We stayed at The Greenbrier® – America’s Resort in early February 2016, and were impressed with its attractive setting, diverse amenities, and immaculate grounds, and with the staff who went the extra mile to ensure guest satisfaction.
The Greenbrier® – America’s Resort
Located directly across from the Amtrak White Sulphur Springs station (WSS) traveling to The Greenbrier® – America’s Resort by rail from New York on the Cardinal line (Train 51) in the new Business class service that launched in late January 2016, had its advantages with reclining spacious leather seats, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, dining car, complimentary AmtrakConnect® WiFi and unlimited access to The New York Times and Washington Post digital newspapers as cellular service permitted along the route, point-to-point accessibility, and resort shuttle to The Greenbrier. Guests traveling longer distances (the route originates in New York and continues on to Chicago via Washington, D.C.) will appreciate the opportunity to upgrade to Sleeper Car accommodations. At present, the Cardinal line operates three days per week and offers Coach, Business, and Sleeping car service.
Debra C. Argen boarding Amtrak Cardinal Train
As we made our way by train from New York we passed many historical areas along with scenic views of horse farms, cattle grazing in wide open pastures, the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains, and the Shenandoah Valley, and had the rare delight of watching bald eagles in flight soaring past the windows of the train against a bright blue sky.
Edward F. Nesta relaxing in Amtrak Business Class
Arriving at The Greenbrier® – America’s Resort, we appreciated the high glamour that runs throughout the hotel with its soaring ceilings and floor to ceiling windows opulently dressed with colorful floral window treatments. Our eyes were drawn to sumptuously ornate chandeliers including two 600-pound chandeliers used as props on the set of the 1939 Gone with The Wind movie that were purchased from the collection of actor and Hollywood movie memorabilia collector Debbie Reynolds, located outside the Main Dining Room’s Tea Garden and in the Lobby Bar.
The décor and ambience recall its elegant history as a hotel dating back to 1778 with large attractive public spaces to relax including the Victorian Writing Room where guests can sit and write a letter on the hotel’s stationery.
Victorian Writing Room
The inviting Lobby Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or play a game of chess or checkers, and there are many other areas to sit and converse with friends. We loved walking around the grounds and inside the hotel, discovering its delightful secrets, and soaking up its gracious ambience, including that of the Cameo Ballroom and imagined how wonderful it would be to dance there dressed in evening attire.
Guestrooms are well-appointed with thoughtful amenities to ensure sweet dreams. Our spacious king bedroom had a walk-in closet with safe, iron and ironing board, robes and slippers, shoe horn, clothes brush, and an umbrella.
Guestroom
Two nightstands flanked the well-dressed king bed with its inviting assortment of pillows, two comfortable chairs placed in front of the windows flanked a round table with a live philodendron plant and a chinoiserie lamp, and the desk was large enough to work on or write out postcards. There was a large chest of drawers for longer stay guests, a mini bar, and a large television, along with an assortment of magazines.
Especially nice was the windowed dressing room with sink and large vanity area with a stool and lighted make-up mirror off the spacious black and white marble bathroom with a plethora of inviting Greenbrier branded amenities, and hairdryer.
Restaurants and Culinary Indulgences
Foodies and cocktail lovers will appreciate the 12 restaurants and 7 bars and lounges to appeal to diverse palates ranging from casual to fine dining experiences.
Upper Lobby
Gracious hospitality includes Morning Coffee Service served from 6:00 am until 9:00 am, and daily Afternoon Tea with a concert from 4:15 pm until 5:00 pm in the attractive Upper Lobby recalls days gone by, with hot and cold tea and assorted cookies, which we found to be the perfect way to relax after a day out exploring.
The resort also has Culinary Demonstrations to tempt your palate and inspire you with chef demos, lunch, and recipes. During our stay, the demonstration was Winter Soups and Stews presented by Justylyn Alair, Rounds Cook.
The Greenbrier® The Winter Soups and Stews Menu
Classic Caesar Salad
(Romaine, Croutons, Grape Tomatoes, Parmesan, Caesar Dressing)
Brisket Chili
(Scallions, Cheddar, and Sour Cream)
Oxtail Stew
(Slowly Cooked Oxtail, Butter Beans, Steamed Rice)
Sandwich
(Half Smokehouse Turkey on Sea Salt Focaccia, Sugar Baked Ham,
Swiss, Pesto Aioli, Tomato, Lettuce)
Fresh Blueberry Cobbler
(Crunch on Top)
Eggs Benedict
We began each morning by having breakfast in the Main Dining Room, where the elegant appointments and fresh coffee stirred our senses. Elaborate crystal chandeliers with green crystal accents sparkled in the sunlight streaming in from the oversize windows, and antique portraits in gilt frames graced walls the color of buttercups. Tables were dressed in pristine ivory linens accessorized with green water goblets and custom designed pink and white china decorated with a rhododendron, the symbol of the resort.
Pancakes
In addition to the a la carte menu, the restaurant offers a lovely breakfast buffet featuring made to order omelets, various types of eggs, sausages, bacon, smoked salmon and all the trimmings, breakfast potatoes, cereals, fruits, yogurt, pastries, pancakes, blintzes, muffins, sticky buns, rolls, breads, and bagels, and much more, which we indulged in one morning. In the evening, the Main Dining Room features fine dining and there is a pianist to complement the cuisine.
The Forum
Smoked Lobster with pasta
We had dinner at The Forum, their Italian restaurant which has a coal-fired pizza oven. A few of the highlights of our dinner included the house made Fried Mozzarella (Mozzarella Fritta) which were three large house made fresh mozzarella balls that were rolled in bread crumbs and deep-fried, accompanied by olive oil poached tomatoes and basil oil, the Sweet Banana Peppers (Peperoni Imbottiti), stuffed with house made sausage, and served with a spicy tomato sauce, the Fried Calamari (Frito Misto), a mélange of tender calamari, shrimp, zucchini, and hot pepper rings, served with two sauces, a fresh basil spicy marinara sauce, and a garlic aioli, and the Smoked Lobster (Aragosto Affumicata) which was a hickory smoked lobster tail nestled on a bed of penne pasta in a fonduta cheese sauce with steamed broccoli.
Prime 44 West
Wagyu Filet Mignon Trio
We also had dinner at Prime 44 West, their upscale steakhouse named for West Virginian native Jerry West, who played at West Virginia University, and later played for, as well as coached the Los Angeles Lakers, part of the National Association of Basketball league, where he won a total of 10 championships. A few of the highlights of our dining experience at Prime 44 West included the Oysters Rockefeller made with creamed spinach, Pernod, and panko breads crumbs, the Sautéed Escargot with black garlic butter sauce, trumpet mushrooms, wilted leeks and toasted sourdough crostini, Lobster Mashed Potatoes, Pan Seared Bay of Fundy Salmon with blue crab, mashed purple potatoes, asparagus and a beurre blanc sauce, and the trio of Wagyu Filet Mignon each topped with a different sauce: Béarnaise, Au Poivre, and a Blue Cheese Crust.
Activities and Adventures
The Greenbrier Golf Course
Although renowned for golf and The Greenbrier® Classic held in July since 2010, there is much more than golfing at the five courses to experience. The resort has over 55 activities including indoor and outdoor tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, bowling, bunker and history tours, fitness classes, nightly movies in the theatre, and a 40,000 square-foot spa, aptly named The Mineral Spa, which offers 55 spa treatments.
The Greenbrier Indoor Pool
For the outdoorsman and outdoorswoman there is an alpine tower, archery, biking, a canopy tour, croquet, falconry, fishing, a gun club, 15 hiking trails, horseback riding, horseshoes, hunting, kayaking, paddle boarding, shooting, and white water rafting. During the winter there is ice skating, horse-drawn carriage or sleigh rides and off-road driving in all seasons, and these are just a small sampling of what is available; imagine the possibilities, then add an extra day or two to your travel plans.
Horseback Riding
During our stay we took a spin around the skating rink and while its safe to say that the Winter Olympics committee will not be calling us anytime soon to join them, we had a great time skating to the music and picking up a few skating tips from Skating Instructor Tyler Hagemo. (Watch the video clip of Tyler Hagemo skating: https://youtu.be/VVRRi7D_7x8
Debra C. Argen and Tyler Hagemo (Skating Instructor)
The hotel has an interesting history and a secret past, which we discovered on their 90-minute Bunker Tour where we learned about the top-secret facility of the Cold War that was "designed to accommodate both the US Senate and House of Representatives in the event of a national emergency" and would have housed up to 1200 people that was kept a secret for 30 years until May 30, 1992.
Bunker Security Door
We also had an exciting 2-hour adventure going Off Road Driving in a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon where we drove through the woods, over streams, and got to experience driving in mud on a few of the 25 off road driving trails where we had excellent views of the Allegheny Mountains. (Read about our Off-Road Driving experience in the Adventures section.)
Edward F. Nesta behind the wheel – Off Road Driving
Guests who enjoy gaming will appreciate the 103,000 square-foot Casino Club which offers 37 types of games. We had fun playing even if Lady Luck was not in our favor, then enjoyed dancing the night away to the DJ music on the ample dance floor of the casino.
Greenbrier Casino Club
For those who like to indulge in "retail therapy" there are 37 upscale shops on premise including their Christmas Shop in the old train depot, that range from clothing shops, jewelers, candy, toys, gift, and souvenir shops to bring home a bit of The Greenbrier® experience.
Christmas Tree Shop
After spending a wonderful weekend at the resort exploring its many possibilities, whatever your idea of a perfect destination wedding, honeymoon, girls’ getaway weekend, family vacation, corporate incentives, or annual meetings site is, you are sure to find it at The Greenbrier® – America’s Resort.
How to get to The Greenbrier® – America’s Resort – by Air, Amtrak, Car
By Air: Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB), served by United Airlines and Silver Airways, is located only 15 minutes away from The Greenbrier. United offers nonstop flights to and from Greenbrier Valley Airport and Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington, D.C.
Other airports convenient to The Greenbrier include Beckley, WV (BKW), Charleston, WV (CRW), and Roanoke, VA (ROA), Virginia, with service provided by major carriers.
Amtrak train arriving
General Aviation/Private Jet Service: Executive jets, chartered aircraft and all other general aviation traffic arrivals also choose the Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB), for its 7,004-foot runway and amenities. The airport is open 24 hours a day throughout the year and offers Air Traffic Control Tower, AWOS, and ILS, VOR and GPS approaches. Services provided include: lav cart, short-term hanger parking, aircraft detailing, GPU, de-icing, baggage handling and forklift. The terminal is state of the art, spacious with WiFi and full pilot services. See more at: www.Greenbrier.com/the-greenbrier/get-here.aspx#sthash.1XCtK68J.dpuf
By Amtrak (www.Amtrak.com): The White Sulphur Springs train station (WSS) is conveniently located next to The Greenbrier’s Christmas Shop at The Depot! Amtrak offers regular train service to The Greenbrier from major cities including Washington, D.C., New York City and Chicago. Guests of The Greenbrier taking Amtrak to White Sulphur Springs can enjoy a 15% discount with promo code: V739. Amtrak also offers a comfortable Business Class car and a Sleeping Car on the Cardinal line.
Amtrak
White Sulphur Springs Station
315 West Main Street
White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986
Station Code: WSS
15% Discount Promo Code: V739
Website: www.Amtrak.com
By Car: It is a scenic drive from Washington, DC or Charleston, West Virginia.
From Interstate 64 West: Exit #181 White Sulphur Springs. At end of exit ramp take a right and proceed for approximately 1.5 miles. The Main Entrance will be on the right.
From Interstate 64 East: Exit #175 White Sulphur Springs. At the end of the ramp take a left; go to the stop sign, turn right and proceed approximately 3.5 miles. The Main Entrance will be on the left.
For PDF of Driving Directions by Major City or to enter an address for custom directions: Click on: www.Greenbrier.com/the-greenbrier/get-here.aspx#sthash.1XCtK68J.dpuf
Read more about our stay at The Greenbrier® – America’s Resort in the Restaurants section: The Forum and Prime 44 West at The Greenbrier – America’s Resort, read the interview and get recipes from Chef Meredith Flavin in the Chefs’ Recipes section, and about our Off Road Driving experience in the Adventures section.
The Greenbrier® – America’s Resort
300 West Main Street
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia 24986
United States
Telephone: +1-855-729-3778 (option 1)
Website: www.Greenbrier.com
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