The Greenbrier
4.5(4.2K)google
3.3(368)yelp
ResortLuxuryHistoric BuildingSpaGolfFamily
Overview
Dubbed 'America's Resort,' The Greenbrier is a world-renowned, luxury historic landmark nestled amid the scenic Allegheny Mountains in White Sulphur Springs. Operating since 1778, this massive National Historic Landmark features exquisite interior designs by Dorothy Draper, championship golf courses, and an expansive mineral spa. The resort also houses a famous, once-secret subterranean Cold War bunker constructed beneath its West Virginia Wing, designed to safeguard the entire United States Congress during a nuclear crisis.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration1-3 days
Best TimeOne of America's most historic luxury resorts (having hosted dozens of US presidents), marvelous year-round. However, early summer (May-June) for pristine estate garden blooms, or December for extravagant holiday decorations are spectacular. Regardless of the season, booking an early morning tour of the legendary declassified Cold War bunker built beneath the West Wing to shelter Congress is a mandatory historic experience.
Getting ThereWhile a private historic estate, it is highly accessible and features its own travel connections. By car, take Interstate 64 to Exit 175, turning onto Main Street to reach the main security gates at 300 W Main St, opening into valet and self-parking areas. Uniquely, the Amtrak Cardinal train line stops directly at the White Sulphur Springs Station (WSS), positioned directly across the street from the resort's entry gates.
Travel Tips
- The resort enforces a strict, historic dress code dating back to 1778. In the main dining rooms, lobby, and casino after 7:00 PM, men are legally or policy-required to wear a sports jacket; women must wear dress attire. Denim and sneakers are banned.
- The historic Cold War Bunker Tour requires separate, advance ticket purchases and sells out quickly. Because the bunker is a highly secure historical site, cell phones, cameras, voice recorders, and all wireless electronic devices are strictly banned inside.
- Day-visitors without an official hotel, dining, spa, bunker tour, or golf reservation confirmation QR code are charged a steep per-person Day Pass fee at the front gate guardhouse. Book an official activity in advance to waive this fee.
Reviews
Positive
- This historic luxury resort exudes ultimate high-society class, highlighted by iconic, vibrant Dorothy Draper interior design masterpieces.
- The hidden Cold War era declassified congressional underground fallout bunker tour is mind-blowing, offering a peerless historical journey.
- The immense resort grounds bundle championship golf courses, equestrian centers, historic sulfur spas, and a casino for endless leisure.
- The hospitality execution sets the industry ceiling; every uniformed staff member handles your stay with legendary, white-glove attentiveness.
Heads up
- The base room rates, restaurant bills, and activities are highly expensive, layered with mandatory resort and historic preservation fees.
- The property strictly enforces a traditional formal evening dress code across main halls; casual wearers will face polite entrance denials.
- Following decades of grand expansions, the inner corridors form a sprawling labyrinth, causing first-time guests to easily get lost searching for rooms.
- Despite the luxury price tag, some historic wing guestrooms suffer from thinner wall insulation, leaking corridor footsteps and floor creaks at night.