When you step inside The Greenbrier, known as America’s Resort, you feel like you are transported back in time to an era when society’s best retreated to the fresh air of the Allegheny Mountains to “take the waters” of White Sulphur Springs in West Virginia and mingle with the rich and famous. Southern belles were courted by suitors, presidents relaxed over the mountain views, and royalty came for the ultimate luxury retreat. The Greenbrier has been welcoming guests since 1778 and offers a timeless luxury experience that is unlike any other resort we’ve visited, and we’ve been to our fair share across the globe. It is regarded as one of the finest luxury resorts around the world, and we can vouch for its exceptional southern hospitality. We truly enjoyed the warmth and friendliness of its staff, most of whom have worked there for their whole lives. Our favorite staff member was Russell, who has worked there for 40 years and gave us a private tour of the Presidential Suite. His sense of humor and fun personality made our day!
The Greenbrier has so much to offer its guests with 710 beautiful guest rooms, gorgeous suites, historic cottages, a guests-only casino, five golf courses, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, and over 55 activities including falconry! This magnificent resort is a National Historic Landmark that has welcomed 26 American presidents as well as royalty and celebrities from around the world for centuries. Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, JFK, Debbie Reynolds, Lionel Ritchie, Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Simpson, and Jennifer Garner are just a few of the famous visitors who have graced these halls. The Greenbrier maintains its old-school charm by requiring guests to dress to impress, with jackets and ties required for men in the dining room. I loved having a reason to dress up, and my handsome husband does clean up nicely!
Beneath its gorgeous facade, the Greenbrier was hiding a U.S. government top secret for over 30 years. Did you know that a bunker to protect Congress from nuclear fall-out lies beneath the Greenbrier, which has now been declassified and is open for guided tours? There’s so much fascinating history in this resort, which once served as a military hospital and temporary home for foreign diplomats during WWII. Don’t miss the free guided interior and exterior tours and the paid bunker tour to learn the rich history of this place.
The Greenbrier has been on my bucket list ever since Bertaut attended a work event there several years ago. His photos of the hotel decorated for Christmas made me green with envy and I’ve been pestering him to take me there ever since. This year we were able to enjoy it together for the holidays, and it was truly a Christmas experience to remember. It fully lived up to, surpassed even, my expectations as a magical and romantic place that will put anyone, even Scrooge, in the Christmas spirit. For the holidays it transforms into a winter wonderland with gorgeous Christmas decorations, tree lighting ceremonies, carolers, visits from Santa, afternoon tea, Christmas musicals, sleigh and carriage rides, ice skating, and more! I am a sucker for anything Christmas, so I fell in love at first sight with The Greenbrier as we drove up to see the giant twinkling Christmas tree and lights adorning the trees outside. Once inside, my love for this place grew deeper with each and every ornately decorated Christmas tree, fresh garland swag, bow-adorned wreath, and poinsettia I encountered. Not only do I love Christmas, but I also have a thing for interior design, so the Greenbrier completely blew me away with the stunning decor by Dorothy Draper from the 1940’s. I realize that her colorful bold style is not for everyone, but I think she was a genius and her unique style makes this place what it is today- one-of-a-kind! I was head over heels for The Greenbriers’s color palette, vibrant textiles, unique pattern combinations, and overall look that oozes luxury. I took hundreds of photos of this fabulous resort and grounds in the 2 days that we visited because it is so beautiful everywhere you look. I was snap-happy! I have painstakingly whittled down that number to take you on a photo tour of the famous Greenbrier at Christmas. Welcome to the Greenbrier, America’s Resort, through our eyes! If you’re anything like me, you will want to pack your bags to come visit this extraordinary place yourself. More to come on the blog soon about my sublime visit to their world-renowned spa and the opulent Presidential Suite!
Image by The Greenbrier. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas at The Greenbrier!
The Greenbrier is a National Historic Landmark that has been welcoming guests since 1778
Foyer of The Greenbrier, America’s Resort, decked out in garland, bows, and poinsettias for Christmas
Foyer at the Greenbrier with bold carpet and beautiful color combinations
Cheers to champagne at check-in at The Greenbrier, America’s Resort. Now that’s southern hospitality!
This edible Christmas display at The Greenbrier was made of over 1,000 pounds of chocolate by the Executive Pastry Chef
Image by The Greenbrier. Decorations for the annual Christmas Eve Gingerbread Ball
Dramatic stairway with a carpet in the colors of Christmas leading to the upper lobby at The Greenbrier
The Greenbrier’s upper lobby set up for complimentary afternoon tea. This is our favorite room in the resort!
Service with a smile from the friendly staff at The Greenbrier during afternoon tea and always
Delicious assortment of cookies and cakes for afternoon tea at The Greenbrier on a table adorned by fresh flowers
We loved every moment at The Greenbrier, but especially relaxing for afternoon tea by the fire with live piano music
Live piano music at The Greenbrier for afternoon tea is a daily treat for guests
Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by for tea and cakes at The Greenbrier
Afternoon tea and cakes for Santa at The Greenbrier that look almost too pretty to eat
The Greenbrier donates over $1 million in toys to charities with the Dream Tree for Kids at Christmas
This cozy fireplace warms the upper lobby at The Greenbrier and is the perfect spot to relax with a good book and cup of tea
Don’t miss live cabaret performances nightly at The Greenbrier and Christmas caroling around the resort
The Lobby Bar at The Greenbrier boasts a chandelier from Gone with the Wind and has the perfect color scheme for Christmas
The Lobby Bar served originally as a game room at The Greenbrier
The exquisite Victorian Writing Room at The Greenbrier looks like Christmas all year long with Dorothy Draper’s classic red and green
Even the windows are dressed up for Christmas at The Greenbrier to match the gorgeous drapery
The Greenbrier decks the halls for Christmas with fresh greenery swags to match the rhododendron leaf carpet and red chairs
Classic touches of Christmas can be found all over The Greenbrier
I adored how they matched the Christmas decor to the decor of each room so perfectly at The Greenbrier
This color combo was one of my favorites just outside the casino at The Greenbrier. So vivid, bold, and rich!
The music room at The Greenbrier had a more muted palette and was dressed up with two beautiful Christmas trees
Image by The Greenbrier. Cameo ballroom in its Christmas splendor.
The Greenbrier decorated the entrance to the main dining room with this pretty poinsettia tree
The main dining room at The Greenbrier was decorated elegantly with wreaths at Christmas
Prime 44 West, The Greenbrier’s steak house, was decorated with trees and wreaths for Christmas
This hallway at The Greenbrier is red and green yearlong, but isn’t it especially lovely for Christmas!
Guests at The Greenbrier can enjoy free movies in the theater, including classics like It’s a Wonderful Life at Christmas
This Christmas tree by the pool at The Greenbrier was one of my favorites with its bright tropical colors and bird theme to match decor
Make sure to check out the beautiful indoor pool at The Greenbrier, remodeled in the 1940’s by Dorothy Draper
The casino is described as “Monte Carlo meets Gone with the Wind” at The Greenbrier
Dorothy Draper’s favorite colors red and green decorate the casino at The Greenbrier all year long, but are especially nice at Christmas
The casino at The Greenbrier offers complimentary champagne toasts every night and dancing by their Springhouse Entertainers
Our room at The Greenbrier was very cozy, cheerful and inviting thanks to historic Dorothy Draper decor
Ice-skate and then warm up with hot cocoa and s’mores at the fire pit outside The Greenbrier
Don’t miss the Christmas musical performed in the chapel at The Greenbrier by their Springhouse Entertainers. So much talent!
Splurge for a carriage or sleigh ride while at The Greenbrier for Christmas to explore the 11,000 acre estate
Image by The Greenbrier. Sleigh ride past the charming Paradise Row Cottages. We didn’t have snow but this would’ve been romantic
Look at this sunrise over the Allegheny Mountains we captured from our room at The Greenbrier
The Spring House reminds us why people first came to The Greenbrier- for the healing sulphur waters of White Sulphur Springs
Take a walk around the pretty grounds and the meditation walk through the mountains while at The Greenbrier to relax
Walk or ride the shuttle over to Slammin’ Sammy’s sports bar at The Greenbrier to see its traditional Christmas decorations
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4 comments
The Greenbrier looks like a Hollywood movie dream! What a romantic way to spend Xmas.
It was such a lovely place indeed Gemma!
Such a charming and cozy place, especially at Christmas time. I would be thrilled to stay here some day!
Kallsy, you would love it. It has a bunker that was to be used by congrès in case of nuclear fallout. It was a hidden secret known by the locals for decades.
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