The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia is a destination in itself. With activities that include golf, a spa, a Culinary Arts Center, an Off-Road Driving School, swimming, mountain biking, trap and skeet shooting, kayaking, whitewater rafting and bowling, the Greenbrier can provide people of all ages and interests something to do.

These sulphur springs were found to have medicinal properties in the late 1700’s, drawing travelers to the area. In the 1800’s, a hotel and cottages were built and then in 1910, the property was bought by the C & O Railroad who constructed the central part of the hotel that exists today. World War II saw the property sold to the U.S. Army and it became Ashford General Hospital but, after the war, it was re-sold to C & O.

Today, the 6,500 acre resort has AAA Five Diamond status, their highest award. The interior of the hotel is both unique and beautiful. In the 1950’s, designer Dorothy Draper was hired to redecorate The Greenbrier. From their Main Lobby, which is actually a series of lobbies and sitting rooms,to the guest rooms, all have the Dorothy Draper touch with bright colors and floral designs. The Dorothy Draper look of The Greenbrier is maintained today by a company that bears her name.

This National Historic Landmark offers 721 rooms which includes 33 suites and 96 guest and estate houses. All rooms have in- room safes, wireless internet, terry cloth robes and, of course, their delicious room service menu. The Baltimore Row guest houses were once the summer retreat of Robert E. Lee.

If relaxation on a vacation is your goal, The Greenbrier’s Spa has treatments for women, men and teens in their 40,000 square foot facility. When a woman was supposedly cured from rheumatism by the local waters in 1778, the waters here became famous. By the 1920’s, the mineral baths and other treatments were part of a department at the hotel. Today, they still use freshly drawn mineral and sulphur water in private baths, Swiss showers and other treatments. Aromatherapy, massage and beauty treatments such as facials, manicures and pedicures are also available.

The Greenbrier’s program for teens and tweens includes the spa where they offer four special treatments: a Teen Facial, Footloose (a teen pedicure), Hands Down (a teen manicure) and the ME2 package which is a mini manicure and pedicure.

They also have many activities for children, teens and tweens. Guests 13 and older can choose from hikes, horseback riding, private tennis lessons and kayaking trips. The Adventure Zone has full-day and evening programs for kids ages 6-12 and other programs for children as young as 3. These combine intellectual pursuits such as art appreciation and activities such as swimming and bowling.

The Culinary Arts Center has seasonal day-long classes where children ages 6-12 learn kitchen safety and prepare dishes which their parents sample at the end of the day. (The Culinary Arts Center also offers classes for grown-ups where they sample their creations at the end of the day and have a glass of wine.)

If something a little more energetic suits you, guests 16 and older (under 18 with a parent) can get behind the wheel of a luxury SUV and have a one to three hour off-road driving course. Kayaking classes are offered and last 2 ½ hours with paddling on the Greenbrier or Jackson Rivers. Horseback riding (pony rides for the younger kids), mountain biking with bikes available for renting, falconry lessons and fishing are all offered at The Greenbrier.

Golf began at The Greenbrier in 1910 and has a long history of both amateur and professionals playing here from pro golfer Tom Watson, the resort’s Golf Professional Emeritus, to singer and actor Bing Crosby. The Golf Digest Academy here is a golf instructional facility with Golf Digest Professionals who are able to give lessons to golfers both new and experienced.

Today, The Greenbrier has three golf courses: The Old White Course, The Greenbrier Course and The Meadows Course. The Old White first opened in 1914 and was restored two years ago with some of the golf holes modeled after famous European holes. The Greenbrier Course opened in 1924 and was redesigned by Jack Nicklaus for the 1979 International Ryder Cup Matches. The Meadows Course opened in 1910 and was rebuilt by Dick Wilson in the 1960’s.

Dining varies from formal to casual at The Greenbrier’s seven restaurants. The Main Dining room serves breakfast and dinner nightly. Breakfast offers fresh squeezed juices and other breakfast favorites. The dress code is casual but in a collared shirt, sweater, slacks and walking shorts way. Dinner can be either a la carte or as a tasting menu and may change nightly. The dress code for dinner is formal: jacket and tie for men, dresses or evening suits for women. Children over 10 are required to dress similar to adults.

Hemisphere is the newest restaurant at The Greenbrier. Globally influenced dishes are served in a formal environment that requires jackets of men. Other restaurants include the seasonal Draper’s Café which offers a breakfast buffet, soda fountain specialties and casual dinners, plus Sam Snead’s at the Golf Club which offers fine dining in a more relaxed environment with an open kitchen and wood-burning oven. Dress here is casual (collared sport shirt, slacks or walking shorts).

Now for the hidden Greenbrier - the bunker. Under a section of the hotel is a top secret Cold War facility, a home for Congress after the bomb dropped. Built from 1958- 1962, for 30 years this 112,544 square foot bunker was kept in constant readiness until exposed by a Washington Post magazine article in 1992. Closed by the government in 1995, it’s now open for public tours.

The Greenbrier has played host to 26 presidents, royalty, politicians and celebrities such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Judy Garland (they couldn’t share the names of current celebrities.) Many activities are seasonal so call to check on your favorites.

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.