The Greenbrier — Thoughts Tips & Tricks
Musings and thoughts Miles and I've had about our trip to America’s Resort in the autumn with our pup…
We traveled from our home in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia (often thought of as America’s most dog friendly city) to the newly proclaimed pet friendly Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, USA.
The Furry Princess loved it, and we loved taking her! And didn’t she look so cute in her outfits?!!
Speaking of outfits. The Greenbrier has a dress code. It’s old fashioned, famed, and fabulous! It’s seriously a huge part of the experience. And they enforce it too — I saw people turned away at Carltons. It’s not everywhere at the Resort, but also, it kinda is. If you don’t like it. Don’t book a trip. You’ll just be uncomfortable.
In a world that becomes more and more casual by the minute. I appreciate a dress code sometimes. It’s part of the mystique, allure, the charm of the trip. I feel like the dress code romanticizes the experience. I guess that’s the girly-girl in me. And while I do have opinions on the dress code, it’s not just the dress code I think about when it comes to the Greenbrier. There’s more! lol.
Just like your outfits change with the seasons, I do believe so does your experience at The Greenbrier. Our last family vacation to America’s Resort was in the Fall.
It was warmer then I would have liked for my planned autumn outfits. But not warm enough, and booked enough, to have the outdoor pool open except for Saturday. I mention the pool to illustrate the nuance of the trip by season.
I wanted to share some additional musings and thoughts Miles, my husband, and I had about our last trip to America’s Resort…
I hope they help you plan & pack.
xx, Jen-Marie
Getting there …
It’s 4 hours by car and 6ish by train.
Alexandria’s train station (ALX) is so charming. Nestled in between the King Street Metro and the Masonic Memorial, it looks like something you’d see in a Hallmark movie.
You can hop a train from the ALX station straight to White Sulfur Springs (WSS). There’s various stops and it takes about 6 and a quarter hours to get there. The Greenbrier is waiting with a shuttle that will take you, and your luggage, directly to the reception lobby.
It’s a pretty neat experience, something I think everyone should do at least once. I’d also recommend packing a picnic lunch to take with you. (Miles thought the food on the train was fine. I did not.)
We drove this time, but I did notice that there were pet tickets available on Amtrak, along with bicycle tickets that were sold out — just an FYI for cycling enthusiasts.
The drive was an absolute breeze by the way, even with construction just outside of Staunton. It’s a couple hours quicker than the train. Also, if you’re looking for a dinner spot on the drive defiantly stop at Mrs Rowe’s Family Restaurant where you can get homemade pot roast, pie, and the like.
Spa …
Centuries ago people flocked to White Sulfur Springs because of the healing properties of the water! They came to “take the waters”, and people haven’t stopped craving that sacred water medicine. Still today, the spa at the Greenbrier offers specialty baths along with other services.
Of all the services I received, if I picked one to recommend it would be the Greenbrier Sulphur Soak as it’s unique to the resort.
I also want to tell you the neat little secret we found out about the spa. I had something booked every day but Miles didn’t. What we discovered is you can enjoy a steam, sauna, and the relaxation room gratis. Just make sure to bring a little cash for a tip.
Also, book early. And entire NFL football team checked-in while we were there. And they took-up a lot of the spa appointments. lol.
Multigenerational Vacation …
This particular trip was celebrating a milestone birthday for my mummy. And while there are lots of activities there is also a lot to do that’s not an “activity”, or doesn’t cost extra money.
My parents very much enjoyed the complimentary architecture tour one morning. Reading their books on the side porch overlooking absolutely stunning earth. Walking the exquisitely manicured grounds, with their grand-doggie, and taking her to the complimentary tea, with live music, every afternoon.
Bunker …
It’s amazing to me that something so massive was hidden in plain sight. This is almost an obligatory tour. If you go to the Greenbrier, and don’t take the tour, people will look at you funny. The tour is resort casual attire, you should wear comfy shoes, and you cannot take pictures.
Actually, I don’t know what’s more remarkable. The fact that The Greenbrier — America’s Resort — housed a secret bunker for the United States Congress during the Cold War. Or that Miles and I made it an hour and a half without our iPhones touring it!
The tour takes you through the fallout shelter. One of the rooms I found particularly intriguing was the briefing room. Members of Congress could theoretically communicate with their constituency via television from this space, and there were backdrops that matched the literal seasons. The psychology, of course being, that shooting in front of these clever murals would keep the public calm in the event of an attack, and make it look like everything was stable.
Dining …
Check with the concierge when you arrive. Some places aren’t open every day. It also seemed like the hours of some of the restaurants were shorted since our last trip. So you want to make reservations and plans accordingly.
Something for everyone …
There’s so many activities at the Greenbrier, but there’s also profound contentment in just being still.
Time by the pool, or lunch at Slamming Sammy’s had the most incredible views. Café Carlton had outstanding live entertainment on Friday and Saturday night. Miles likes to indulge in a little blackjack at the casino. While I think a horseback ride is spectacular — it’s a great way to see the property. A carriage ride will give you a similar experience, and when it snows, the carriage turns into a sleigh. How magical is that?
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