The Greenbrier – West Virginia Luxury Resort

In the beautiful hills of West Virginia can be found a five-star retreat that has hosted 26 United States Presidents and is a destination for those who wish to be active or just relax. The small town of White Sulphur Springs provides the railroad station, postal address, and community for the resort.


The Main Building of the Greenbrier

Vast rooms with stunning décor welcome guests to The Greenbrier. The vibrant colors captivate the senses and set the space apart from the average hotel. Closed during the Second World War, when the hotel re-opened, the noted decorator, Dorothy Draper, was commissioned to adorn the premises with her unique style.

Guest rooms are individually decorated and throughout the hotel is the signature rhododendron that Draper used as a symbol of the West Virginia hills. The leaves, blossoms, and full blooms are found in stunning array on wallpaper, carpets, bedspreads, window treatments and even bathroom tiles.

Partaking of meals in the main dining room is a genteel experience. The breakfast buffet includes an array of hot and cold items; lunch can be as simple as a Caesar’s salad or as complex as multi-courses. Dinner offers a selection of entrees, wine, and white glove service. There are also casual dining opportunities in other areas of the hotel and grounds.

A pleasant tradition is the afternoon tea served from 4:15 to 5:00 p.m. daily. An assortment of teas and a vast array of pastries are served while classical music is played.

Activities on the Property

Golf, horseback riding, walking trails, swimming pools, a bowling alley, full spa, and special events are but a few of the options available at The Greenbrier. The setting in the Allegheny Mountains is beautiful any time of year. It is a destination resort catering to couples, families, corporate events and distinguished visitors.

First-run movies are shown frequently in the resort’s theatre while guests munch on fresh-popped popcorn. The corridors on the theatre level are filled with photographs of famous guests and display cases house memorabilia from State Dinners, awards presentations, menus from prior meals, and unique items.

Special holiday packages bring particular events to the resort. Easter includes visits with the Easter Bunny and an egg hunt on the lawn. Christmas has Santa in residence, carol singing, and a Holiday Ball. Family activities abound and with an extensive choice of accommodations, including detached homes and cottages, there is plenty of space for large gatherings.

Recently a casino has been added, available only to resort guests, and tastefully located underground.

The President’s Cottage Museum

Nestled on the hillside above the original sulphur spring, is a charming building that became the President’s Cottage. When there was no Camp David retreat, sitting presidents rode the train from Washington to White Sulphur Springs to spend time in the peaceful mountains.



Tours of the cottage view the rooms where former presidents stayed and include archives that provide a glimpse into history. The on-site docent provides background information and can answer any questions.

The Underground Bunker

At the height of the Cold War, a secret facility was constructed at The Greenbrier. Located underground, the huge arrangement contained working and living space for both houses of Congress in the event of nuclear attack. Tours of the decommissioned bunker are now available and provide a glimpse into the anxiety that prevailed in the Cold War period when the threat of a nuclear strike was very real.

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The Greenbrier was selected for this facility due to its location: close enough to Washington, D.C., yet secluded. The major construction was carefully planned and purported to be an improvement for the hotel.



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The resort utilized many of the bunker facilities for Conferences, with guests having no idea of the true purpose of the large meeting space. The tour enters through one of the three entrances, a huge steel door leading into the hillside. From there, it passes through a decontamination chamber and into self-contained living quarters with dormitories, medical facilities, communication headquarters, and cafeteria. At the conclusion of the tour, participants are led back into the hotel directly through a cleverly designed steel door which would have sealed off access.


Author Paul Linus


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