Greenbrier Fact Sheet
Property: The Greenbrier is an award-winning resort located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. A National Historic Landmark, The Greenbrier represents 230 years of history with its classic architecture, exquisite interior design, carefully sculpted landscape, impeccable service and outstanding amenities. This renowned property offers 721 rooms, including 33 suites and 96 guest and estate houses. The Greenbrier has 10 lobbies, over 40 meeting rooms and a complete conference center facility. Guests enjoy over 50 recreational activities including three championship golf courses, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a 40,000 square foot spa, and a wide variety of other amenities. The Greenbrier provides accommodations and activities to please individuals, couples, families and conference groups.
Location: The beautiful Allegheny Mountains in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia provide the setting for The Greenbrier’s 6,500 acre estate. Located just off Interstate 64, The Greenbrier is easily accessible from most major cities by air, auto or train.
History: In the late 1700s, the sulphur springs were discovered as a medicinal miracle and as word of their healing powers spread, more and more travelers came to the area. These visitors began building a cottage community in the early 1800s and in 1858, The Grand Central Hotel, commonly known as the Old White Hotel, was added to provide additional guest rooms and a dining room. In 1910, the C & O Railway purchased the property, including the cottages and hotel, for $150,000. That same year, construction began on the central portion of today’s Greenbrier. During World War II, the property was sold to the U.S. Army and became known as Ashford General Hospital. After the war, C & O repurchased the property and hired the renowned interior designer Dorothy Draper to completely redecorate The Greenbrier.
During the height of the Cold War, the U.S. Government built a relocation facility for Congress at The Greenbrier. This 112,544 square-foot bunker, although never activated, remained a top secret for 30 years. Today, daily tours are offered of this one-of-a-kind facility. The resort boasts more than two centuries of famous guests, including 26 presidents, royalty, business leaders, politicians and celebrities.
The Greenbrier’s archives are maintained and displayed in the Presidents’ Cottage Museum.
In May 2009, the Justice Family Group, led by Jim Justice, a third generation West Virginian, purchased the resort.
Dining: The Greenbrier’s newest restaurant, Prime 44 West is a premiere steakhouse honoring NBA legend and West Virginia native Jerry West. The restaurant’s warm and inviting atmosphere coupled with its cuisine, featuring exceptional cuts of beef from West Virginia and around the globe, embodies comfortable dining at its finest.
Breakfast and dinner are served daily in the elegant Main Dining Room and are comprised of a delectable combination of classical, continental and American cuisine prepared by a team of chefs, many of whom were trained in The Greenbrier Culinary Apprenticeship Program.
Draper’s, named for the famed designer Dorothy Draper, serves lunch and offers dessert and soda fountain specialties.
Sam Snead’s at the Golf Club is open seasonally for lunch and dinner and offers a perfect blend of fine dining in a relaxed environment. An open kitchen with a wood-burning oven adds to the ambience, and diners enjoy sweeping views of the resort’s three golf courses and the majestic mountains beyond.
Also located at the Golf Club is Slammin’ Sammy’s, serving snacks with large screen televisions for sports viewing as well as billiards, foosball and other games.
The Lobby Bar exemplifies the classic elegance that pervades the resort. The warm and inviting alcove is ideal for enjoying an aperitif or meeting friends for an after-dinner cocktail. The Lobby Bar is located adjacent to the Upper Lobby.
The Rhododendron Café, located adjacent to the indoor pool, offers a wide range of healthy snacks and beverages.
Located at the outdoor pool, Tree Tops Café offers guests a casual lunch option surrounded by the perfect outdoors setting.
Golf: In 2010, The Greenbrier Classic will welcome the world’s greatest players. This PGA TOUR, FedExCup event, will be played July 26-August 1 on the historic, links-style Old White Course. Since 1910, golf has been an important part of life at The Greenbrier. With three championship courses and The Greenbrier Golf Academy, The Greenbrier is unmatched in its dedication to golfers. The first eighteen hole course, The Old White was designed by Charles Blair MacDonald in 1914. The course was recently restored as part of a four-year project to return its original design by Lester George. The Greenbrier Course was built in 1924 and renovated in 1977 by Jack Nicklaus. In 1979 the Greenbrier Course hosted the International Ryder Cup Matches and in 1994, was the site of the Solheim Cup Matches. The Meadows Course, formerly known as the Lakeside Course, reopened in 1999 after a complete course redesign by Robert Cupp. Also in 1994, The Greenbrier named the legendary Sam Snead as the resort’s Golf Professional Emeritus, a position he held until his death in 2002. In 2005, Tom Watson became The Greenbrier’s second Golf Professional Emeritus. The Greenbrier’s golf facilities also include Sam Snead’s at the Golf Club and Slammin’ Sammy’s. The Golf Club prominently features Snead and Watson memorabilia.
Recreation: For guests who prefer other forms of recreation, The Greenbrier offers a variety of activities. The Greenbrier’s Culinary Arts Center offers hands on classes for children and adults. Guests may also enjoy The Greenbrier Off-Road Driving School, sporting clays, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, croquet, mountain biking, falconry, trap and skeet shooting, tennis, kayaking, whitewater rafting, bowling, hiking and jogging trails, horseback riding and carriage rides and fishing.
Gaming: The Tavern Casino, discreetly located in a stylish lounge in the Virginia Wing, is The Greenbrier’s introductory gaming facility. Encompassing 3,700 square feet, this sophisticated venue features table games, including blackjack, roulette and three card poker as well as slot machines, featuring a mix of 25 cent, $1 and $5 reel spinning machines, video poker and low denomination video slots. The highly anticipated Casino at The Greenbrier, an underground, Monte Carlo-style complex will open in April of 2010.
Spa: For more than two centuries, guests have been attracted to The Greenbrier's sulphur springs and the natural benefits of the minerals remain at the heart of The Greenbrier Spa experience. The Greenbrier Spa's treatments complement today's lifestyle, with greater attention to the healing powers of natural essences and minerals that have been trusted for centuries. Treatments include The Greenbrier Signature Treatment, Detox Kur, Ayurvedic Head Massage, Traditional Thai Massage, Body Scrub Odysseys and Mineral Body Mask. Other services include facials, hydrotherapy treatments, body fusions, manicures, pedicures and waxing services.
Shopping: No trip to The Greenbrier is complete without a bit of shopping. With over 30 stores, shopping at The Greenbrier is a delight all its own. Most of the shops are located in the hotel’s lower level, including The Greenbrier Shoppe and Newsstand, Carleton Varney Gift Gallery, Kate's Mountain Outfitters, The Greenbrier Gourmet Shop and many others. The Art Colony on Alabama Row features a collection of shops with unique handcrafted items and exceptional pieces of original art. Finally, The Christmas Shop at the Depot is located across from the main entrance and is open year round with gifts and decorations to make every Christmas special.
Conference Center: With many guests visiting as part of a conference, The Greenbrier is the ideal location for groups from 10 to 1200. Offering over 85,000 square feet of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting areas and more than 40 meeting rooms and event venues The Greenbrier’s dedicated conference services team is devoted to providing the best in conference management, amenities and service.
Affiliations: The Greenbrier is a founding member of the Historic Hotels Of America, proudly hosting guests since 1778. The Greenbrier’s unparalleled history and timeless architecture reflect a commitment to this distinctive honor. The resort is also affiliated with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, a global brand of independently owned luxury hotels and resorts, providing the highest standards of quality and extraordinary service.
Contact:
Lynn Swann, Director of Public Relations
The Greenbrier
304-536-7857
800-624-6070
lynn_swann@greenbrier.com
