With a dusting of snow upon tree branches, The Greenbrier, nestled in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, welcomes guests to indulge in the splendor of the region, intriguing American history, and top-tier hospitality.
The Greenbrier proudly displays the “Modern Baroque” style of Dorothy Draper.
If one were to flip through The Greenbrier’s guest book, an astonishing lineup of signatures would fill the pages: records indicating presidents from John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush, royalty, and movie stars. Tucked amid the peaceful rolling hills of an ancient mountain range, yet a mere four-hour drive from the nation’s capital, the hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, has established itself as an American icon.
Viewed through an enfilade, the Victorian Writing Room showcases an antique marble mantel flanked by pairs of wing chairs, scalloped tables, and Asian tea-canister lamps—an arrangement determined by the interior designer in the 1940s.
The Greenbrier’s history is filled with legend and mystery. Roots reach back to 1778, when travelers discovered natural springs in the area, taking to the water to bathe and drink, as they believed it held healing properties. Tent camps formed to soak up the area’s majesty, soon developing into clusters of cottages and the earliest stages of a resort. In 1858, The Grand Central Hotel was built, but in 1910, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway purchased the property and constructed The Greenbrier in its grandeur as it stands today.
A selection of twenty restaurants, bars, and lounges allows guests to sample a variety of renowned cuisines and beverages. The Main Dining Room has served patrons since its opening in 1913, featuring seasonal ingredients and regional fare amid the relaxing sounds of a string quartet.
During the Second World War, the resort was converted into Ashford General Hospital to tend wounded Army soldiers. As fighting ceased, the space needed a makeover, and interior decorator Dorothy Draper traveled from New York to survey the postwar scene.
Equipped with a bold vision, the designer breathed a new life into the hotel, beautifying The Greenbrier in her signature style, brimming with striking colors and dramatic patterns. Across the sprawling property with nearly seven hundred guest rooms, careful attention to detail is a treat for the eyes.
When January’s lowest average temperature hovers near twenty degrees, there is no better way to spend a winter’s afternoon than bundled up to explore the 11,000-acre property in a horse-drawn carriage, reminiscent of the mode of travel early settlers may have used to traverse the terrain more than a century before.
As icy winter wind whistles about the trees and Yuletide décor is packed away, anticipation for the New Year rings. From ice skating and sleigh rides to sumptuous eateries, patrons may welcome January with rejuvenated spirits.
Text Lydia McMullen
Photography courtesy The Greenbrier
Discover more enchanting locales in the January/February 2025 issue, available on newsstands and at victoriamag.com.
