Style 395: People, Places, and Things With Grand Style: THE GREENBRIER: A PRESIDENTIAL RESORT

THE GREENBRIER: A PRESIDENTIAL RESORT

Spring Break is an unofficial time to relax and regroup. Often as a young person, one ventures to beaches and college-laden places to drink and party. Yet, if you are a working professional in the world of higher education, to relax, one rarely selects the same locations as the people from which you are escaping.

Hearing from a new colleague a few years back that her family vacations and breaks were primarily done in West Virginia, I was taken aback as to why. Why would anyone choose to relax, regroup, drink and party in West Virginia? No offense to the state, but few adults list West Virginia as one of their top 10 rejuvenation spots.

What was I missing? Was there a secret destination in West Virginia held close to the vest by insiders? Actually, yes. There was.

It’s called The Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Living in Pennsylvania at the time, I asked how far away this insider place was from campus. Being told it was a fairly long drive, but doable, I invited my mother to join me. Inquiring more about The Greenbrier, I learned of its distinctive history as a resort of presidential portion. My mother having the same taste, or I having the same taste level as she, was perfect as a partner for my first trip to this highly respected resort.

Oh, did I mention that they had a casino?

Yes, the casino was our draw. We didn’t know of the scale to which this resort was noted or recorded. We didn’t know to expect to see the legendary interior designs of Dorothy Draper or the rare presidential portraits lining the walls of the vast lounges, cozy parlors, reading rooms, expansive hallways, staircases or ballroom.

We had no idea of the magnitude or importance of this luxurious resort.

And when I say luxurious, I don’t mean overly golden done-up plaza like a Trump Tower suite. I mean luxurious as in old money chic. Mahogany wood-lined studies and marble floors chic. I mean velvet upholstered chairs and gilt-framed artwork and mirrors. I mean presidential, as in the White House.

We were headed into the halls of history. We were driving to The Greenbrier.

Entering the resort, maneuvering the long driveway then pulling into the entrance is an eye-pooping vision. Looking like the White House, you adjust yourself, preparing for the opposite of a Las Vegas visit. Valet takes your car and the bellman takes your luggage. The front desk atrium is an understated small area for the resort is undergoing a massive renovation. We are grateful for the renovation because the cost of a normal night’s stay was completely out of the question. The renovation dropped the price to my comfort level. (Mind you, we did return a few times to enjoy the newly-designed complex, complete with its new, larger casino.)

This visit was my first.

Prior to walking to our room, we were presented with the “Daily Activities” list. Learning from the read, there was at least five separate occasions for eating; a movie at the in-house theater; sports-oriented events; spa and indoor pool; tours and shopping—all at the resort.

Although I love to walk the promenade just to window-shop, a particular listing caught my eye.

What? What? A tour of the Presidential Bunker. What??

Yes, indeed. Apparently, The Greenbrier once housed the well-hidden Presidential Bunker. Hidden in plain sight and far below ground encased in concrete, steel and various solid structures lies a highly concealed and protected semi-White House. It was built in case of a threat to our country and government. And yes indeed, I toured it. UNBELIEVABLE! It is a MUST-SEE. Period.

During the tour, you are reminded and challenged, for there is another bunker in existence now—hidden in plain sight. You leave the tour pondering its location. I’m exhausted from thinking of the thousands of possibilities.

Thinking brings hunger.

You eat breakfast in the main dining room with its turquoise columns and palace style chandeliers. You are offered hors d’oeuvres for a noonday snack and a midday snack in the expansive main salon; and later as a night-time snack down in the casino. Of course, you can also have lunch then dinner in the main dining room or in the onsite restaurants and eateries. Jackets please after 5 p.m. There is no starving at The Greenbrier, just as there is no shortage of beverages and opportunities to have a drink, or two. You are spoiled with culinary wizardry and the finest of liquid delights.

From morning to night, you are encouraged to indulge.

In our first visit to the old casino, we were not short changed in food or beverage service. The little casino had a center bar and an outside bar. The inside bar had every drink imaginable. Even the outside bar was really a finger food buffet. Continuous assortments of tastings were place there hours into the night. Everything was free at this tiny casino. It was the test casino for what was being built (below).

We had found where luck resided. The food and drinks were loose and free, and the slots were even looser.

Oh, The Greenbrier, why didn’t I know of your secrets? Why hadn’t I heard of you? I had fallen in love with a distinctive resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

In my four return visits, I learned of the golf course, the outdoor swimming pool area, the private bungalows, the small town and its restaurants, and the spectacular new casino.

The nightly rate had soared and people like Tiger Woods and Hollywood elite frequented now, pushing people like myself to remember the window when regular folks were able to stroll the grounds.