Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
The Greenbrier is a historic luxury resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, where mineral-spring traditions, grand architecture, golf, dining, spa treatments, and outdoor recreation come together on an 11,000-acre property. Its story began in 1778, although the present hotel building opened much later, in 1913.
Quick Answer
The Greenbrier is a historic West Virginia resort known for elegant accommodations, four golf courses, mineral-inspired spa services, varied dining, a casino for guests aged 21 and older, and tours of a former Cold War congressional bunker. Plan ahead for reservations, dress codes, resort fees, and seasonal activity schedules.
Key Takeaways
- Visitors began traveling to the White Sulphur Springs area in 1778, while the present Greenbrier Hotel opened in 1913.
- The resort currently lists 710 Signature Resort Rooms, six estate homes, and 64 cottages on an 11,000-acre property.
- Its golf portfolio includes The Old White, The Greenbrier, The Meadows, and the nine-hole Ashford Short Course.
- The former congressional bunker is open for reserved 90-minute tours, including tours for day visitors.
- A nightly resort fee, Historic Preservation Fund charge, taxes, activity fees, and venue-specific dress codes can add to the total trip cost.
The Greenbrier’s History
The resort traces its beginning to 1778, when travelers started coming to White Sulphur Springs to experience mineral waters that were traditionally believed to have restorative properties. Over time, a seasonal collection of cottages and hotels grew around the springs, attracting political leaders, wealthy families, celebrities, and other prominent visitors.
A major change came in 1910, when the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway acquired the property. The present Greenbrier Hotel opened in 1913 alongside a new mineral-bath facility and what is now The Old White golf course. The resort began operating year-round in 1914.
During World War II, the property temporarily left the resort business. The U.S. State Department first leased it to house diplomats. In 1942, the U.S. Army acquired the hotel and converted it into the 2,000-bed Ashford General Hospital. According to The Greenbrier’s official history, the hospital cared for more than 24,000 soldiers during four years of operation.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway reacquired the property after the war. The resort reopened in 1948 following a redesign led by decorator Dorothy Draper, whose bold colors, floral patterns, and dramatic contrasts still influence its interiors.
The Greenbrier says 28 U.S. presidents have visited the resort, along with generations of dignitaries, entertainers, athletes, and other public figures.
The Cold War Bunker
In 1958, the federal government asked The Greenbrier to help conceal the construction of an emergency relocation center for the United States Congress. The underground complex, associated with the code name Project Greek Island, was built beneath the resort’s West Virginia Wing and was kept secret for decades.
The facility was exposed publicly in 1992 and later declassified. It can now be visited through a reserved 90-minute bunker tour. Tour guests should arrive at the Trellis Lobby at least 15 minutes before departure and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Accommodations and Resort Amenities
Rooms, Suites, Cottages, and Estate Homes
The Greenbrier’s current accommodation collection includes 710 Signature Resort Rooms, six Greenbrier Estate Homes, and 64 Greenbrier Cottages. Options range from Traditional Rooms to larger suites, restored historic cottages, and multi-bedroom homes for families or groups.
Room style and size vary. Traditional Rooms are among the smaller options, while Superior and Deluxe Rooms provide more space. Historic and Classic Suites offer separate or expanded living areas, and the cottages give guests a more private setting while retaining access to resort services.
The Greenbrier is also known for its distinctive interior design. Many rooms and public spaces feature bright colors, patterned fabrics, and traditional furnishings inspired by Dorothy Draper and her design successor, Carleton Varney.
Included and Paid Amenities
The resort offers indoor and outdoor pools, fitness equipment, trails, historical presentations, on-property transportation, shopping, golf, tennis, spa services, casino gaming, and a broad menu of scheduled activities. However, not every activity is included with a room reservation.
Note: The current nightly resort fee includes selected benefits such as resort-wide Wi-Fi, fitness equipment, indoor and outdoor pool use, historical presentations, hiking and meditation trails, on-property transportation, afternoon tea, and nightly movies. Golf, spa services, bunker tours, riding, off-road adventures, and many other experiences cost extra.
The indoor pool is a separate, year-round facility dating to 1912. The outdoor infinity pool is near the tennis facilities and golf clubhouse and generally operates seasonally. Hours and access can change for events or maintenance, so review the daily calendar during your stay.
The Casino Club
The Casino Club at The Greenbrier offers slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, and other gaming. Access is limited to guests aged 21 or older. The casino is non-smoking, and its attire rules become more formal in the evening.
Before 7:00 p.m., resort attire is generally required. After 7:00 p.m., the resort calls for business-casual attire and requires jackets for gentlemen. Denim and headwear restrictions may also apply, so check the current Greenbrier dress code before packing.
Dining at The Greenbrier
The Greenbrier has formal restaurants, casual cafés, lounges, seasonal pool and golf dining, and in-room service. Restaurant hours vary by day and season, so the resort’s daily calendar is more reliable than assuming every venue will be open throughout a stay.
Formal and Special-Occasion Dining
The Main Dining Room is the resort’s best-known traditional dining space. It serves breakfast daily and dinner on selected evenings beneath chandeliers, columns, and arched windows. Dinner has one of the property’s more formal dress codes, including jackets and collared shirts for men.
Prime 44 West is a classic steakhouse honoring West Virginia native Jerry West. Its menu focuses on aged beef, seafood, and tableside specialties. Reservations are sensible for both Prime 44 West and the Main Dining Room, particularly on weekends, holidays, and event dates.
Casual Restaurants and Lounges
The Forum serves Italian dishes such as Neapolitan-style pizza, pasta, and seasonal specialties. Draper’s Café offers Southern comfort food in a colorful room influenced by Dorothy Draper’s design. Other current choices include the Lobby Bar, JJ’s Sports Lounge, Sam Snead’s, Slammin’ Sammy’s, the Greenbrier Gourmet & Coffee Bar, and seasonal Tree Tops Café.
Some dining venues are inside the Casino Club and therefore admit only guests aged 21 or older. In-Fusion, for example, serves Pan-Asian small plates on the casino floor and is subject to casino access rules.
Pro Tip: Reserve must-do dinners when you book your room, then check the resort calendar again shortly before arrival. Confirm each restaurant’s hours, age restrictions, cancellation policy, and dress code rather than relying on a previous season’s schedule.
The Greenbrier’s Golf Courses
The Greenbrier currently promotes four resort golf experiences. They differ considerably in length, history, and operating format.
| Course | Format | Design and History | Current Planning Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Old White | 18 holes, par 70; up to 7,246 yards on the official scorecard | Designed by Charles Blair Macdonald and opened in 1914, with construction supervised by Seth Raynor | The resort’s best-known championship layout; check aeration and event closures |
| The Greenbrier | Ten holes currently open; playable as a 9- or 18-hole round using a bonus hole | Originally designed by Seth Raynor and opened in 1924; redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 1977 | Do not assume a conventional 18-hole routing; confirm the current configuration |
| The Meadows | 18-hole resort course | Began as a Findlay nine-hole course in 1911; revised by Raynor, expanded by Dick Wilson, redesigned by Bob Cupp, and restored in 2017 | Known for mountain views, modern green complexes, and stacked-sod bunkers |
| The Ashford Short Course | Nine-hole, walking, par-3 course; holes range from 56 to 112 yards | A newer short-course experience whose holes pay tribute to famous course designs | A practical option for families, beginners, short-game practice, or a quicker round |
The Old White has hosted high-profile professional events, including PGA Tour and LIV Golf competition. Its design incorporates interpretations of classic European golf holes, including Redan, Alps, and Eden concepts.
The Greenbrier course has a different historical distinction: it is the only resort course the property identifies as having hosted both the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup. Because part of the layout remains unavailable, golfers should ask exactly which holes and format will be used when requesting a tee time.
Warning: Golf availability can be affected by tournaments, private events, weather, restoration work, and scheduled aeration. Confirm the course, number of playable holes, cart rules, fees, and cancellation terms before building a trip around golf.
The Greenbrier Spa and Wellness Services
The Greenbrier Spa draws on the resort’s mineral-spring heritage while offering modern massage, facial, body, salon, hydrotherapy, meditation, and medical-aesthetic services. Signature options may include sulphur-water soaks, mineral baths, Swedish massage, body treatments, and services designed for golfers.
Guests should arrive 20 to 30 minutes before a spa appointment. Access to steam rooms, saunas, and relaxation areas may be included on the day of a booked treatment, while separate day passes and hydrotherapy services may carry additional fees.
Guests must generally be at least 16 years old for massages, body treatments, or hydrotherapy. Younger guests may be eligible for selected nail and facial services, subject to the resort’s current spa rules and adult-supervision requirements.
Note: References to the “healing” or “therapeutic” powers of the springs reflect the resort’s history and spa tradition. A mineral soak or wellness treatment is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified medical professional.
Appointments are recommended when the room reservation is made. The spa requests advance notice for cancellations, and packages may have stricter nonrefundable terms. Review the current Greenbrier Spa information before booking.
The Grounds, Gardens, and Pools
The Greenbrier occupies approximately 11,000 acres in the Allegheny Mountains. The property includes landscaped areas near the main hotel, golf courses, wooded hills, trails, outdoor recreation areas, cottages, sporting facilities, and mountain scenery.
Guests can walk through formal areas near the hotel, follow designated hiking or meditation trails, or use scheduled transportation to reach activities spread across the estate. Because the grounds are extensive, comfortable footwear is more useful than formal shoes for daytime exploration.
The White Sulphur Springs heritage remains central to the resort’s identity. Visitors can learn about the springs through historical presentations and spa experiences, although the property is now much broader than the original spring-centered retreat.
The year-round indoor pool and seasonal outdoor infinity pool provide two different swimming settings. Children and non-swimmers should remain with a responsible adult, and swimwear should be limited to pool, spa, and guest-room areas under the resort’s attire rules.
Activities, Tours, and Events
The Greenbrier lists dozens of scheduled activities, ranging from complimentary traditions to premium outdoor adventures. Exact options depend on the season, weather, age requirements, and the resort calendar.
Historical and Cultural Activities
Popular historical choices include the bunker tour, the self-guided Presidents’ Cottage Museum, interior history walks, and presentations about the resort’s development. Some presentations are included in the resort fee, while bunker tours require a separate paid reservation.
Outdoor Recreation
Possible activities include horseback riding, guided hikes, bicycle rides, fishing, tennis, climbing, aerial adventure courses, off-road driving, carriage rides, and shooting sports. Certain experiences require transportation away from the main hotel or have strict footwear, age, height, weight, or weather rules.
Indoor and Family Activities
Families may find an arcade, children’s programs, Adventure Zone activities, swimming, seasonal ice skating, crafts, movies, and holiday programming. The exact schedule can change daily, making the official calendar an important planning tool.
Adults can choose from fitness classes, afternoon tea, shopping, culinary programs, casino gaming, cocktails, spa appointments, and live or seasonal entertainment.
Pro Tip: Select one or two priority activities for each full day instead of attempting to cross the entire property repeatedly. Group reservations by location and leave time for resort transportation, meals, clothing changes, and weather delays.
How to Plan a Visit to The Greenbrier
Choose the Right Accommodation
A standard room works well for couples or shorter stays, while suites provide more living space. Cottages and estate homes can be more practical for extended families, groups, or travelers who value privacy. Compare occupancy limits, number of bedrooms, location, stairs, accessibility features, and transportation needs before reserving.
Understand the Full Price
The advertised room rate is not the final trip cost. At the time of this review, The Greenbrier lists a $49 Daily Resort Fee per room, per night. It also applies a 9.75% Historic Preservation Fund, West Virginia sales and occupancy taxes, and possible charges for parking, transportation, extra adults, dining, golf, spa services, tours, and activities.
Deposit and cancellation periods vary by season and holiday dates. Reducing a stay after the applicable deadline may cause the deposit to be forfeited. Read the rate rules attached to the exact room or package rather than relying on a general cancellation assumption.
Warning: Resort fees, taxes, preservation charges, transportation prices, parking fees, activity prices, and cancellation rules can change. Confirm the complete after-tax total and deposit terms directly with the resort before paying.
Reserve Priority Experiences Early
After booking the room, reserve any must-do bunker tour, spa treatment, golf round, formal dinner, riding activity, or holiday event. Many activities have limited departure times, and restaurants may operate only on selected evenings.
A practical reservation order is:
- Room, cottage, or estate home
- Transportation to and from the resort
- Bunker tour or other limited-capacity historical experience
- Golf tee times and spa appointments
- Formal and special-occasion dining
- Outdoor and family activities
Getting to The Greenbrier
The resort is at 101 Main Street West in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Drivers can reach the area from Interstate 64, with the main entrance a short distance from the White Sulphur Springs exits.
The White Sulphur Springs Amtrak station is directly across from the resort’s main entrance. Amtrak’s Cardinal route provides service along a corridor connecting cities such as New York, Washington, and Chicago, although it does not operate every day.
Greenbrier Valley Airport is approximately 15 minutes from the resort. Flight routes and operators can change, so verify the current schedule before purchasing airfare. The resort also offers reserved transportation from selected airports and other regional locations.
Review the official Greenbrier directions and transportation page for current flight, rail, shuttle, and driving details.
Pack for Activities and Dress Codes
Daytime packing should reflect the activities on the itinerary. Bring comfortable walking shoes, athletic clothing, swimwear, rain protection, and activity-specific items such as golf or tennis attire. Jeans may be acceptable for certain outdoor experiences but are not permitted for golf and tennis.
Evening clothing requires more planning. The Main Dining Room has formal dinner expectations, and the casino requires jackets for gentlemen after 7:00 p.m. Other restaurants range from casual to resort or business-casual attire.
Travelers who expect to move frequently around the property may prefer one of these minimalist travel backpacks. A pair of comfortable waterproof sneakers may also help during rainy walks or outdoor activities, although separate dress shoes may still be necessary for formal venues.
Check the Calendar Shortly Before Arrival
Review the resort’s daily calendar a few days before the trip and again after check-in. Confirm restaurant openings, tour times, activity locations, golf-course work, pool access, holiday programming, and weather-related changes.
A balanced two- or three-night stay might combine one historical experience, one major recreational activity, one spa or pool period, and one special dinner. Leaving unscheduled time makes it easier to enjoy afternoon tea, the grounds, shops, and unexpected events without rushing.
Sources
- The Greenbrier — History — resort development, 1913 hotel opening, World War II hospital, and Cold War history
- The Greenbrier — About Us — current accommodation totals, presidential visits, amenities, and activities
- The Greenbrier — Resort Policies and Fees — resort fee, Historic Preservation Fund, taxes, parking, check-in, and cancellation policies
- The Greenbrier — Golf — current courses, tee-time information, and golf services
- The Greenbrier — Bunker Tours — tour length, reservations, check-in, and bunker background
- The Greenbrier — Dining — current restaurants, cafés, lounges, and seasonal dining options
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Greenbrier?
The Greenbrier is a historic luxury resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. It offers rooms, suites, cottages, estate homes, golf, dining, spa services, a casino, historical tours, shopping, pools, and outdoor activities.
Where is The Greenbrier located?
The resort is at 101 Main Street West in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, in the Allegheny Mountains. It is accessible by car, Amtrak service to White Sulphur Springs, and flights to Greenbrier Valley Airport.
How many rooms does The Greenbrier have?
The resort currently lists 710 Signature Resort Rooms. It also offers six estate homes and 64 cottages, providing options for couples, families, groups, and longer stays.
Can members of the public visit The Greenbrier?
Yes. People can book overnight accommodations, dining, tours, and selected activities. Access to some areas or services may be limited to registered guests, members, ticket holders, or adults aged 21 and older.
Can day visitors take the bunker tour?
Yes, day visitors can reserve bunker tours. They should allow enough time for parking and check in at the Trellis Lobby no later than 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.
Is The Greenbrier Casino open to children?
No. The Casino Club is restricted to guests aged 21 or older. Restaurants and lounges located inside the casino are also subject to the age restriction.
Does The Greenbrier charge a resort fee?
Yes. At the time of this review, the Daily Resort Fee is $49 per room, per night. The resort also applies taxes and a Historic Preservation Fund charge. Confirm the current total before booking.
Does The Greenbrier have a dress code?
Yes. Dress requirements vary by restaurant, casino area, and activity. The Main Dining Room has formal dinner requirements, while golf, tennis, outdoor activities, cafés, and pool areas have different standards.
Is The Greenbrier pet-friendly?
The resort permits cats and dogs weighing 30 pounds or less in designated pet-friendly rooms, subject to a nonrefundable fee and other rules. Service animals are handled separately under applicable accessibility requirements.