The Greenbrier
Don't you just love slowing down and being catered to in a fine hotel? I do, and I just returned from a three-night stay at one of the finest: The Greenbrier in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia.
America needs more places like The Greenbrier with its genteel, subdued atmosphere. I was totally spoiled. There are spacious lobbies filled with comfortable chairs and sofas for chatting or resting. Afternoon tea is served every day at 4. The Victorian writing room's desk is filled with hotel stationery inviting one to sit and pen a note to a friend. There is a ballroom, a spa, a private casino, and many shops. The outdoor types (of which I am not one) can enjoy tennis, golf, swimming, horseback riding, skeet shooting, and croquet. Even falconry lessons can be had.
The Greenbrier is also the location of the government's once top secret emergency fallout shelter built into the mountainside in the 1950s. It was where members of Congress were to be sequestered in the event of a nuclear attack on the country.
The Greenbrier has quite a history. Since the late 1700s, folks have been taking advantage of the property's regenerative sulfur springs. Its location, in the Allegheny Mountains, was originally filled with cottages built by wealthy Southerners in order to escape the summer heat. Then came a hotel and more cottages. During World War II the hotel served as an army hospital and relocation center. In 1948, it was reopened once again as a hotel by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway and totally redesigned and redecorated by Dorothy Draper. The resort fell on hard times and in 2009 it was bought by local billionaire James Justice who just recently announced his candidacy for governor of West Virginia.
Many U.S. presidents, British royalty, golfers, tennis pros, and celebrities galore have stayed at what is touted as America's Resort. And now, I can add my name to the list.
Sigh. The worst part of leaving The Greenbrier is that I have to turn down my own bed at night...
In thinking about grand places to stay, I came up with a few books that feature hotels and their guests and even a murder or two.
At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie - Miss Marple revisits London and Betram's Hotel and becomes involved in a crime. Actually, Ms. Christie wrote several mysteries that take place in a hotel.
Eloise by Kay Thompson - The adventures of a clever young girl who lives with her Nanny at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Hotel by Arthur Hailey - This story of a fictional hotel in New Orleans was made into a movie and a television series.
These Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach - This is the book that the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is based upon. (I wrote about the book here.)
The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving - I haven't actually read this one as I am not a John Irving fan, but the title came to mind so I'm listing it as well.
Do you have a favorite grand hotel to recommend? Can you think of any other books to add to the list?
