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?
What a magnificent place! It sounds like a stay there is truly relaxing and restorative. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteYes, Joan, I feel fortunate to have been able to splurge on this stay. They really know how to take care of their guests.
DeleteWow--what a cool place. I hope you indulged in everything you could while there.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. We stayed there once years ago and it was marvelous. I think it's even haunted, but we were untroubled by any ghosts.
Kathy, my mom and I ate a sunset dinner one night at the Grove Park Inn. It was glorious and we were treated to quite a colorful ending to the day.
DeleteWe didn't see any ghosts either.
These Southern hotels really know how to pamper!
What a wonderful hotel - and you have reminded me that I have never read Eloise. I have read 'Grand Hotel' by Vicki Baum, on which the classic gorgeous Greta Garbo film is based ("I want to be alone"). I think I'd rather visit your hotel though than read about it!
ReplyDeleteVicki, I do love reading and watching movies about stately hotels. I don't know that I have actually seen 'Grand Hotel'! Must put it on my movie list.
DeleteThe last hotel movie I watched was 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'. I would like to watch "Hotel" with Rod Taylor again too. And there was a British series (Not "Fawlty Towers" although it would qualify) called "Hotel Babylon" that was fun to watch. And then there is "Separate Tables"....so many to list!
Ahh the Greenbrier, nice! I'm drawing a blank at the moment on grand hotels set in novels. Hmm. I want to suggest the Waldorf Astoria. But then I recall the recent novel Netherland by Joseph O'Neill was set at the Chelsea Hotel. Maybe not too grand
ReplyDeleteI nosed around a bit about the Waldorf Astoria. There is one in Edinburgh - The Calendonian - on Princes Street. For a mere $600 a night one can relax in a Deluxe Queen Room with a view. How splendid. One for the Bucket List.
DeleteThat looks like a lovely place Bell. When speaking of hotels in literature the one novel that comes instantly to mind is "Hotel du Lac" the 1984 Booker Prize-winning novel by Anita Brookner. Colette’s short story “Bella-Vista” captures the spirit of a unique French hotel and if I can recall correctly several other of her short stories are set in south of France hotels. My all-time favourite now that I think of it must be Forster’s “A Room with a View”. Your blog now makes we want to revisit some of these locations (on the page at least!). I can hear and feel the heat of Florence in the "The Pension Bertolini."
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions, Tullik. I have not read 'Hotel du Lac' but on my TBR list it goes. And, of course, anything by Colette is going to be captivating. I have read 'A Room with a View' and feel the need now to watch the movie again for the glorious scenery. Thanks for the recommendations.
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