We are world travelers and spend time in many luxury hotels - think Vienna Imperial, Sidney Shangri La, Geneva Hotel DeAngleterre - and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at The Greenbrier. Remembering that it is a southern resort, it measures up handsomely. Bring there in the dead of winter, we were looking only for a little R&R, and found a place that filled the bill. We were in the Windsor Club Wing and felt the price was worth the benefit, though that may be hard to quantitate given that we were the only guests on that wing. Regardless, there were breakfast, lunch and pre dinner small plates in the receiving room each day, along with all the soft drinks and alcoholic beverages we could have asked for. Fireplaces ablaze, wine bar, aperitif bar, whiskey/scotch bar, and after dinner/cognac bars open around a beautiful, large reception room that had a veranda open to the front of the hotel, not to mention a concierge constantly available. Being Southerners by heritage, these touches were not lost on us as we relaxed into the comforts; being world travelers, we were proud that our Southern graces were so well exhibited to the sojourner to our part of the world. Traversing the main resort area felt as if one were inhabiting a museum. And, unlike other remarks, we found the steakhouse and main dining room to have an excellent menu and wine list. The spa was beautiful, though the services I received were only mediocre, and my husband had a similar experience with the gun club. Shopping was adequate at best. The pool and bowling alley looked great, though we did not partake. The Bunker Tour is not to be missed, if only for historical education's sake. All in all, highly recommended for a relaxing long weekend with little need for entertainment but high expectations for service. And spring for the Windsor Club!

what the somewhat negative reviews fail to mention about the greenbrier having closed a few restaurants for the off season and the changed hours for attractions is the price difference they paid. a stay typically runs from $350 a night and up, and these people (including myself) were paying $59 or $79 for a night. when you're only paying a fourth of the cost of a night at a hotel as upscale as this one, i completely and fully expect some of the hours to be running on a different schedule. even in disney world, the premier hotel destination for any season, they change the running hours in the hotels for attractions such as indoor pools and movies in the months of jan and feb. these sort of things are to be expected for such a bargain to stay at one of the most luxurious hotels in the country. that being said, i felt like my visit was not hampered in the least. the hotel was beautiful, the staff fantastic, and everyone went out of their way to ensure that our trip was 5 star. we enjoyed lewisburg and it's restaurants as well, and prime west 44 was everything we had hoped it would be. it's such a special thing to be from west virginia and have a treasure like this nestled in my home state, and with the packages in the winter for residents, a great way to experience the hotel on a tighter budget. i can't wait to book again next winter, and perhaps even spring for a trip this fall!

I'm kicking myself for not heeding the many reviews warning me this resort is basically closed down with a skeleton staff in February. At the famous Greenbrier? At these prices? The reviewer must be picky or is thinking outdoor activity which will naturally close in winter. I will never ignore a review again.
We pulled up to the beaufiful property and a super friendly bellhop asked about our trip and whisked our luggage away. So far so great. There were only 3 guests ahead of us to check-in. 20 min. later still waiting, as all were elderly and asking question after question. The friendly staff was endlessly patient so with only 2 windows open, check-in took 30 min.
Everything was downhill from there. We wanted to walk around, build an appetite shopping while choosing a dinner restaurant. But, other than the newstand, the shops are geared toward "mature" shoppers. Mature clothing and shoes, very high end jewelry, etc. I am not young at 49 but my husband and were practially kids compared to most hotel guests, so we understood why the shops are geared toward guests who will shop them.
Nestled with the shops were restaurant after restaurant, all closed. We were told one restaurant was open, but it was so crowded we reluctantly went to our room and dinner was some chips we'd had in the car. The next night's dinner was room service at a cost of $164.00 for 2. Bit pricey plus we were tired of spending so much time in the room by then. By day 3 we drove to the nearby town of Lewisburg and found a great little restaurant called the Stardust Cafe. If only we'd thought of Lewisburg for dinner sooner.
Wednesday, Feb 8 2012, we woke ready to enjoy the activities advertised on the website. My husband was looking forward to the off-road adventure, me the casino. First we went the breakfast buffet. It was lavish and very good. The wait staff was attentive and friendly.
We were ready to work off breakfast with activity. We took the Bunker Tour. We felt it was worth the $30 fee although an outside company has taken most of it over so you can't tour it all. You still get the idea and our tourguide was great.
At Greenbrier each room is charged a $35 activity fee every day. What you get in February for your fee is walking to each activity to read the closed sign. The off-road adventure Jack wanted to do was closed. Movie theatre closed. (C'mon, no movies in winter?) Out of desperation we consided bowling or the video arcade but those weren't open either. The daily activity sheet in our room showed the new casino tables would open at 3pm. There's a dress code so we showered and dressed up and arrived at the roulette table at 3:30 to be told roulette and craps would not open until 7 that night because they were slow. The hotel does not even abide by their own activty sheet if they can save a dime?
At this point we're desperate for anything to do. We could not swim because the pool closes every day at 5 and would be closed when we got there. We read the magazines in our room. Didn't have a newspaper as the hotel doesn't provide one under the door but in a stack in the lobby and we could never got up early enough to snag one. Elderly hotel guests seem get up at the crack of dawn and go to bed early. Perhaps this is why so few evening activities are available.
There is an advertised "High Tea" each day at 4:15. However, high tea means food and tea. There was no food, just a cup of tea, so we didn't return after the first day.
I want to end this review on a positive because I write so few negative reviews that this one was hard to make myself do. Every single staff member was friendly and kind. Even the concierge we asked to help us find a 4:30 activity when we'd just left the casino after finding roulette and craps closed. Out of options, he still spread his hands and happily ad libbed "just enjoy and relax!" You got to love a man who won't admit defeat. I honestly don't belive the staff realizes, as they tell person after person, "it's winter hours" as people asked why thing are closed, that all resorts don't shut down like the hotel from "The Shining" in winter.
Next February we will return to the resort we went to last year, the Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid. Room rates are similar to Greenbrier, but they suspend activity fees in winter to offset lack of outdoor activity. Free hot cocoa and coffee stations all day. Amazing game room all tables and billiards free, free bowling, open day to evening, free ice skating, movie theater shows several shows daily, pool is open until 10pm and they have outdoor hot tubs to sit in while the snow falls around you.

We visited for a long weekend and everything was top-notch. The food, golf, tour were all pricy, but that was expected from the outset. The rooms are a bit dated, but that's also what I had heard and expected and frankly adds to the charm. We bowled, took in a movie, ate and relaxed. It was a great time.