*The
Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
The
Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia was one of the first spas I
discovered online when I started my website over a dozen years ago. I finally
had an opportunity to experience the historic resort and spa this summer.
The
Greenbrier has its own train station. There are many resorts in Canada on train
stops, but this is the only one I know of in the US. Amtrak makes it easily accessible
to the city dwellers of Washington DC and New York and anyone who would rather
ride than drive. We drove, and the Allegheny mountain scenery was beautiful.
*North Entrance at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
The
Greenbrier is an historic, 6500-acre resort that has hosted distinguished guests
from around the world since 1778. It currently offers 635 rooms, including 33
suites and 96 guest and estate houses. The Greenbrier has 10 lobbies, 40+ meeting
rooms, a conference center and a no-longer-secret and no-longer-in-service bunker
for the U.S. Congress in case of war.
The
Springhouse at The Greenbrier is topped by a19th century statue of Hebe, goddess
of youth, having the power of rejuvenation.
We stayed
in one of the Spring Row Cottages, named for their proximity to the spring, which
was the original attraction of the resort. Our cottage was roomy and offered a
parlor with sofa bed, wet bar and fireplace, a dressing area, large bathroom,
a bedroom with a very comfortable king-size bed and a porch furnished with wicker
chairs and overlooking a regulation British croquet court. The cottage was perfectly
situated. In one direction, it was just a short walk to the golf and tennis clubs,
fitness center, outdoor pool. In the other direction, it was just a short walk
to the main building where the indoor pool, spa and restaurants are located.
*Spring
Row House #6312 at The Greenbrier
Spring Row House Bedroom
Spring
Row House Living Room Spring
Row House Living Room
*Spring
Row House Floor Plan at The Greenbrier
Spring
Row House Bathroom
The Greenbrier
offers over 50 recreational activities and facilities including 3 championship
golf courses, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, cooking classes at the Culinary
Arts Center, lessons at the Off-Road Driving School, sporting clays, indoor and
outdoor swimming pools, croquet, mountain biking, falconry, trap and skeet shooting,
tennis, kayaking, whitewater rafting, bowling, hiking and jogging trails, horseback
riding and carriage rides, fishing and, of course, The Greenbrier Spa.
*Outdoor
Infinity Pool next to the Tennis Courts at The Greenbrier Fitness
Center overlooking the Indoor Tennis Courts at The Greenbrier
*The
Indoor Pool at The Greenbrier was originally built in 1912 and features ornate
mosaic tile work.
While Jeff improved
his short game at The Greenbrier Golf Academy (He says it was the best lesson
he's ever had!), I enjoyed the Greenbrier Spa.
Guests have
come to The Greenbrier's sulphur springs for more than 230 years to experience
the natural benefits of the minerals. I was looking forward to having The Greenbrier
Treatment.
Entrance
to The Greenbrier Spa
Women's
Changing Room Spa
Lounge Spa
Garden
I checked in early and
quickly changed into my spa robe and *warmed* sandals so I would have time to
enjoy the steam room and sun in the spa garden before my treatment. My therapist,
Catie, started my treatment by preparing a bath for me. The temperature was perfect,
and rose-scented bubbles helped mask the suphury odor of the mineral water (Although
odiferous, sulphur is great for the skin!). I sank back and let the warm water
start to drain tension from my muscles. About 15 minutes later, Catie escorted
to my choice of steam room or sauna. I stepped in the steam room for a few minutes
but really didn't need any more heat. Next came the showers where I thoroughly
enjoyed the 16-head Swiss shower and Scotch hose. I haven't seen Scotch hose treatments
at many spas. It is a bit intimidating at first. You stand at one end of the room
and your therapist is at the other where she aims a fire hose (literally) at you.
The area of water that hits your body is small but at relatively high pressure.
A skilled therapist can aim the hose along your muscles and give you a good massage.
Catie was skilled, and it was fabulous. I wanted to stand there for an hour. It
alone is reason enough for me to hop on Amtrak and come back. I dried off and
followed Catie to a treatment room where she gave me an excellent massage. This
was the ideal spa treatment for me. A bonus was nice, soft skin afterwards from
the mineral water.
Soaking
Tub at The Greenbrier Spa
Swiss
Shower at The Greenbrier Spa
Massage
Treatment Room at The Greenbrier Spa
The 40,000-square-foot
spa has 6 soaking tubs, 22 treatment rooms, 12 facial room, 6 wet rooms, 3 chroma
baths, Swiss shower, scotch spray, and relaxation room. The spa is located near
the indoor pool area, the salon and the Rhododendron Café. The first section
of the spa opened in 1987 and a major renovation was made in 2001.
Chromatherapy Tub at The Greenbrier Spa
Treatment
Room at The Greenbrier Spa
Vichy
Shower at The Greenbrier Spa
Rhododendron
Café
Salon
Other
services available at the time of my visit at The Greenbrier Spa include:
Signature
Services
The Greenbrier
Treatment
The Perfect Relaxation
Kur
The Detox Kur
Kate's
Mountain Kur
The Mountain
Soother
Golfer's Game Saver
Hydrotherapy
Aromatherapy Bath
Mineral Mountain Bath
Detoxifying
Mud Bath
Waterworks
Sulphur
Soak
Fruit and Crème
Baths
Massage
Aromatherapy
Mountain Hot
Stone
Reflex Trio
Reiki
Sports
Swedish
Ayurvedic
Head
Integrated Reflexology
Facials
Pinnacle
Cellular Repair
Antioxidant
Green
Tea
Green Brier Radiance
Men's
Energizing Facial
Facial Customization
Collagen Mask
Facial Peel
Lip
Repair
Eye Contouring Treatment
Makeup Application
Waxing
Body
Fusions
Mineral
Body Mask
Detoxifying Mud
Wrap
Aromatherapy Rose
Petal Wrap
Mineral Body
Polish
Antioxidant Body
Scrub
Body Scrub Odysseys
Hand
and Foot Treatments
Facial
for Your Hands or Feet
Mineral Manicure or Pedicure
White Tea & Citrus Manicure or Pedicure
Nails
for Males Manicure or Pedicure
The
Next Generation
Teen
Facial
Foot
Loose
Hands
Down
Me
2 Package
Extended
Spa Experiences
The Lap
of Luxury four-day package
Mother / Daughter two-night
package
The Greenbrier Signature two-night package
The
Greenbrier Clinic Laser and Aesthetics Services
Laser
Services
Microdermabrasion
Botox
Restylane
Prescriptive
Skin Care
Nutrition Counseling
Fitness
One-on-One Training
Private
Group Classes
Fitness Evaluation
Training
for Two
Meditation Trail
Hikes
Private
Group Walk
Golf Fitness Training
Golf Stretch
Shortly before
my visit to The Greenbrier, Jim Justice, the coal and agriculture magnate, rescued
The Greenbrier from bankruptcy. He plans to add a $25-million, 50,000-square-foot
casino and mezzanine entertainment venue to the resort by April 1, 2010. The mezzanine
venue will feature coffee, wine and sushi bars, a full-service restaurant and
10 retail shops.
More
Information
Contact The
Greenbrier Spa at The Greenbrier Address: 300
West Main Street White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia 24986 • Resort Phone:
304-536-1110 • Resort Toll Free: 800-624-6070 • Spa Phone: 304-536-7745 •
Spa Toll Free: 800-453-4858 • Spa Email: spa_reservations@greenbrier.com
• Web Site: http://www.greenbrier.com/
•
Scheduling Appointments - As The Greenbrier spa is
one of the top spas in North America, it is strongly recommend that spa and clinic
appointments be arranged when booking your room reservations. 304-536-7745
or 800-624-6070 Inside resort — dial 7745 •
Arrival to the Spa - To maximize your experience,
please arrive 20 to 30 minutes prior to your first scheduled appointment. This
will allow you time to relax and let your mind enter a peaceful, tranquil mode.
Please remember that each service is scheduled precisely and will end on time
so that the next guest is not delayed. Please be in your robe and relaxing in
the relaxation room at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled service. •
Spa Attire - Complimentary use of robe, slippers
and lockers is provided for all spa guests. The staff is professionally trained
in proper draping to ensure your modesty is never compromised. •
Considerations- To preserve the peaceful and tranquil
mode, please turn off your cell phones and pagers. The spa is a smoke-free and
alcohol-free environment. •
Steam and Sauna - Use of the steam and sauna facilities
is complimentary for guests.
•
Gratuities-
For your convenience, an 18% gratuity will be added to
all spa services. •
CancellationNotice - A 24-hour notice is
requested to avoid charges for cancelled services. Packages are non-refundable. •
Medical Concerns - Upon arrival to The Spa, please complete
a brief health form to assist the Spa Therapists in providing you the best possible
experience and to assure your safety and comfort. The spa encourages you to disclose
any pertinent health conditions that may affect your Spa experience. •
Fitness Classes - All fitness classes require pre-registration.
The spa recommends that you register for fitness classes when making spa treatment
reservations. •
Spa Specialist - The Spa offers for your convenience,
a one-point contact. The Spa Specialist will assist in making your group and special
occasion bookings a success. Take away the stress and let the Spa Specialist take
care of your spa requests. Please call 800-624-6070, ext. 5314 or dial direct
304-536-5314 for your Spa Specialist. •
The Rhododendron Café - Located in the
indoor pool area, the Rhododendron Café serves refreshing smoothies and
juices as well as sandwiches, salads and wraps. Enjoy your lunch in the comfort
of the Spa Relaxation Room. Menus available through The Spa. •
Spa Shoppe - Now you can recreate
your spa experience right at home. Upon completion of your treatment, the Spa
Therapists will share with you information on the products used. All of these
products are available for purchase at the Spa Shoppe.
Photos
copyright 2009, Julie Register unless marked * which are courtesy of
The Greenbrier
New Spa at Playacar Palace in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Guests who book a stay of five-nights or more can also take advantage of a $1,500 Resort Credit , which can be used on room upgrades, spa and beauty salon treatments, golf outings, romantic dinners, and more. Palace Resorts all-inclusive accommodations start at $171 per person, per night, based on double occupancy. To reserve your Palace Resorts stay, please visit www.PalaceResorts.com, call (800) 635-1836 or contact your preferred travel professional.
Lantana Spa at JW Marriott San Antonio
Farm to Treatment Table Lavender Experience
This package is available Saturdays only, May 12 – July 14 (excluding June 8), must be booked one week in advance and requires 48 hours notice for cancellation.
Includes
Hill Country Lavender Farm tour,
a bottle of organic lavender massage oil made at the farm,
lunch at Replenish Spa Café with items featuring lavender, and a lavender-based spa treatment featuring the organic lavender massage oil from the Hill Country Lavender farm.
Spa Store
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I'm a believer.
~ Julie
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