The Greenbrier

Just sad to see it unkept and in disrepair. Restaurants were closed, staff was untrained, and the room was old and shabby

They charge service fee without explaining that it is a gratuity. We tipped in addition to this. There are numerous rooms with seating and pianos, but no players. Evenings offer nothing if you don't gamble. Very expensive and disappointing. Will not return.

Truly an American treasure. We did not stay here, but visited to tour the grounds and hotel. The decor was wonderful. Loved the Dorothy Draper design throughout. The resort has a luxury atmosphere. Grounds are peaceful with vast greenery. Went into the Golf Club house and saw the Drapper designed pink ladies locker room.

For years, The Greenbrier was on my bucket list. I arrived with high expectations, imagining a timeless American icon. In one word: disappointing. What should have been a luxurious escape felt like a faded postcard of its former glory. The Highlights 1. Bunker & Property Tours – Outstanding. The Cold War bunker tour is fascinating, and the hotel history walk is engaging and well-guided. These alone are worth a day visit. 2. Housekeeping (6th Floor) – Impeccable. Prompt, polite, and thorough. Turndown service was a rare bright spot. 3. Bell Staff – Professional, courteous, and efficient. Met every expectation. 4. The Property’s Potential – The bones are breathtaking. Grand architecture, sprawling grounds, and a storied past. With proper investment, this could still be world-class. The Shortcomings 1. Worn & Neglected Infrastructure – Furniture is threadbare, chipped, or broken. Hallways show scuffs, stains, and peeling paint. Gardens are patchy—bare dirt in places, weeds in others. Maintenance feels deferred for years. 2. Inconsistent Staff Performance – While ~15% of employees were excellent, at least 65% appeared untrained or indifferent. Front desk, drivers, restaurant servers, and concierge often seemed overwhelmed or uninformed. 3. Dining Capacity & Access – Restaurants are perpetually packed. Walk-in waits were too long. Reservations are mandatory yet still unreliable. 4. Spa – All appointments were booked for our entire stay by the time we arrived. 5. Late Check outs – I was told the hotel has an inflexible policy against late checkouts. The Unacceptable 1. Concierge Incompetence – Directed us to an on-ground attraction that was closed. Couldn’t answer basic questions about shuttle schedules, dining options, or on-property activities. A sign reading “We Don’t Know” would have saved time. 2. Main Dining Room Disaster – Reservation mix-ups, rude hostesses, glacial pacing (2.5+ hours for three courses), and comically small portions. Staff seemed to be winging it. 3. Hidden Fees = Price Shock – Quoted rates are deceptive. After stacking resort fee, service charge, gratuity, occupancy tax, historical preservation fee, and sales tax, the final bill was 40% higher. I’ve stayed at Ritz-Carlton, and Four Seasons — this fee structure is the worst I’ve encountered. Be transparent upfront. 4. Transportation Nightmare – No Uber, no taxis, no local options. Airport transfer fee felt like highway robbery. Cottage guests face long walks or endless waits for sluggish internal shuttles. Mobility-challenged visitors will struggle. Verdict The Greenbrier trades on nostalgia and name recognition, but it’s coasting on reputation while cutting corners. The tours and a few standout staff can’t compensate for systemic neglect, poor training, and predatory pricing. Recommendation: Visit for the bunker tour and a meal—as a day guest. Skip the overnight unless you secure a deep discount and temper expectations. This resort needs a multi-year, multi-million-dollar overhaul to justify five-star claims again. Until then, it’s a beautiful relic—not a luxury destination.

Drapers: 2 glasses of wine, one reuben sandwich. $85. Know before you go. ..,..........................................................