Monday, August 16, 2010

The Grand Dame


In this past weekend’s New York Times, Dwight Garner wrote about his recent visit to the Greenbrier with his family. While he seemed to like the experience overall, his article was full of back-handed compliments. Garner’s wife didn't seem to leave the resort a big fan. According to her, overnight was more than enough and she would have like to have left the next morning. Well, hon, clearly you’re not cut out for the Grand Lady.

While the Greenbrier has had its ups and downs (filing for bankruptcy in 2009), it still carries a magical aura that you will likely never find at another resort. Hubby and I celebrated our 10th anniversary there last October and it was wonderful. I enjoyed many of the Greenbrier's long-time traditions: tea time, dressing for dinner, the over-the-top Dorothy Draper interior design ; it was all so fabulous.

Garner did note the recent addition of a casino, which I'm not crazy about. When we visited last fall, they were in the process of building the 40,000 foot underground facility. And while its the new owner's attempt to paint a newer, shinier face on the Grand Dame, it's not what I care to see at the Greenbrier. And, apparently it's only accessible to overnight guests. So, that surprised me a bit. Then again -- and here's the snob in me surfacing -- glad to know that the Vegas/Atlantic City/gambling boat crowds won't be converging on the Greenbrier for day-trips.

Have a great day y’all. ;)

P.S. - Today was "Meet Your Teacher" day at our daughter's school. She dropped off her supplies for kindergarten, saw her new room and got a feel for her new school. I can't believe we start this new adventure on Wednesday!

9 comments:

Kerr said...

love love love the greenbriar! my parents were nice enough to take my brother and I a few times when we were growing up. I would love to go back and see how things have changed/stayed the same since then. That was my first spa experience and one I will never forget!

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

Have heard nothing but wonderful things about the Greenbriar! I'm with you on the day guests topic. Nothing snobbie about that. Hope you had a great weekend!
Teresa (Splendid Sass)

highheeledlife said...

Living in Canada I am not familiar with the Greenbriar ~ but it certainly does sound like it would be a wonderful place to stay at ; tea and dressing for dinner , definitely a treat of days when life was simpler or perhaps not so fast paced and we actually took time to enjoy family... Will have to look up the Greenbriar. XO..HHL

myletterstoemily said...

the greenbriar is so beautiful. my
husband and i had a lovely stay there
. . . a long time ago.

my favorite, though, is blackberry farm!

i hope your daughter just loves her
kindergarten teacher, and vice versa.

kayce hughes said...

I want to vist the greenbriar. Most of mine had their first day today too! So exciting...I love the feeling of a fresh start.

QueenBeeSwain said...

thought about you when I read this at the *office* on Sunday :)

xoox

kHm

bevy said...

Being a snob is a good thing!!! xox

sara said...

Everywhere I've turned lately, all I've heard about is the Greenbriar! My mom recently stayed there for a work conference, and said it was very nice. Good luck with kindergarten this week!

By the way, I think I saw you at daycare drop-off one day last week. I wanted to come up and introduce myself, but my 2 year-old had other ideas and wanted to stay in the car to listen to another Elmo song!

Tessa said...

I went there with my family when I was in high school and thought it was beautiful! would love to go back for a long weekend with just the hubby. good luck with the first day(s) of school! where did summer go?!