The Greenbrier

one of 10 lobbys in the Greenbrier

bold carpets everywhere

lobby outside the casino entrance

sitting areas and letter writing spots with desks and stationary through out the public spaces

this wallpaper is used throughout the main lobby area

plaster reliefs used extensively

more plaster relief over a small bar in a private dining room

it was a fantasy world of oversized chandeliers

the glamorous indoor pool

striking with the famous green leaf wallpaper"Braxilliance"

love this emerald green faux bois carpeting

heading to the theatre doors for nightly entertainment

tea is being served in the main dining room at 4 o.clock - complementary for hotel guests.

grounds on the back of hotel as you walk to the golf course

Mr. RTH found his heaven on earth here!

Carleton Varney's new bistro in the hotel  Love these chairs-
reminded me of the one's at my friend Gail's house in the  kitchen.

notice the details - like the red and gold menus.

the now famous lobster and mashed potatoes from the  Jerry West steakhouse in the resort- Lord, please keep me from ordering another one!  please!  so so so gooooood!

a little history - pictures of celebrities and diplomats that visited the Greenbrier

the "Old White" was changed to the Greenbrier n  1940

adorable picture of a "Children's Costume Ball" held at the hotel.

Christmas Dinner 1942 when the hotel was a WWII hospital.- never knew you served Fruit cake with ice cream!

Located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, the Greenbrier is America's most iconic old resort.  Over 200 years old, it was once called "Old White", served as a hospital for the army in World War II and was sold back to the Chesapeake and Ohio railroads after the war to become the "Greenbrier".  That is when one of the most famous American designers ever, Dorothy Draper, was hired to refurbish it.  Today it still  embodies her philosophy of color and  stark contrast. When picking wallpapers and fabrics for the Greenbrier, she said " show me nothing that looks like gravy"!   Her protege , Carleton Varney, " Mr. Color" still oversees the design of the hotel. In 2009 the hotel filed for bankruptcy and was rescued by James and Kathy Justice, West Virginia natives who made their fortune in milling and farming.   A state of the art casino and several new restaurants were built and the rest is history.  It is absolutely drop dead gorgeous.  I spent 2 days just soaking in the decor, while Mr. RTH fly fished on their pristine Howard Creek, catching over 60 rainbow trout in 3 hours!  It is a golfer's paradise and spa goers are in heaven with the  incredible array of treatments being offered at the Greenbrier's spa. Culinary classes are taught twice a day in the hotel's gourmet shop, while tours of the underground secret bunkers built during the cold war for the President and Congress are given every couple of hours. It is a fascinating place- full of American history but ready for a glorious future.  Seven restaurants are on the property, with ball room dancing in the main dining room during dinner service.  It is a farm to table concept, with much of the food grown on the premises.  In the steak house, a lobster and mashed potato dish was  featured on the Food Network's "the best thing I ever had to eat".  We ordered it and have to agree.  But I have to add that Cathy Justice's cornbread - that she won a blue ribbon for at the state fair and is served in Jerry West's steakhouse - is also fantastic.  While dining, you are given a copy of the recipe on the back of a blue ribbon for a keepsake!  This is a charming- must see- hotel and resort.  It is less than a 6 hour drive from most cities on the East Coast- but soon Jim Justice will be launching new luxury  Amtrak cars from  Washington, DC's Union Station  to come to the resort, as the Amtrak station is a short walk to the entrance.  His team is refurbishing 1950's sleeper cars into luxury Pullman cars. for service to White Sulphur Springs. How cool is that? 

The Inn at Little Washington

the Inn at Little Washington - formerly a garage- the large front windows were once the garage doors.



the draped entrance to the inn- a charming touch

entrance lobby

bales of hay, zinnias, and gourds make a festive floral display

the inn is a member of the Relais and Chateaux family of properties. Relais and Chateaux was established in France over 50 years ago and is a collection of excellent inns and restaurants throughout the world. All of the properties in the Relais and Chateaux group were chosen for their superb food and the unique and  distinctive beauty that their property offers its guests. 

main dining room with tables spaced far enough apart to have a private conversation

another dining area facing the patio

a sweet spot for breakfast

the lounge  for after dinner drinks and conversation

crisp potatoes stuffed with a "french onion dip cheese" filling and finished with fresh herbs and caviar
to start the meal

" a touch of autumn " soup and cheese puffs  as the next course.  Soup is made of apples, butternut squash, rutabaga, onions, carrots and cream and finished with a touch of maple syrup- divine!

 

pappardelle with chanterelle mushrooms, blenheim apricots and ribbons of country ham

ice cream sandwich - oh help me- please!
Southern Butter Pecan Ice Cream Sandwich with Bittersweet Chocolate and Hot Caramel Sauce

freshly made breads and pastries for breakfast with  homemade jams

a plastic cow rescued from the county fair and repurposed as a rolling cheese cart!  too cute for words!
When the waiter brings him out , they wave an antique toy that makes the sound of a cow moo-ing!

A recent addition to the inn-  a new state of the art kitchen.

pot rack is fashioned over a huge window that lights the room with sunlight during the day's prep time

notice the grooves at the bottom of the buffet to hold the room service trays upright.

the cute bar - where you are first taken when you arrive at the inn and presented with  a signature cocktail to welcome you.
There is no formal checking in at this establishment - no asking for your credit card,etc.  It is like you are arriving at
your best friends home for the weekend.

the well stocked bar

hand painted monkeys in the bar area

the garden off the dining spaces

koi fish in the patio water feature

patio entrance to the dining room

the cutting garden - there is a florist on premises to keep the exquisite arrangements in the inn perfect.

by the cutting garden

the vegetable garden - still producing this late in the season

eggplant ready for the chef

lots of greens

grazing sheep

fresh eggs everyday

a house available to rent through the inn

another cottage for rent

garden in the back of a cute little cottage

perfection!

Opening in  the seventies in the small little bucolic town of Washington, Virginia - less than 2 hours west of Washington, D.C., the Inn at Little Washington is a true gem.  It has consistently received 5 star ratings and has been said to be one of the top 10 restaurants in the world.  And with all of these accolades and numerous prestigious awards, the chef proprietor, Patrick O'Connell is a self taught chef!  How cool is that!  Once you arrive, your luggage is grabbed from you and immediately taken to your room, while you are given a welcome tour and a cocktail in the bar.  It is like they know who you are - no asking for a credit card - just "it's good to have you here - let us show you around"! The decor is whimsical, a little bit Ralph Lauren, a little bit baroque, but very cool. Antiques abound and are upholstered in rich jewel tone colors.  The gardens in and around the property are inspiring and well cared for.  The gift shop was tasty; full of home accessories and books that you wanted-needed to buy. But the highlight of the stay was the food- oh my my!  When first sitting down, you are presented with a specially prepared menu just for you. Surprised with amuse bouches throughout the dinner service, it was a meal to remember forever.  Purchasing Patrick O'Connell's cookbook was a must as it is filled with unique recipes - most simple enough that a home cook could attempt them. Staying at the Inn at Little Washington was a treat beyond words- the staff so nice and down to earth.

If there was such a thing as a "6 Star" rating, the Inn at Little Washington would receive it! If ever in the area, this is a must do!