The Greenbrier | West Virginia Architectural Photographer

During our recent visit back east, V & I had the opportunity to cover a lot of territory.  The fact that we drive everywhere makes this possible.  As in, drove out to the east coast from Utah.

We certainly appeared a little worse for wear: Utah plates on a fairly disheveled SUV (those winter storms, ice, salt, and mud takes their tolls); backseats down and all of our gear & luggage piled high; not always dressed in our best for 14-hour-days behind the wheel.  To boot, V is usually unshaven for the duration of our trip, and since this one was two months long, he looked a little, well, shaggy.

All of the above made our visit to the iconic Greenbrier Resort somewhat ironic (and it didn’t help that we accidentally pulled into the employee driveway looking, like idiots, for ‘the front’ of the property, which as you can see from the photo below is pretty unmistakable).

Nonetheless, I was not going to be deterred.  I’ve heard about the Greenbrier for YEARS.  It’s the epitome of traditional Southern charm and resort excellence, and highly unique and distinctive in its architecture and interior design.  In short, it’s the quintessential world-class retreat-from-the-world, and I just HAD to see it if we were going to be passing through West Virginia.

While we didn’t make it to the spa (which my friend Emily assures me is the most amazing spa ever), frolicking through the halls, stairwells, great rooms, and sitting areas was magnificent.  V doesn’t often get starstruck by a property, but this one had his bedraggled self mesmerized.  So, so beautiful.