my husband and i booked a long weekend at the greenbrier in white sulphur springs,west virgina.it's always rated very highly and of course pretty expensive.has anyone ever stayed there that can give me any pointer?thanks....

Check the text search archives. This was discussed in detail not too long ago.
Overall: stuffy, formal. Jackets in evening everywhere for men. Lots of conventions/groups there. Not usually the type of service you get at a good Four Seasons hotel.
But, yes, it is pretty there.

The Greenbrier is beautiful...but, if I were going to that area, I would DEFINITELY choose The Homestead over the Greenbrier. Reason being the latter is more relaxed and the staff really take care of you, in a homey kind of way. I am an Event Planner and have used both properties several times, and The Homestead is always more personable to myself and my clients. Many activities right there onsite, which is a plus when you see how long it takes to get to the property!! It's a long, winding road, so be prepared! have a great time!

Now we have event planners trolling this site with recommendations. When are you people going to learn that there is no solicitation on this board.

And, to those of you who don't know--event planners get commissions on recommending certain hotels just like travel agents....

but you know what "xxxx"?
The Homestead really IS an outstanding resort with many of the same amenities as the Greenbrier....just a different, more casual 'feel' to it.
In fact, it was rated 6th in the USA in the most recent Conde Nast Traveler ranking of resorts/spas....

So....regardless of Tracy's status, "xxxx", her contribution is valid, useful information.

When agents with agendas (i.e. profit motive) post info which is biased and may not be in the best interest of the travel consumer, it irritates me and such info should be eliminated at this forum. Tracy's opinion is verifiably correct and unbiased.
So she's off the hook as far as I'm concerned.

I hate to add to a debate, but I feel I must put in my $.02. I, too, am an event planner who posts on this site. However, I do not post looking for business or trying to persuade people toward certain properties on my behalf. First of all, there is no way that I (or anyone) would ever get a commission for a recommendation on this board. Second, I post based on my personal experiences with different resorts and locations. Some of them come from my own vacations, some of them are from my business trips. I feel that my opinions are valid and are in no way trying to drum up business for certain resorts. Event planners have the benefit of seeing a LOT of different properties--we know who has good service and who doesn't. We know what our attendees like and what they don't. This information is helpful! I agree that people posting with their phone numbers and "special offers" should not be on this board, but Tracey and myself (as well as any other closet event planners out there) should be welcome here as long as our opinions are helpful to others.

thank you everyone for your suggestions.i may look into the homestead and determine which may be the closest for us from our home.thanks again.

Oh Please-You event planners get $$$$ off of properties just like travel agents and your opinions are BIASED! The purpose of this site is to keep it free from that kind of crap. What's the matter all your corporate accounts drying up with the economy going south so you have to troll on a travel site????

I normally don't get sucked into this kind of pointless conversation but could somebody tell me how Tracy or sktravler would hope to get a commision out of their advice. What is somebody going to do? - Call the Homestead (which by the way, I do think is better than the Greenbrier for the resons listed above) and say sktraveler from Fodor's website recommended you. Yeah, I'm sure they will cut that commision check right away. Give ME a break.
By the way, I do appreciate any and all opinions - as long as there is no solicitaion. People in the travel industry would know better than anyone else about these things

I'm staying out of this event planner debate! I posted on an early question about the Greenbrier vs. Homestead, having stayed at both a couple of times each for my husband's work. I felt the Greenbrier was a bit snooty and formal. At the Homestead we could relax. Plus at the Greenbrier each time we were there, all of the guests (including us) were white or some close variation, however the staff was almost all African American. That made me uncomfortable. The Homestead was more multiracial in both guests and staff.

Thanks everyone for coming to my rescue!! I can't stop laughing at this person that is beating me up over just giving my opinion. Carol, I am so sorry that your simple, innocent question has turned into an Event Planner bashing. I honestly was just telling you what I think of the 2 properties.... have a great time wherever you end up going.....and if your husband is a golfer then he'll definitely want to try the Cascades courses at Homestead (I, of course,being the malicious down and out Event Planner, will get HUGE COMMISSIONS off of this!) Cheers!

As you may know, Tracy (TIEP), there have been some VERY persistent and irritating travel agents on this board in years past. Some were amazingly brazen in their attempts to solicit business here (for travel to Hawaii in particular).
As such, some reactionary individuals with limited discernment capacity lash out at anyone remotely linked to professional travel.
As such, you're being 'lumped' with these other undesirables without justification. Sorry for the behavior of these individuals (the agents and the indiscriminant bashers).

For Pete's sake, Tracy! Next time just say you're an accountant. You really should know better.

Tracy posted her real email addy and mentioned she was an event planner. That is solicitation and against the rules here.