The Greenbrier Spa

OK. Spa itself was great at checkin and the men’s locker room was also great. I had a men’s facial and had a young therapist that informed me she has done hair, nails, makeup, etc. I was like she must be pretty accomplished at this age. Overall she was extremely pleasant, but definitely a rookie on the actual service provided. Key elements of the facial were missing even though I asked a few times. I live in Las Vegas and have visited pretty renown places both there and NYC and think I have a good feel for what to expect. I spoke to the manager after the facial and they are rescheduling another. I will change my rating based on that visit. The manager was extremely dedicated and I think really appreciated the feedback.

I have visited the Greenbrier Spa twice now and have loved it both times. The relaxation room is lovely. The facilities are perfect. My facial was amazing… my skin has never looked so good! And of course my facialist was as sweet as can be (just like everyone else who works at the hotel). Highly recommended!

Had a great experience. Greenbrier signature treatment. Sulfur soak smelled like farts but it’s sulfur — duh. Swiss shower and scotch spray were strange, but bit in an unpleasant way. Best I can describe it — water cannon massage operated by the spa attendant. Unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. In the end, husband and I both liked it. Massage from Eric was awesome. I asked for his name on the way out so could write it up in this review.
Relaxation room was a bit lacking in magazines and shower in spa had low water pressure — that was a bit disappointing.
Bottom line: totally unique, once in a lifetime experience

Reception is very nice, and everyone is beyond polite. The relaxation room is directly off the main reception area, so you can still hear people outside, and there’s quite a bit of traffic from the locker rooms to the various spa areas. In other «five star» facilities, the relaxation area is rather secluded so you can enjoy the room without much noise.
After a brief stint sipping on some water and flipping through a magazine, I was summoned for a sulphur soak. I’m not sure what the benefits are, but it was fine. When you’re in White Sulphur Springs, you might as well bathe in water from a sulphur spring.
Immediately following the soak, I was led to a shower stall featuring numerous shower heads for an immersive spray-​down. I enjoyed this until the water went deadly cold at which point I walked out and waited for my spa guy to come back. After I commented on the cold, he asked me to stand back in the shower stall. I assumed perhaps he’d be adjusting the temperature. I was truly mistaken.
If you’ve ever had someone spray you with a garden hose set to «stream», you know that beat-​down feeling it has on your skin. Evidently they call this a «Swiss Shower and Scotch Spray», and it’s not so much a spray as it is a blasting. The spa attendant generously suggests you cover your wobbly bits and proceeds to maneuver several levers on a console that looks straight out of a vintage Bond film. Then, before you know what’s happening, he’s steering two nozzles at you, pelting you with warm water in the tenderest of places. This aqua assault lasts for a few minutes, and covers front, side, and back.
After learning how a patio feels after a pressure wash, I was led to a stall to dry off and proceed to the massage portion, which is your typical Swedish massage. Nothing of note here, just a typical massage.
Post-​massage, you can choose to use the steam room and/​or the sauna. Both are large and quite nice. Numerous showers are available and well-​stocked for the post-​spa wrap-​up.
For grooming needs, there are a pair of sinks directly next to the urinals in the bathroom. I found the placement a bit off-​putting, and though I enjoyed the time I had to shave and clean up, hearing everyone’s pee and flush was a little too much like home for me.
Overall, the spa experience here is nice but not a good value when compared to experiences at other nationally-​known resorts offering similar amenities. Had I known what I was in for with the Scotch spray business, I’d have probably skipped it. Which is not to say I thought I’d be served scotch while showering, but rather I felt a bit like a demonstrator in 1960s Chicago, voluntarily taking a water cannon to the ass. I just don’t think it added much to the experience. The older gentleman in the adjoining stall might disagree, as I believe I heard him say «let me have it!» quite enthusiastically.

Too pricey for what you get. Booked a Superior Room for a romantic weekend with my wife — a bigger room seemed like a good idea, but the TV sat in an armoire 30 ft. from the bed.
So the front desk staff was nice enough to accomodate my when I requested a room change to a slightly smaller room. They let me check it out and it seemed fine. In taking the room they assured me that while not in the North wing which is the quietest part of the hotel, this room was at the end of a hallway and should be nice and quiet. Wrong — they failed to mention that the heating and cooling plant for the entire complex was right below our windows. We got zero sleep from the noise which we did not notice until midnight when we turned the TV off! Add that together with the mushy bed and we couldn’t stay here another night.
Again, the front desk was very accomodating and did not hold us to the two night stay on our package reservation. Of course they did create the problem by moving us to a room that anyone at the facility must know is in a very iffy location for noise.
We did salvage the weekend by switching to a lovely smaller resort near Charlottesville on our way home to Northern Virginia. Once will definately be enough for us to visit this spa.

I decided to see what a 5 star spa is like during my recent stay at the resort. It’s expensive for sure so I opted for a manicure only. Upon arrival I paid and was led to a room where all the other «ladies who spa» were wearing robes and flip-​flops. I’m guessing they were in for the works. I was in my regular attire and am glad I always carry a book as there was nothing to do but «lounge» until time for my appt. Rosanna came for me and provided an excellent experience. She was kind enough to humor me on my request that she pick my nail colour, and she explained each of the procedures and how they would help my (IMO, dry) nails and cuticles. She gave me a French manicure which I’ve never had because I’ve always thought them ticky-​tacky; I’ve amended this observation as I realized I usually see it on square shaped tips (HATE) or acrylics (UGLY). The finish she gave me looks like my natural nails only more vibrant — very pretty.

A spa weekend would not be such if there were no trips to the spa!
Upon check-​in, you’re asked to pay for your spa services. Tip is already included. I initially found this a bit odd, but then realizing the number of amenities I was able to use after my treatment, not having to pay was quite nice.
I got the detox kur, which is (detoxifying mud bath, an invigorating Swiss Shower and Scotch Spray, mud body mask and a petite massage). The mixed up my cousin and I, starting me off with a sulfur soak instead. My spa technician came in halfway through the soak (10 min) and apologized. I asked for them to add the mud component, so I got a bit of both. The scotch spray shower was awesome! Lots of water coming at you from all angles, though it was a bit weird to have the spa technician spraying a hose from a few feet away. Nonetheless, it definitely got the circulation going.
The head massage that she gave me after the mud mask was applied was awesome! The massage was great too. She had the most soothing voice and I practically fell asleep!
The lounge area had water, spa water, peach iced tea, tea and other snacks for consumption. The steam room and sauna were available for us as well. I opted for the sauna. The pool is located just outside the spa area (past the bowling lanes if you’re coming from the spa). The pool had a grecian vibe to it and was a bit on the cool side which was refreshing.
Prices are a little bit more than the average spa, but that’s to be expected at the Greenbrier.