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Image courtesy of Primland Resort, Auberge Resort Collection
The best wellness escapes are often closer than one thinks. Exhibit A: Primland Resort, a 12,000-acre private estate in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blue Ridge Mountains are a hidden gem of sorts. But Auberge has a knack for finding the perfect, if unexpected, locations for their luxe properties. (See more of the best Auberge resorts.)
“It's an Auberge, so it's no surprise that their design nails the sense of place — the Blue Ridge Mountains — giving you that cozy, homey but elevated feeling,” said Fora Advisor Claire Herzog, one of our top Primland bookers.
Primland Resort overlooks lush valleys (which are especially beautiful in the fall, when the tree-covered expanse turns into a sea of oranges and reds); miles of mountain trails are begging to be explored. All Auberge properties celebrate and deeply respect their natural surroundings, and this is true of Primland as well. From the resort’s slate of outdoor activities and holistic wellness offerings to their organic and locally sourced food, everything comes back to nature. If Virginia wasn’t at the top of your list for a rejuvenating reset, now it will be.
Ready to travel? Connect with Fora to plan and book your stay at Primland Resort today.
Luxe country accommodations: suites, homes and tree houses
Image courtesy of Primland Resort, Auberge Resort Collection
Primland offers a range of room types, all of which display a soothing, country-mountain-chic aesthetic (dark wood, giant windows, mosaic tiling). (We also love the mountain-chic aesthetic at another one of Auberge’s properties, Hotel Jerome, in Aspen.) The Lodge, the report’s homebase, houses various levels of rooms and suites, in addition to the hotel’s observatory. For an especially unique selection, opt for the two-story Celestial Suite, found within the hotel’s observatory tower, complete with wrap-around windows and a luxe spiral staircase.
Fairway rooms dot Primland’s world-class golf course. Each boasts hardwood floors, towering ceilings, handsome fireplaces and outdoor decks. Several of these options are ideal for larger groups or families craving some extra space. For cozy, chalet-chic accommodations with stunning valley views, the Pinnacle rooms are your best bet.
And for something extra romantic, choose one of Primland’s two Tree Houses, which overlook the Dan River Gorge. Each elevated, red-cedar house was designed by La Cabane Perchée, a French treehouse architectural firm. Expect private decks, a luxe cabin feel and stunning views. The Mountain Top Tree House even has an outdoor shower and hot tub. Even better, both options are adults-only (although most of Primland’s other accommodation options are very much family-friendly).
Primland Resort is a locavore’s paradise
Image courtesy of Primland Resort, Auberge Resort Collection
Primland strikes the perfect balance between elevated, meticulously sourced gastronomy and sophisticated but relaxed settings. Elements, the resort’s main restaurant, serves breakfast and dinner in a stylish, moody space outfitted with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the natural landscape. As with all of Primland’s dining outlets, everything is locally sourced or procured from the onsite organic garden.
For breakfast, sample colorful smoothies, omelets made with fresh-gathered eggs, housemade bread or sweet classics drizzled with the hotel’s own maple syrup. The dinner menu, too, relies on the seasons. Indulge in local elk with black garlic and foraged mushrooms, heirloom grits showered in Parmesan and chives or green beans rich with brown butter and roasted hazelnuts.
The casual, lively 19th Pub will be your go-to spot for refueling after a day of activity. The all-day menu features thoughtful takes on comfort classics: chicken wings, sliders, sandwiches — all of which are nonetheless treated to Primland’s locavore culinary ethos, of course. Don’t miss the restaurant’s home-brewed moonshine and happy-hour cocktails. For additional cocktail mastery, head to Tobacco Barn, where you’ll sip seasonal libations to the tune of live Bluegrass music.
Fora Advisor Louisa Vann, another one of our top Primland bookers, noted that the barn was a “standout event” for her clients, the perfect way to end the perfect vacation.
At Stables Saloon, located within the resort’s former horse stables, dine on traditional Southern cuisine (fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, bacon chocolate chip cookies), also amid live music. And don’t overlook the Lodge’s Schlumberger Wine Cellar, which curates tastings, wine dinners and private get-togethers.
Nature-based wellness reigns
Images courtesy of Primland Resort, Auberge Resort Collection
Primland Resort is part of Auberge, which means wellness is top of mind. The Auberge Spa draws from Native American traditions and uses organic, wildcrafted products in their treatments. Choose from heavenly massages and Naturopathica facials, pedicures and haircuts. Or, go for a holistic body therapy treatment. Have your body enveloped in a rejuvenating scrub — blue corn and honey, seasonal herbs, oil-infused salt — before enjoying a massage. (In-room treatments are also available.)
There are complimentary outdoor yoga classes throughout the week, as well as two al-fresco meditation decks. (You can also book a private yoga or meditation class.) Train in the hotel’s modern gym, with its indoor heated pool, sauna and steam room. Outdoors, hit the tennis court and explore the property’s maze of trails. In keeping with the nature theme, Primland Resort is even outfitted with a Bootleggers Outdoor Gym and Fitness Trail, the ultimate outdoor fitness endeavor.
Primland’s experiences cater to every type of traveler
Image courtesy of Primland Resort, Auberge Resort Collection
When it comes to activities, you’ll never be lacking things to do — or blissfully not do. Sitting on your wooden deck, book or cocktail in hand, as you take in the views is highly encouraged.
Explore mountain trails via RTV, followed by a Champagne picnic consisting of local smoked trout, cheeses and meats. Families will delight in a foraging adventure, where a resident naturalist educates adults and children alike on the area’s native flora and fauna. Paddleboarding, kayaking, family hikes, horseback riding, golf and fireside s’mores are but a sampling of what’s available.
Primland is also the perfect spot for special celebrations: multi-generational get-togethers, birthdays, weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Claire has clients heading there this summer, for a “low-key bachelor party.”
“They will golf by day, enjoy fantastic food and cocktails by night and end the weekend relaxed and wholly content,” Claire said.
The Junior Mountaineers Kids Club champions outdoors exploration, of course: archery, pond fishing, disc golf… Archery is also on offer for adults, as is clay shooting, angling and more. Primland Resort often hosts special dinners and tastings, too (a five-course dinner hosted by Moët-Hennessy is one upcoming option). Whether you’re traveling solo, with family, friends or your significant other, options abound. But whatever you do, make sure you stop by Primland’s observatory. Observe the starlit sky via extraordinarily advanced telescopes. You’ll be amazed at what you can see in the absence of light pollution.
Ready to escape to Primland Resort? Connect with Fora to plan and book your Virginia getaway today.
