July 16th, 2010

The opening of the Casino Club at The Greenbrier was an unforgettable moment in the resort’s history. By 4:30 in the afternoon, guests of the opening event were standing at the front of the hotel, dressed in stunning ball gowns and black tuxedos, along with photographers anxiously awaiting the celebrities’ arrival. Antique cars dropped each celebrity off at the freshly planted main entrance as the stars walked down the red carpet and entered the hotel. After the celebrity arrival, guests were served a five-star dinner wine pairing. After dinner, Lionel Ritchie performed an intimate performance, where guests could dance and sing along to their favorite hits. Even Brooke Shields got in on the fun, joining Lionel Ritchie on stage.

After the performance, everyone was handed a glass of champagne as they toasted the ribbon cutting with Jim Justice, along with celebrity guests, state luminaries and The Sporting Club’s own John Klemish. Guests filled the 103,000-square foot, elegantly designed casino, eager to start playing their favorite games. The roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps, three-card poker and Texas Hold ‘em tables were all filled within minutes of the opening. Some guests found themselves stationed at the slot machines while others enjoyed a drink or bite to eat at the restaurants within the casino, including In-Fusion, an Asian sushi bar also featuring Pacific Rim cuisine – and Twelve Oaks, an equestrian-themed, high-end lounge.

Guests may now stroll down “Greenbrier Avenue,” the mezzanine level, for an exclusive shopping experience. This level is filled with chic boutiques featuring designers such as St. John, Badgley Mischka, Diane von Furstenburg, Milly and Judith Lieber, Robert Graham, Brioni, Robert Talbott, and Brunello Cuccinelli.

During the evening, attention was called to a springhouse replica in the middle of the casino. All play stopped and the Belles and Gentlemen performed “The Greenbrier Waltz.” Another champagne toast followed the waltz, marking the beginning of a new Greenbrier tradition.

The opening of the Casino Club signaled the beginning of a new era for The Greenbrier. And the fun did not stop there.

The Casino opening kicked off what was one of the busiest weekends the resort has seen in years, with a spectacular 4th of July parade through downtown White Sulphur Springs and culminating on the grounds of the resort. Also during the weekend was the ribbon cutting of Café Carleton, which overlooks the casino, the cutting of a remarkable springhouse cake created by The Sporting Club’s Executive Pastry Chef Amy Mills, a Lilly Pulitzer fashion show, and the magnificent firework show over the golf course.

To be sure, the weekend provided many memorable moments for Greenbrier guests and Sporting Club members!

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