This week SmartFlyer advisor Annie Chambers gives us her onsite report from Primland, a 12,000-acre mountain estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains that is part of the Auberge group. It offers an ideal getaway, including golf, spa, hiking, shooting, dining, and more. There are plenty of five-star accommodations options to choose from, including luxurious treehouses, so read on.
By Annie Chambers
Primland, an Auberge Resort, is a private estate immersed in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Unfolding across the smoke-hued highlands of Virginia, this mountain range is a natural paradise of forest-cloaked peaks and sun-dappled valleys. At the heart of this pristine wilderness, Primland Resort awaits on its own 12,000-acre mountain estate. Woodland beauty awaits you in the regal manor house with its skirt of emerald fairways and the romantic log cabins and treehouses perched above the Dan River Gorge.
It is a romantic getaway for those who wish to escape to experience leaf-peeping season along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Spend the first half of your day on the trails and recharge with some quick bites and a bluegrass live band. Then, unwind together at the spa and take in the sunset in your very own treetop accommodation.
Take advantage of exceptional stargazing from the resort’s Observatory Dome with its powerful telescope and prime mountaintop setting, you can see millions of stars. The take one of the resort’s RTVs out for a guided spin and enjoy panoramic perspectives of the property on trails created especially for off-roading.
The nearest airport with a runway of at least 5,000 feet is Blue Ridge Airport in Martinsville, Virginia, about 45 minutes away. There is a helipad located at the resort as well. Smith-Reynolds airport in Winston-Salem is 55 miles away. Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is 75 miles away.
Accommodations
Primland’s varied accommodation options are elegantly appointed, reflecting the estate’s abundance of space. From the Lodge accommodations offer easy access to the resort’s theater, games room, and golf course. Primland’s three intimate Treehouses offer a signature experience. These stays offer unparalleled privacy sweeping views of the majestic Kibler Valley from their king-size beds, sumptuous bathrooms, and magnificent wooden decks.
Celestial Suite
The two-story Celestial Suite offers 1,800-sq.ft. of tranquil space in the Lodge’s Observatory Tower, directly below the Primland observatory. Wraparound windows reveal the golf course, its fringe of forests and the Blue Ridge Mountains by day and a vast expanse of stars at night. The king-size bedroom is on the upper level, while the suite’s large living room is on the lower level, connected via a custom-designed spiral staircase. The master bathroom and separate powder room feature imported European glass mosaic tiles.
Woodpecker Loft Suite
Situated on the golf course, the 1,338-sq.ft. Woodpecker Loft Suite offers an upstairs bedroom with a king-sized bed, a large, proportioned bathroom with a window-side tub and heated floors, kitchenette, and a large living room. Also enjoy access to a private putting green.
Barn Owl Treehouse
Built just for two, the 440-sq.ft. Barn Owl Treehouse provides a unique lodging experience from the aerial perspective of an owl perched in a tall tree. And that’s exactly where this unique abode is situated – in the strong limbs of a beautiful old oak perched on a scenic ridge. Offering sweeping views of Roaring Creek Gorge all the way to North Carolina’s Pilot Mountain in the distance, this treehouse is built of aromatic cedar wood with an expansive private deck. Dappled with sunlight dancing through the leaves during the day, this makes a spectacular stargazing platform at night considering its 2,700-foot elevation.
Pool and Gym
A waterfall and sauna ideal for unwinding down after a workout. The pool offers an indoor and outdoor experience and features a waterfall and sauna and is ideal for swimming laps or cooling off after a workout. Retractable glass windows allows the pool area to open out to the resort’s outdoor lounge space. There are also two fitness facilities, one indoors complete with treadmills and a Peloton bike. The outdoor facility features a soft-surface tennis court, two open-air yoga/meditation decks, and Bootleggers Outdoor Gym and Fitness Trail.
Spa
The Spa at Primland combines Native American healing rituals with cutting-edge modern spa techniques, organic products, and essential oils to provide the most revitalizing and beneficial experience possible. Highly trained therapists offer a range of massages, facials, scrubs, and wraps in the tranquil spa treatment rooms, while the salon provides professional hair and nail services. We recommend their Mountain Mindset meditation-and-hot-stone-massage treatment.
Golf
Showcasing breathtaking mountain views at every turn, The Highland Course at Primland melds with the natural landscape to offer players of all skill levels the challenge they desire. Opened in 2006 by renowned golf course architect, Donald Steel, the 18-hole course recently ranked fourth-best in Virginia by Golf Digest and second in the state by Golfweek.
Restaurants and Bars
Menus feature dishes crafted with produce grown in the resort’s own gardens. Experience elegant fine dining in the Lodge at their restaurant flagship restaurant, Elements, or follow forested trails to Stables Saloon and Woodland Grill: casually atmospheric eateries in scenic settings. The 19th Pub is a well-stocked bar and hearty pub fare. The international menu has something for everyone, from smoked duck sliders to the Pig Candy Club, featuring thick-cut, maple syrup-and-cayenne-coated bacon. Get a taste of the region’s rich bootlegging history with home-brewed moonshine inspiring a range of happy hour cocktails.
VIP Contact
Email Annie Chambers of SmartFlyer at annie.chambers@smartflyer.com.
