The Lodge at Primland, Auberge Collection

Why book?

Wake to the sounds of wildlife and the view of the sun glinting over the mountains, and drift off at night to the gentle chatter around the firepit, swathed in a blanket of darkness. This luxury property is ensconced in nature, as it is just as much about the grand, modern amenities as it is about the access to the great outdoors.

Set the scene

Deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Primland is like a luxury outdoor camp for adults, complete with horseback riding, hiking, fishing, an aerial adventure course, and nightly s’mores around the firepit. There is plenty in store for those who head to this Virginia gem, not the least of which is its world-class golf course with stunning views from every hole, and exceptional dining options. Additional on-site activities include nightly guided stargazing in the observatory, archery and tomahawk throwing for those who’d like to test out their aim, and off-road RTV mountain tours to explore the property in style.

I approached Primland from the airport in Greensboro, South Carolina, a 90-minute drive that takes you through scenic North Carolina and up into Virginia before settling in the Blue Ridge Mountains. For the final 20 minutes of my ride, a surprise storm hit, washing the surrounding plantlife in more vibrant colours, but as we rolled up the hill, the skies cleared, the sun came out, and The Lodge at Primland was framed in a hazy, beautiful glow. It’s quiet here, the wildlife and nature taking the starring role, but the staff are still exceptionally friendly, the other hotel guests happy to engage in a quick chat, and the views unparalleled.

The backstory

The 12,000 acres of land, which is now Primland, was originally purchased in 1977 by the French oil magnate, Didier Primat. In 2006, the Highland Golf Course officially opened; however, it wasn’t until 2009 that a resort was constructed and guests were invited to stay overnight at the property.

The rooms

At the heart of the property is The Lodge, with 23 suites and 30 rooms. It’s also where you’ll find the Leatherflower restaurant, Laurel Bar, and Schlumberger Wine Cellar (which can be booked for private parties or enjoyed during a wine tasting). There’s also a slightly removed, luxury six-bedroom residence ideal for large groups, and a variety of mountain homes to accommodate more guests. But the real draw is the treehouses, designed by French architectural firm La Cabane Perchee, and a bit harder to get to than the lodge (requiring four-wheel drive vehicles), but worth the effort when you wake up every morning to complete solitude in a corner of Primland’s 12,000 wooded acres. The property also features a variety of mountain homes, which can accommodate guests seeking even more privacy.

I stayed in a suite at The Lodge, which featured extra-plush beds for a great night's sleep, stone and wood design that felt rooted in the surrounding nature without losing its luxury touch, Frette linens, down duvets, and a private balcony that overlooked the golf course and mountains. The first thing I did after waking up every morning was open the curtains and enjoy the spectacular view (with breakfast delivered straight to my room, of course).

Food and drink

Primland is home to some exceptional dining options, which is ideal since you likely won’t be heading off property once you arrive. Leatherflower, their main restaurant, gives guests a glimpse into the tastes of Appalachia. It offers both breakfast and dinner. For breakfast, the grits bowl was the perfect savoury taste of the South, while the Blue Ridge smoothie was great for those who crave something a bit sweet in the mornings. For dinner, you can’t go wrong with anything on the seasonal menu. For something a bit more casual, head to Laurel Bar, where you can have burgers, salad, charcuterie, and the like. As suggested to me by a few staff members, consider ordering a side of “pig candy,” a sweet and spicy version of candied bacon that’s perfect for snacking on. The property also has Stables Saloon, where you can indulge in family-style classic Southern favourites (and music), and the Schlumberger Wine Cellar (which can be booked for private parties or enjoyed during a wine tasting).

The spa

There are few places more relaxing than the spa at Primland, which you’ll leave feeling rested, refreshed, and ready for another long day of activities tomorrow. There’s an indoor pool and hot tub that overlook the grounds, as well as a relaxation room that faces the gorgeous outdoor greenery. The spa menu has just about everything you could desire, from bespoke facials to salt scrubs to massages to manicures. There are also seasonal offerings as well as speciality offerings with visiting master practitioners.

The neighbourhood

Set in the Meadows of Dan, Virginia, Primland feels like a village all of its own. Most people who visit tend to stay on the property for the full duration of their trip, especially since the food is delicious, the space is modern yet homey, and there are so many activities on offer that you’d never be able to do them all. If you are interested in going off property, you’d definitely need a car of your own. The property itself is massive – It takes almost 20 minutes to drive from the front gate to The Lodge – and surrounded by nature. It’s located in a quiet, rural town, with the closest big cities (and airports) being Greensboro, North Carolina (about 90 minutes away), and Charlotte, North Carolina (about two-and-a-half hours away).

The service

No matter which room you stay in, what activities you do, and who you meet, you’ll leave Primland thinking the same thing: the staff here really love their job. The first member of the team whom I met was proudly celebrating 21 years with the property, and throughout the full duration of my stay, I continued to meet people who, simply put, wanted to stick around. Aside from clearly loving their jobs, the staff were all happy to go out of their way to help guests, always open to a quick chat if I wanted one, and welcomed me with genuine smiles on their faces.

For families

While Primland may be a luxury outdoor camp for adults, it's also just as fun for kids. The property features a Junior Mountaineers Kids Club for guests aged 6-12, which offers fun activities such as horseback riding, fishing, and foraging. There’s also a Junior Astronomers activity held in the Telescope Dome throughout the fall, which is open to families with children 10 and under.

Eco effort

Being a nature-focused property, Primland has a few different things in place to help maintain the environment. They have a few efforts in place to minimise the impact on the land, including cooking with sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients in the restaurants.

Accessibility

Many areas of the resort are accessible to individuals with disabilities, including the meeting room/ballroom area, one restaurant, the pool entrance, and the spa entrance. There are accessible guest rooms with 32” width clearance, as well as accessible registration and concierge desks.

Anything left to mention?

For a real treat, head to the observatory for a nightly guided stargazing session – I can guarantee by the end of it you’ll be interested in buying your own telescope. Also, due to the massive size of the property, you’ll either make liberal use of the valets to shuttle you around from one activity to the next, or want to bring your own car.