Exploring Primland, an Auberge Resort
The Hideaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains

I consider myself a true west coaster, yet spent almost half my life on the east coast.  Because of that, Virginia will forever have my heart.  I love the four seasons, the warm hospitality, diverse cultures, rich history and endless scenery.   In October I was back in Virginia on a personal trip with my husband. We opted to kick things off in a remote region called Meadows of Dan, approximately two hours south of Roanoke.  Celebrating our wedding anniversary, and being an avid fan of the Auberge properties, we knew experiencing Primland could not be missed. 

We arrived at the perfect time.  As we headed south from the Roanoke / Blacksburg region on the historic Blue Ridge Parkway, we could see the leaves slightly turning colors by the hour.   So we took our time as we drove. We stopped at a few of the vista points to take in the vastness of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  For city dwellers an escape like this should be mandatory each year.  The fresh air and slower pace immediately brings a sense of relief from what tends to be a very packed schedule at home.

Once we pulled into the main gate of Primland we gauged pretty quickly that the property was sprawling.  We were not wrong.  Primland is spread across 12,000 acres with the main lodge situated on one of the taller peaks overlooking the golf course, valley and surrounding mountains.  If you’re looking to truly get away from the hustle, you’ve come to the right place.

The Accommodations

We stayed in one of the Pinnacle Cottages, with our own private balcony and endless views of the valley below.  What I love about these spacious, private and cozy cottages is that they can be perfectly suitable for a couple looking for privacy. They are also designed for larger groups or families wanting to stay in close proximity to each other.

If you’re lucky enough to snag one of the Tree Houses, I highly suggest you do so when you’re traveling with friends and/or family.  The Houses are clustered in close proximity to each other which allows for a true sense of exclusivity.  The team can set up a private happy hour in between the houses which I love the sound of!

The Fairway Cabins and the Main Lodge itself round out the accommodation offerings.  In total there are less than 100 beds in the entire resort collection. That’s across 10,000+ acres. Which equates to a truly intimate stay despite the vast footprint of the property itself.  

The Activities

There are endless activities to enjoy during your stay.  Golf, yoga, archery or RTV riding, your schedule can be as full or loose as you want it to be.  We opted to do a 2-hour RTV tour around the property and it was the absolute highlight!  Our guide Noelle who has worked on the property for years and knows the terrain like the back of her hand was incredible.  We did nearly 30 miles total on the vehicles. 

Another experience not to miss is the nightly sessions in the Observatory.  While we did experience a bit of stormy cloud coverage, we still saw Jupiter and it’s moons – a real wow moment.  The property has a Celestron CGE Pro 1400 and CPC 800 telescopes available for guests to enjoy with extraordinary glimpses of the heavens and our solar system year round.  

The Food 🥘

The activities we experienced on-property built up an appetite every day. Primland delivered amazing dining experiences that elevated our stay even more. Elements offered romantic fine dining with a southern flair, an incredible wine list and first class service. At the more down-home end of the spectrum is Stables Saloon. Family-style southern BBQ and authentic live bluegrass and country music performances, all in an honest-to-goodness barn. And the 19th Hole bar and grill featured new styles of pub food, like pork belly BLT’s and moonshine cocktails. 

Lauren’s Key Takeaways:

• While the land at Primland was originally purchased for logging purposes back in the early 1970’s by the Primat family, you won’t find too many remnants of that business here now.  In fact, much of the Lodge and surrounding buildings are rooted in sustainable building and design practices.  Ask any of the proud team members about it while you’re there. The history and evolution of the property is fascinating.
• The live music at Stables Saloon is NOT to be missed!  An absolute highlight for the both of us.
• Big Hint for my clients – book this property now!  Not only do I see this location taking off in terms of interest (which it will) but now is the time to experience it with an offer to add a 3rd night free through early March 2022.  Valentine’s Day in the Blueridge?  Sounds like a dream. This is the ideal Virginia weekend getaway location.