Primland Review

Luxury hunting lodge that happens to have a golf course for the off season

Service was excellent. Perfect for a getaway. Recommend the chef's table and all of the food is incredible.

I have stayed in the Lodge once and the room was very clean and well appointed. The property itself is gorgeous and the views are fantastic. The restaurant food is delicious yet pricey, but worth it to me. The restaurant staff is friendly and professional, but some of the other staff seem to need training on how to treat guests at a place like this.

This year we stayed in the Quail mountain house and it is vastly different from the Lodge. The Quail did not have interior photos on the Primland website (which should have been our first clue not to book it) but we took a chance based on my past experience at the Lodge. While the mountain houses are clearly described as rustic and not luxury accommodations, we had a general expectation of the condition and cleanliness of the house based on Primland's reputation. Boy, were we disappointed. The kitchen, bathrooms and furniture all need a serious make over. The bathrooms appear to be from the 1980s as do the kitchen countertops and floor. The furniture is worn out and needs to be replaced. The toilet in the upstairs bathroom leaks onto the floor.
But our biggest shock was how dirty the house was when we arrived. The kitchen and bathrooms did not appear to have been cleaned and the floors had visible dust bunnies all around. The bathrooms just had that general feeling of "grossness". There was food in the kitchen sink drains. On the upside, the beds did have clean sheets and the bathroom towels were clean and high quality.
I took my concerns to the management staff and they handled my feedback with politeness and professionalism. However, both managers I spoke with seemed to be aware of the fact that the Quail needs to be updated so I don't understand why Primland would want to tarnish their reputation by offering this house in its current condition. As my sister said, "decide if you want to be a luxury resort or Motel 6" but you can't do both and maintain a good reputation. I saw a previous review of the Quail by a TripAdvisor reviewer and I can't believe what they said. I did not find any of it to be true.
The management did give us a financial concession on our stay but I still feel the need to post a review of our experience. Bottom line, if there are no interior photos of the accommodations you are considering, there is a reason.

April 2016,
My choices for stargazing at Primland. There were two astronomy tours, the early one hour Stargazing Tour and the later more expensive Universe Tour.
I arrived at The Lodge and was not prepared to discover a temple of status worshipping people; mandatory valet parking, door men there to open the door ect. . I just came for the stars.
The first 30 minutes we sat under a moving doomed roof and looked at camera generated pictures on one of two flat screen monitors. There was just a small slot in the roof For the telescope. You could not see the stars, it was a de facto' computer screen tour. The "Star Master" as he is called, never told us we are looking at an image captured by camera manipulated by computer program and displayed on large flat screen TV.
Then half of us went outside stood in line to look thru a small telescope at moon and Jupiter. The Star Master new a couple obvious constellations and said
"if you want me to identify anything let me know."
Then he did not know basic landmarks of the sky, like Cycle of Leo, Corvus or Head of Hydra.
There was a full moon so observation conditions were ordinary; there was no Milky Way, no satellites nor stars near the horizon.

Not the easiest place to get to, but first class resort.

Fantastic place! Primland is a beautiful, magical place. The golf course is pristine. The views are breath taking. There are amazing hiking trails right on the property. Great food, easy walking around the property. The bar at the lodge has everything you could want.
We stayed here a week during May 2020 Quarantine. Despite the restrictions we had an absolutely amazing time. The staff was wonderful. We will be back!

Every single detail of our stay was amazing! We went for my bachelorette party and the cabin, food, service and activity was impeccable! There are endless amounts of things to do from atvs, hiking, roasting s mores, spa, pool, etc. More

What an awesome place it is.. The dirt bike, the atmosphere, golf and everything

My husband and i came here for an anniversary trip and we re deeply disappointed. Yes, the landscape and view was gorgeous and the activities that they offered are amazing, but the cost of the treehouse for its actual value is extremely skewed. Our a/c unit barely worked, if at all, therefore leaving our nights (in July) to be rather uncomfortable. Not to mention to be woken by the sound of mice in our room, only to be confirmed the next day by their remnants and eating our snacks we had packed for a hike.
I am sure our stay would have been much more enjoyable had we stayed at the lodge, but still disappointed that we vastly overpaid considering the conditions that we received.

Our cottage was gorgeous with beautiful mountain views!

Class resort and the staff gives off the Virginia-North Carolina southern charm. The White or Homestead are great but PrimLand is the measure.

I would like to give this vacation spot a one to keep this gem hidden. However, the truth is that this place is incredible!!! Just 2 hours straight up 77N and you will enter a haven of natural beauty! At first glance, Accomodations are pricey. If going with a group, rent one of the cabins. Eat at the Stage Saloon family style restaurant but make your reservation. Schedule your shooting range circuit or guided atv ride through the thousands of acres. You may decide to take a hike on the many trails throughout the property. P.S., Don t tell anyone else!

This is about as close to heaven as you'll get before you get there for good -- and you can just about see heaven from the golf course or the observatory. Everything is first class -- rooms, food, golf, service, activities, horses, everything. Expect to pay ... but love it.

Having been fortunate to visit some amazing places, occasionally one will slide off the list. Not Primland. With it s stunning venue, attentive (but not too) staff, excellent dining and well-curated list of activities, Primland has staying power. When in this corner of the world, a visit is always in order.

Booked 3 nights to spend our honey moon. Left after 1 night and aborted our honey moon because the hygienic conditions were unacceptable.
When we first entered the cabin we noticed a very unpleasant moldy smell. The entire cabin was very badly maintained and poorly cleaned.
There were hairs, dust and spiders all over the cabin. But the worst was that the airconditioning was totally filthy and full of mold. During the first night we both got respiratory problems.
The following day we complained with the management. They promised to take care of the problem. Unfortunately after returning from a hike we encountered our cabin in the same filthy condition as we had left it.
To top it off we noticed that the room had mice in it as well.

Overall it appears that the resort has seen its best days. The entire facility is poorly maintained (general condition and features of the cabin, half of the lights on the outside areas at the lodge's main building are broken and need to be replaced, the furniture is old and nasty, neglected flower beds, ...)

Overall this is not acceptable, especially with those price tags!!!
Too bad, the pictures on their website really looked very appealing!
I guess they were taken a few years ago...

Excellent pheasant hunting. Marcus and his digs make hunting a treat!!!

Service is top notch, and the place is Gorgeous!!!!! The property, the lodge, the cottages, the golf course..... Everything. There is alot to do even if you aren't a golfer. Hiking, biking, clay shooting, spa and pool, observatory, or just relax and sit somewhere with a view (which is anywhere)

Location, amenities, activities and wonderful staff make Primland one of our most favorite places on Earth!

Went for the solar eclipse event. Had a great hot stone massage, great food, good wine, nice weather, and all in an absolutely gorgeous setting. Who could ask for more?

This place is awwwwwesome! Me and my wife will be returning yearly as a getaway vacation. The entire staff is awesome, each activity was great from archery to star-gazing. The lodge is pristine and the food is amazing. This is a place worth every penny for the scenery, seclusion, friendliness and cleanliness!

Primland is a special place for relaxation and to be one with nature

Spectacular resort. Golf is very very difficult but so many beautiful mountain views to enjoy.

We stayed in the Woodpecker cottage overlooking the golf course fairway; huge private room with couch, fireplace, giant bed, with windows on all sides. The bathtub in our room made the trip though. Massage at the Spa was on point! Staff were extremely attentive and friendly when we visited the lodge for meals. This resort is otherworldly gorgeous with great mountain views from all rooms. Was a great ending to our Carolinas trip.

Beautiful quiet retreat. Spa is fantastic. Food is excellent. Really well decorated. Very professional staff.

Primland is a beautiful resort with an excellent spa and some of the best food I have ever eaten.

The Pinnacle Suites are perfectly located with the best views imaginable for a five star hotel. Our suite had two balconies, motorized shades, beautiful furnishings, and windows galore looking out on seemingly endless mountains and forrest. From the bedroom it wasn't hard to imagine that we were alone up there because absolutely nothing spoiled the views.

I cannot say enough good things about Elements restaurant. Course after course the chef did amazing things with even the most simple ingredients like the farm egg with grits and basically every single side (the parsnips and sweet potatoes, in particular, I could eat for days). Everything was perfectly cooked and meticulously plated. The waiter was attentive and knowledgeable. The wine list contained so many of my favorites and wines I could only dream of tasting. The desserts were decadent and creative and the perfect ending to the meal. I wish Elements was closer to where I live because every single special event, celebration, and date night would be there.

There are some small issues with attention to detail, mostly with housekeeping and room service. I specifically requested particular pillows that weren't in the room. Breakfast both mornings came missing items that come standard. My husband and I ordered the same meal: the first morning mine was missing potatoes and his was missing a biscuit, the second morning both were missing biscuits. We got butter and jam for the biscuits, but no biscuits. It's possible a small thing, but when an egg, bacon, sausage, potato, biscuit breakfast costs $60, it should be right and have all of the components.

Another small thing is that the towels in the rooms are thin, sand papery, and not absorbent. The towels in the spa, however, are plush and soft and thick.

The small annoyances are easy to overlook when the majority of the staff go above and beyond. The manager on duty personally drove us to our suite on a cold, windy night. My masseuse in the spa made me a big bag of water when I mentioned that I wish I had brought a case because my husband and I drink so much of it. The waiter shared stories of his 6 month old when I mentioned that this is my first trip away from my baby. We had happy birthday custom chocolate waiting in the roon for my husband's birthday and they comped two rounds of drinks at dinner (the first round both nights). Those things overshadow the things that aren't quite perfect.

The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. The service was first class all the way. The view is gorgeous!

Beautiful and challenging golf course. Exceptional views. Very courteous staff.

I am obsessed with the variety of accomodations here. Choices range from luxurious to rustic from quaint to exclusive. The Fairway Cottages are well appointed. Cardinal East has the best view and the most spacious great room. The Pinnacle Cottages especially the Dan River suites are luxurious with spectacular views and large balconies. Stay in the Lodge for the convenience of being close to amenities while still not having to give up privacy or feeling over crowded. The Mountain Homes are rustic but a bit further out from the rest of the action. The Red Fox is amazing for a getaway with family including a separate playroom for kids. Play Frisbee Golf if you want an inexpensive activity guaranteed to be a workout. Ask for Michelle in the 19th Hole if you want first class service with a side of sassy charm.

Absolutely wonderful the service, staff and the food made for an amazing evening. Will definitely go again.

Absolutely breathtaking. Clean, Elegant as well as Quite. The Food is awesome just like Ruth's Chris!

Primland is for the luxury bound golfer. I don't mean that in a derogatory manner, I mean that from a perspective that if 1st class course and amenities are what you are looking for then you found it here. But you are gonna pay the cost to get those amenities. A round of golf here is on the pricey side but Primland echoes...you get what you pay for! Not everyone can afford a 12,000 acre estate with a manicured lawn, but you can lease this beauty for a 4 hour round of golf and feel like its all yours. I love the course layout in a links type venue. If you listen closely, I swear you can hear bagpipes in the Highland mountain air in the distance. It's worth playing a round here just for the amazing views and exhilarating mountain air. It's where you lose yourself in nature (or looking for your errant tee shots like me) but get a feeling of WOW inside as you trek from tee box to tee box. Play this course at least once in your life. I was eating in the 19th hole pub in the clubhouse after my round one afternoon and the owner was at a table talking with a gentleman who I overheard him say that he writes for one of the golf publications (not sure which one) but he told the owner that he has played golf all over the world and on the finest courses the world has and that the greens at Primland are the 2nd best greens he's ever played on and that Augusta National is the only course that beats his course. Now that is a statement I'll never forget but that was back in 2011 so I'm not sure if it still holds true today.

An activity filled mountain getaway. 5 star all the way. Service was excellent!

We stayed in Coopers Hawk Tree house. The scenery/view was absolutely gorgeous from the huge deck! Dinner was terrible. No flavor, not prepared well. This is a big deal as there aren't any other options. Staying in the tree house is definitely amazing. Staff were kind but awkward. The drive/surrounding area is beautiful. We did clay shooting and Marcus, our attendant, was great! The course followed a stream and was gorgeous.

Prime luxury resort where they make every effort to make you feel like an honored guest. Everyone who works there has one job, and that is to make you comfortable and happy. They are all well trained.

This is our favorite getaway. We love all the outdoor activities and the staff is fantastic

Very wonderful and relaxing place. I would highly recommend. The only thing I didn't like was the fact it wasn't a microwave, refrigerator or dishes in the rooms.

Amazing, beautiful resort. I am going to stay a secound Time. I go here by myself to recconnect spiritually. I feel 100% safe, staff is helpful and polite. Property is beautiful, lots of activities for families and individuals like myself. Spa is nice, little small but no complaints.

You can either stay in your room with an amazing view or go out and participate with activities or go to the restaurant.

Since I was by myself I purchased room service, AMAZING. Nothing but amazing! I will always stay in the cedar bluff king room GREAT view. Nothing but excellence. Clean, beautiful room.

Making this a yearly trip for myself! MUST GO RESORT!

Primland is absolutely beautiful. We checked in for a 4 day stay during the end of Oct beginning of November for our anniversary. We stayed in a Blue Ridge Suite. Overall our stay was disappointing.
We arrived early as we had Spa appointments and pool reservations. After our Spa treatments we went to the pool but it is very small and folks were already in the small space. Being uncomfortable we did not participate. Our room wasn't ready until 3:55. As our Spa appointments were over at 1:15 we had to sit around and wait until the room was open. We toured as much as we could and ate at the Pub for lunch. Extremely over priced for what you get.
By the time the room was ready we were bored stiff. Most excursions were already booked solid and other activities they advertise on their website had been canceled due to COVID.
The suite was extremely nice. It had a separate living area, mini fridge, sink, Keurig with coffee, half and half and sugar options. The bathroom was beautiful with a shower and separate soaking tub.
For dinner, we went to the Elements restaurant. It was nice but very stale. I get COVID has drastically reduced services but it was a ghost town. No decorations on the tables, no atmosphere and no energy whatsoever. Again, for the prices that are being charged, it was very disappointing. The food was good, probably one of the best filets we've ever had but the stoic ambiance made it awkward.
After dinner we returned to our room. Which wound up turning into a nightmare. It was so hot in our room, with no relief. We called the desk multiple times requesting a fan, to no avail. No one came to our room to check the heat or air. We turned the thermostat down to 65 but it would not cool. As our bedroom window was broken we could not open to get any fresh air. We had to move to the living room and open the balcony door to let air in. A storm blew through and brought 30 mph+ winds. While the balcony door was open the howling of the winds prevented us from sleeping. Very disappointing for the price you pay.
The extras at the hotel were diminished due to COVID. No theater, no room cleaning, limited availability on excursions, hot tub drained, sauna and steam room, out of order, etc. It is every bit of 15 minutes to the resort lobby from the front gate. To drive into town is a good 20 to 25 minutes and even then it's a ghost town. No other restaurants in the area so you are forced to drive a while or eat the over priced food at the resort.
After our terrible night in our room we checked out. We couldn't see staying another 3 nights and paying $$$$$ for dinner each night in a non-energetic atmosphere. In addition, to the excursions being booked solid we weren't going to continue to sit in a room that was extremely hot. No refunds what so ever. We were charged full price even though we were unhappy, didn't use the services for the next 3 days and didn't feel we were truly getting the experience that it's hyped to be.
Overall we were not impressed. As a matter of fact we were so disappointed. Our advice : the resort should consider lowering the cost, especially if they are not delivering top notch service and amenities that they advertise. If you are considering staying, take a fan and some extra snacks.
In addition be prepared for most excursions to be booked due to limited capacity. Have a back up plan if things to do, if you check out early they will not work with you, at all. Very disappointing. Won't ever go back.

We went to Primland on a spontaneous romantic getaway. The 7 mile drive in from the gate, at times along the very crest of the Blue Ridge, is magical. We loved how the property hasn't been developed--i.e. the only houses are the ones that were there when the property was acquired. If you love reclaimed wood used in a sophisticated non-rustic way, you'll love the timber framed porte cochere, and Primland must have the only Wormy Chestnut paneled elevator in the world. Do take advantage of the astronomy viewing--our guide was engaging, knowledgeable, and made sitting under blankets on a cold February night a highlight of our trip.

A truly beautiful facility in a stunning (east coast) mountain setting. All the outdoor activities you could want, including for children. Very strong hiking trails and golf courses. Excellent restaurant and good pubs for less fancy dining. Generally well trained hotel staff, excellent restaurant staff. Currently on our fourth visit.

Everyone was very nice and helpful. It's a little pricey but for a special occasion it's the place to go! I will return

Golf course is beautiful love it !! took a tour of the rooms they're very nice

Golf course is pristine. Elements restaurant is superb. Other food venues lacking in service and quality. Rooms very nice, but pricey.

Wow. Everything done right. Great place to visit, scenery excellent, food and service top notch, comfortable and friendly. Hard to match their combination of luxury, service, and genuine warmth.

Wow! If you want to get away to a rustic setting, but still be in the lap of luxury ... This is the place to be. Rented a cabin that overlooked ... Everything! Chef's table dining experience was phenomenal. Staff extremely friendly and accommodating.

Absolutely beautiful resort! Such amazing views and a lot to do while you are here. I tried their famous "pig candy" club at their 19th Hole restaurant and it had some of the best bacon I've ever tasted. All of the staff is friendly, attentive, and helpful. Definitely worth a visit!

Our favorite resort in Virginia. We've stayed here twice, the restaurants are amazing, the service is excellent, the property is gorgeous. Favorite Activity would be the ATV rides.

I tried to book a 7 night stay at the Primland. I would be traveling over 4 hours to reach the resort. They told me I would be forced to pay for a gala on New Years eve at 325 per person whether I attended or not. I am supposed to find another place to stay for one night. This is a not the behavior of a four star resort. Customer service is not something that they understand. Always check ahead if you make the mistake of booking here to make sure your stay will not be ruined by some mandatory event.

Undoubtedly the most pristine and challenging mountain golf course and facilities anyone could imagine. Would highly recommend one puts Primland on their bucket list of golf courses to play and visit. If you want to truly get away from it all, Primland is it!

Beautiful scenery. Great service. A true treat in the beautiful mountains of Meadows of Dan.

Quiet, relaxing, hiking, spa, golf. Just perfect in every way. The golf course is phenomenal. So many hiking trails to chose from. We went skeet shooting and had a blast. You can fish, horseback ride, kayak, yoga, atv, or play disc golf on a really interesting course. Treehouse accommodations are available. it is spectacular.

A brilliant resort. Go here if you want wonderful service, few people, and amazing vistas.

We stayed at the Redfox mountain home on day one as the treehouses were not available. This was very beautiful, secluded, and had everything to make the trip enjoyable, including lots of games.
The service at the resort is awesome.
The second day we got to stay at the tree house which was even better. We did not want to leave and were sad when the time came for us to come back to the real world!

The pinnacle room was amazing! A hidden gem up in the mountains. Everything was wonderful!

Amazing would be an understatement. Beautiful scenery, spectacular rooms and service.

Simply Amazing, Beautiful view and very nice service.

This is an amazing place, everything is top notch.
We hunted and the wives did the spa.
Only one suggestion, get rid of the golf course and make it part of the hunting lands.

Fantastic hotel and a beautiful area. We even loved the artwork in our room. We wish we could have stayed longer to do more of the activities, such as archery and off-road excursions. We'll definitely be back!

A Lovely Experience.
I absolutely adored staying at Primland. Talk about an elegant place for rest and relaxation.
The property is gorgeous.
Each member of the staff from those running shuttles, holding doors to those making arrangements for us, serving meals
or guiding around actives had a friendly and professional demeanor. I so much enjoyed their hospitality.
Recomendations-The Observatory, dinner and music Saturday night, and horse back riding.
A great brunch menu for Sunday.
And whatever you do doesn't miss out on getting into the indoor pool. That as well as the hot tub made our last night there one I will have good memories of being REALLY relaxed.
The only thing that would keep from visiting Primland yearly would be the cost. But, I will keep looking for reduced rates, combined deals, or other opportunities to get there again.
And I will recommend Primeland to any person or group looking for a resort.

Luxury and nature! What's not to love about this place?

Service was amazing, food was delicious, landscape was beautiful.

We absolutely loved every minute at Primland and especially in our treehouse! This is definitely a place we want to return to and spend a lot more time! The people, the food and the service were all incredible!

Magnificent views, great hospitality, and the venues for the activities available are breathtaking

Amazing stay and very intimate. Great secluded get away with alot of activities on site to get into. Love the ATV experience on property which was very well guided and covered. Food was awesome with a world class chef.

Primland was breathtaking! We stayed in the Woodpecker cottage. Very well appointed, high quality room and fabulous bathroom. Lots to do for the outdoorsy type, but also nice to just sit and read a book. Food and service at Elements was great, same with the Pub, although just a tad slow at the Pub.
The spa was beautiful, I had a massage which was very nice.
We stay at a lot of Four Seasons Resorts, and this was comprable. We would definitely go back.

Fantastic stay. The service was amazing, the staff was amazing, and the food was great. Would recommend anyone to go there if you can. The room was amazing, with a very comfortable bed, if not the best one I've slept in yet.

Beautiful location, great staff and wonderful food. We went for out fathers 70th birthday. Everyone is very kind and the grounds are gorgeous.

Rooms are beautiful and staff is nice. Surroundings and grounds are gorgeous.

Amazing place to stay. Best hotel/resort I've ever been to. Food and service there was top notch

Very nice, have rented a cottage room. Great view. Class room with fireplace, small terrace. Great equipment. Very clean. Unfortunately only a short stay here, next time we will stay longer to use the many activities.

The golf course is unbelievably beautiful. The course itself is a challenging yet fair test of golf. I advise that you drive up and look at the layout of every par 4 & par 5. Time flies while you are playing.
EVERY hole is a picture waiting to be taken. The views and vistas ar just gorgeous!!
The most beautiful course i have had the privelage of playing.
Worth every dollar to play. Entire course is bent grass. Do yourself a favor and book a tee time.

Great place with amazing staff, activities, and hunting. Will definitely be coming back

Only visited this time. Have eaten there and food was great.

Awesome resort! One of the top 5 in the USA. Five star dining, Spa, Golf, on-site observatory with star-gazing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA. Mountain biking, ATVs, skeet shooting, archery, pheasant hunting, hiking, kyaking, world class service. 12,000 acres away from civilization...