Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection

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"Located in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, Primland has telescopes too small to view the mini moon but offers special stargazing events and a variety of outdoor activities like hunting and fly fishing."

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"Primland Resort is a 12,000-acre property with an on-site observatory for nightly shows with a local astronomer." - Travel + Leisure Editors

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection

"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? This is not what I imagined Appalachia to look like. I flew into Greensboro, N.C., which, at 70 miles away from the resort, is technically a hair closer than the second closest airport—in Roanoke, Va.—and traveled through the most beautiful rolling green hills, horse country, and farmland to reach it. It was late summer, on the cusp of fall, and the approach to the 12,000-acre resort, a winding private road flanked by wild rhododendron bushes and trees just starting to turn golden, is stunning. There is no doubt that this setting in southern Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains is sporting territory—this was clear, even to a city slicker like me. What's the backstory? The land was acquired over several decade by the late French oil baron and billionaire Didier Primat. His heirs now own Primland as well as Domaine des Etangs, a restored 11th-century château turned 29-room luxe hotel in the Charente-Limousin region of France. While Primland's location in rural Virginia is worlds away, the resort does have a surprising European ethos. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? There are a few different options including cottages, rooms in the lodge, and freestanding treehouses. I stayed in a suite in one of the cottages (each has two suites and two guest rooms that can be occupied separately or taken over to sleep larger parties). My suite has a modern lodge vibe—lots of windows and natural light and neutral colors, but also a huge stone fireplace. I would definitely opt for one of the treehouses next time; they're beautifully constructed out of cedar and built amid the strong limbs of mature trees. You feel like you're in a bird's nest and the views from the private deck of the Blue Ridge Mountains are insane. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? The food at the main restaurant Elements is excellent and it's lovely to have a long, coursed dinner in the elegant dining room (guests do dress for dinner). The approach is refined and the attention to detail is high, but expect local ingredients and regional flair: roasted duck with bok choy and heirloom grits. There's also the Stables Saloon, which serves things like fried chicken, smoked brisket, and mac 'n cheese, and spotlights live bluegrass. The 19th Pub is more a beer and burger spot to hit after a round of golf. And the service? The service was great—relaxed, familial, warm, and not at all stuffy. I interacted with several young adults who grew up in the area and were familiar with the resort, and all of the activities available in this part of the country. What type of travelers will you find here? The resort is heavy on outdoor activities. You come here to do things like track and hunt wild game (deer, turkey, pheasant, quail), fly fish, shoot clays, throw tomahawks, horseback ride, ride RTVs ...and the guests are the people who like to do these things in a refined setting (more fox hunt or country club crowd than Schitt's Creek extras). This isn't a place to lounge around, although the spa is quite nice. People are active and the attire—a mix of micro-fleece and Polo shirts and khakis—reflects this. They're talking about golf, which colleges their kids are attending, what hike they want to take tomorrow. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? It is beyond rural. No other building or development for miles and located in the wonderfully named town that feels straight out of The Lord of the Rings: Meadows of Dan. Is there anything you'd change? Virginia is hot and steamy in the summer; a pool would be a nice addition. Any other hotel features worth noting? The hiking is spectacular and the property is stunning. This is Nature (with a capital N)—I met a black bear on my hike. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? Yes. It's a rarified window into a part of the country that doesn't get a lot of press." - Rebecca Misner

"Primland Resort “Heavenly” might be a common descriptor for a resort with Frette linens, American Indian–inspired spa treatments, and round-the-clock room service, but the experience at Primland is quite literally heavenly. The showpiece of this remarkable eco-resort is an on-site observatory, a giant silver, silo-like structure attached to the main lodge, with a powerful telescope whose images can be seen via closed-circuit TV in the guest rooms or on nightly guided star walks. The property’s altitude, at nearly 3,000 feet, makes it ideal for stargazing, especially if you are in one of the two-floor Pinnacle Suites overlooking the Dan River Gorge, or in an even more secluded tree house suite with views of the mountain valley from the balcony. Encompassing 12,000 acres, the property is so large that different driving directions are provided whether you are arriving for clay shooting, hiking, dinner, or an overnight stay. Meals at Elements restaurant showcases organic Blue Ridge ingredients with a French flair, served on fine china, while moonshine cocktails and a club sandwich with sugar-coated “pig candy” are on the menu at the 19th Pub. Primland is especially a dream destination for golfers and hunters in their respective seasons, but an extensive list of outdoor sports, family activities, and a large media library will please every guest no matter the weather."

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"It’s probably been a while since most city slickers have seen the stars (or the sun, for that matter), but Primland Resort is on the job. At this eco-conscious getaway, the altitude and sparsely populated mountain setting presents a cure-all for this ailment, in the form of stargazing. You can wish on whichever one you want—when you view the night sky from the resort’s Observatory Dome, expect to see millions. But it’s not just a place to study the heavenly bodies: it has a heavenly spa, too, where guests can luxuriate in the mosaic-tiled pool, then head to a meditation class or a soothing massage for that stubborn ache or pain. Though the resort has an assortment of rustic-refined suites, cottages, and houses, we suggest booking the Pinnacles Suite, a two-story abode with floor-to-ceiling windows, 400-thread count Frette sheets, and most importantly, a killer view of aforementioned galaxies." - CNT Editors