Underneath a famous West Virginia resort sits a bunker that was built to shelter members of Congress during the Cold War. For about three decades, it stayed a secret.
Today, hotel guests can take a tour of it.
That hidden bunker is only one surprise. Eleanor Roosevelt and Harry Truman once checked into a downtown hotel in a college town.
A woman named Lucy Clark opened a small mountain hotel in 1924, and it still welcomes travelers near a popular river trail.
Old hotels like these hold stories you won’t find at a highway chain. Some sit beside mineral springs or waterfalls.
Others fill restored Victorian homes, log cabins, or brick buildings that once served railroad travelers. Many have grand staircases, antique furniture, and dining rooms with long histories.
I like the idea of a hotel that feels like part of the trip. So which of these places would you book first?
1. The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
A secret bunker built for members of Congress hides beneath this resort, and you can actually tour it today. It stayed hidden for decades during the Cold War before a news report revealed it in 1992.
Visitors have come to these springs since 1778. The big white hotel you see now dates to 1913, and it has hosted many U.S. presidents over the years.
After World War II, designer Dorothy Draper redid the interiors with bold colors, giant floral patterns, and striped walls. The look is daring, and it photographs like a movie set.
You can spend your days on golf courses, in the spa, or strolling formal gardens. Plenty of guests simply wander the hallways to admire the decor and history displays.
Plan your bunker tour ahead, since times are scheduled. It’s one hotel stop that turns into a full history lesson.
Address: 101 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986
2. The Blennerhassett Hotel, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Back in 1889, Parkersburg was booming from oil and gas money, and local leaders wanted a fancy hotel to match. The Blennerhassett was the answer, and its red brick Victorian corner building still anchors Market Street.
The name comes from Harman Blennerhassett, a wealthy Irish settler whose island mansion sits in the nearby Ohio River. You can visit that island park in warmer months for a related history trip.
Inside the hotel, you’ll see a library, a garden patio, a restaurant, and suites with their own personalities. The rooms mix period-style furnishings with modern comforts.
Its downtown spot makes walking easy. Shops, museums, and riverfront paths are close enough that you might leave the car parked for the whole weekend.
Pick this one when you want a classic city hotel with real roots instead of a cookie-cutter chain room.
Address: 320 Market St, Parkersburg, WV 26101
3. Historic General Lewis Inn, Lewisburg, West Virginia
Two eras share one roof here. Part of the inn began as a home built in 1834, and another section was added in the late 1920s when it became a lodging spot.
With just 24 rooms and suites, the place feels personal. Each guest room is decorated on its own, and antique furniture fills both the rooms and the common spaces.
Hungry after a day out? The Jefferson Dining Room serves meals right on site, so dinner is only a short walk down the hall.
Lewisburg itself is a big part of the appeal. Its historic downtown is packed with independent shops, galleries, and restaurants, all close to the inn’s front lawn.
The Greenbrier Valley is also full of caverns, trails, and small towns to explore. A stay here works well as a home base for slow, curious road trips through the area.
Address: 301 E Washington St, Lewisburg, WV 24901
4. The Country Inn of Berkeley Springs, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
George Washington soaked in the warm springs of this town as a young man. Today, the Country Inn sits right beside Berkeley Springs State Park, where that mineral water still flows.
Its location is hard to top. You can walk from your room to the park’s historic bathhouses in just a few minutes.
The older part of the inn keeps a traditional country inn feel. A newer lodging section gives you more modern options if you like extra space or updated rooms.
An on-site restaurant means you don’t have to hunt for dinner. Spa treatments can also be arranged, which fits nicely with the town’s long history of wellness visits.
Berkeley Springs has small galleries, shops, and cafes lining its downtown streets. A relaxed weekend here might include a soak, a stroll, and an early night.
Address: 110 S Washington St, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
5. Hotel Morgan, Morgantown, West Virginia
Eleanor Roosevelt and President Harry Truman both stayed at Hotel Morgan. That’s quite a guest list for a hotel in a college town.
The building opened in 1925 and quickly became a gathering spot for visitors to Morgantown and West Virginia University. Its rooftop sign has been a downtown landmark ever since.
Look for the two-story ballroom, which recalls a time of formal dances and big celebrations. It’s still used for weddings and events today.
A restoration brought modern comforts to the rooms while keeping historic touches in the public spaces. You get the old character without giving up good showers and fast Wi-Fi.
Anvil + Ax, the on-site restaurant, makes it easy to grab a meal. It’s also handy for game weekends, when parents and fans fill the town and walking downtown beats fighting for parking.
Address: 127 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505
6. Tygart Hotel, Elkins, West Virginia
Ever heard of towns that disappeared inside the Monongahela National Forest? The Tygart Hotel shares their stories through displays inside the building.
Built in 1906, this six-story hotel once served travelers arriving in Elkins during the railroad and timber boom. After years of decline, a major restoration brought it back to life.
The renovation kept many original architectural details. Rooms are modern, and artwork throughout celebrates West Virginia history and landscapes.
Oxley House, the hotel’s restaurant, gives you a place to eat without leaving. That’s helpful after a long day of hiking or driving mountain roads.
Elkins is also home to the depot for scenic train excursions into the mountains. You can check in, ride the rails, and wander downtown shops in the same trip.
It’s a great pick for travelers who like learning something new while they unpack.
Address: 308 Davis Ave, Elkins, WV 26241
7. Old Clark Inn, Marlinton, West Virginia
Lucy Clark opened the Clark Hotel in 1924, and travelers have been sleeping under this roof for about a century since. The name changed a bit, but the purpose stayed the same.
With nine guest rooms, the Old Clark Inn is small by design. You won’t get a giant lobby, but you will get a personal, small-town stay.
Here’s the practical bonus. The Greenbrier River Trail is about one block away, and it stretches for roughly 78 miles along an old railroad line.
Cyclists love that kind of access, and so do hikers and motorcyclists touring Pocahontas County. Many use the inn as a base for exploring the region.
Nearby, you can visit Cass Scenic Railroad, Snowshoe Mountain, and the Green Bank Observatory. Coming back to a hundred-year-old inn after all that feels just right.
Address: 702 3rd Ave, Marlinton, WV 24954
8. Glen Ferris Inn, Glen Ferris, West Virginia
Kanawha Falls spills across the river right outside the windows of this roadside inn. You can watch the water without even leaving the property.
The building has gone by other names over the years, including Stockton’s Tavern and the Hawkins Hotel. Each name marks a different chapter of travelers passing through.
Its spot on Route 60 tells part of the story. Before interstates, this road was a key path across the mountains, and inns like this were important places to rest.
The riverside lawn is a relaxing place to sit and watch the falls. Anglers also come to the area for fishing below the falls.
Route 60 here is part of the Midland Trail, a scenic byway with small towns and overlooks. Driving it slowly, with an overnight stop by the falls, makes for a memorable road trip.
Address: 1 Old Hawkins Hotel Rd, Glen Ferris, WV 25090
9. The Historic Morris Harvey House Inn, Fayetteville, West Virginia
Turrets, fancy trim, and a wraparound porch make this 1902 Queen Anne house hard to miss in downtown Fayetteville. It was built for Morris Harvey, a businessman and benefactor.
Today, it welcomes overnight guests. Antique furniture and carefully decorated rooms help keep the early 1900s feel alive inside.
Look for Rosa’s Speakeasy, a small hidden-style lounge tucked into the house. It adds a playful twist to a stay in a grand old home.
The inn’s biggest perk might be its location. New River Gorge National Park is minutes away, with whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and miles of trails.
Don’t skip the New River Gorge Bridge, one of the longest single-span arch bridges in the world. After a day outdoors, settling into a historic bedroom feels like a reward.
Address: 201 W Maple Ave, Fayetteville, WV 25840
10. The Town’s Inn, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
John Brown’s famous 1859 raid happened just steps from this inn’s front door. Harpers Ferry’s lower town is packed with Civil War era history, and you’ll be sleeping right in the middle of it.
The Town’s Inn fills historic buildings along High Street. Each room is furnished on its own, and the layouts reflect the age of the old structures.
That means no two rooms feel quite the same. Expect older stairs and quirky floor plans rather than a standard hotel hallway.
Step outside and the national historical park surrounds you with museums and restored shops. The Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet just down the hill.
Thomas Jefferson called the view from Jefferson Rock worth a trip across the Atlantic. Since it’s an easy walk from the inn, you can check it out early before day visitors arrive.
Address: 175 High St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
11. Light Horse Inn, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Quiet streets are a nice trade-off when the next town over gets busy. The Light Horse Inn sits in Bolivar, just up the hill from the bustle of Harpers Ferry’s lower town.
This bed and breakfast has a classic country inn feel. Traditional furnishings, older architectural features, and shared guest spaces give it a homey personality.
Bolivar Heights played a role in the Civil War, too. You can walk the battlefield trails there before heading down to the national park.
Hikers will appreciate being close to the Appalachian Trail, which passes right through Harpers Ferry. The trail’s conservancy headquarters is in town as well.
Couples planning a history-focused weekend often look for a spot like this. It’s close enough for easy visits to museums and rivers, yet far enough to feel peaceful at night.
Address: 1084 W Washington St, Bolivar, WV 25425
12. Moore House Inn & Cabins, Marlinton, West Virginia
Log cabins with real history make this stay feel different from a downtown hotel. Moore House Inn & Cabins offers an old farmhouse plus restored cabins in the countryside outside Marlinton.
Some cabins keep architectural details from an earlier era. They still come with the comforts modern travelers expect.
Wooded hills surround the property, which fits the Pocahontas County setting. This area is sometimes called the birthplace of rivers, since several major rivers begin in its mountains.
You’ll be within driving distance of Watoga State Park, Seneca State Forest, and the Greenbrier River Trail. Fall color and winter skiing at Snowshoe also draw people to the region.
Choose this spot if you’d rather wake up in a cabin than look out at a parking lot. It’s Appalachian history you can actually sleep inside.
Address: 51 B And B Rd, Marlinton, WV 24954
13. Mendenhall 1884 Inn Bed and Breakfast, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
The year in the name tells you a lot. This Victorian home dates to 1884 and now serves as an adults-only bed and breakfast in Berkeley Springs.
Original details, like hardwood floors, remain throughout. Updated furnishings and individually designed rooms keep things comfortable.
Porches invite you to slow down with a book or a morning coffee. Since it’s adults only, the mood stays calm and quiet.
Berkeley Springs State Park and its historic mineral baths are within easy reach. Shops, galleries, and restaurants line the nearby downtown streets.
Cacapon Resort State Park sits a short drive south, with hiking, golf, and a lake. You could easily fill a weekend with outdoor time and still come back to a peaceful historic home.
For couples or solo travelers who like personal hospitality, it’s a lovely way to close out a West Virginia trip.
Address: 167 Wilkes St, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
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