Primed for Primland

Looking to take a breather from your family’s packed summer schedule? When you’re ready to log off, power down, and unplug, take a two and a half hour drive to southern Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and treat yourself to a weekend—or full week!—at Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection. While parents hit the links or enjoy a hot stone massage, kids can have an outdoor adventure at the Junior Mountaineers Kids Club. Here are 8 things to know about this summertime playground:  

Primland Resort is in Meadows of Dan, Virginia

Accommodations are family-friendly. The free-standing Fairway or Pinnacle Cottages have sweeping mountain views, and some are equipped with kitchenettes, stone fireplaces, and private decks. For a big group, check out one of the 11 Rustic Mountain Homes that can accommodate up to 22 people. Each one has a wraparound deck, and many have outdoor hot tubs and stone fireplaces.

Fairway Cottages are equipped with kitchenettes, stone fireplaces, and private decks.

Wild encounters are likely. The resort is home to a variety of wildlife, so don’t be surprised if you spot a black bear, bunny, or deer (don’t worry—they’re friendly as long as you keep a respectful distance). The onsite ponds are also full of trout, bass, and catfish for little anglers, and complimentary fly-tying class is offered on Fridays in the Outdoor Activity Center.

The property has three ponds stocked with trout, bass, and catfish

It’s like a posh summer camp. Junior Mountaineers Kids Club is available to kids between ages 6 and 12 and includes pond fishing, archery, and yard games. Campers can also meet Primland’s horses, feed them carrots, groom them, and take a ride in the corral. Half-day sessions are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., full-day is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both sessions include a mid-morning snack and lunch. Drop-off and pick-up are in the Main Lodge.

The Junior Mountaineers Kids Club is available Tuesday – Saturday through Labor Day 2024

Campers can meet Primland’s horses and take a ride in the corral

Sessions include archery and yard games

You’ll have a ball—literally. If you came for the golf, head to The Highland Course, which Golf Digest ranks as No. 28 on its list of America’s 100 greatest public golf courses. For more outdoor fun with the kiddos, play some bocce, croquet, and cornhole on the Grand Lawn. When they need a break from the sun, visit the game room and play foosball, Connect 4, or Pac-Man. 

The gameroom has foosball, Connect 4, and Pac-Man

You can keep cool in the pool. The indoor pool is open 24 hours. In the summer months, the sliding glass doors open to the patio, which has umbrellas and lounge chairs for parents to kick back with a magazine and a cocktail.

The pool is open 24 hours

Kids eat free all summer. Children 10 and under get complimentary meals from Primlands’ kids’ menus through September 15. Chefs can also accommodate allergies, food sensitivities, or finicky palates. If a family member has a birthday or a special occasion, let them know—they’ll make your meal extra special and put a candle on your dessert.

Stables Saloon serves platters of pork ribs, buttermilk fried chicken, blackened catfish, macaroni and cheese, and more

No one leaves hungry. The Lodge has two restaurants, one formal and one casual. Leatherflower is open for breakfast and dinner and serves farm-to-table fare. At 19th Pub, get sliders, wings, or burgers to refuel after golf. If you come between June and October, take the kiddos to Stables Saloon on the second floor of Primland’s former horse stables and feast on Southern food while you listen to live bluegrass music. After dinner, head to the North Terrace to enjoy complimentary fireside s’mores.

Children 10 and under eat free all summer

Enjoy fireside s’mores each night on the North Terrace

The stars are out of this world. Visit the Observatory Dome on the top floor of the silo on Friday and Saturday nights after the sun goes down. Little astronomers can get their stargazing on and search for animal constellations in the night sky.

Kids can marvel at the stars from Primland’s fully-equipped observatory