Grandover Resort Opens in Greensboro

By Bill Hensley

Move over Pinehurst, Grove Park Inn and other fine resorts around the state. There's a new kid on the block that promises to be a tough competitor.

The Grandover Resort and Conference Center, 10 minutes south of Greensboro off 1-85 and 25 minutes from Piedmont Triad International Airport, opened in February to rave reviews for its elegance and luxurious amenities and has been operating at near capacity since its debut.

Located atop a knoll that overlooks 1,500 wooded, rolling acres, the 11-story, 247-room resort is the focal point of a attractive complex that has been created for 2,000 residents, a multi-use corporate center and retail shopping.

Grandover is being developed by the Koury Corp. of Greensboro and was the brainchild of the late Joe Koury, one of North Carolina's best-known citizens and business executives. Unfortunately, he died in March of 1998 and never saw his dream project completed.

The finished product is grandiose in every way and reeks of Old World charm. A dramatic 40-foot atrium lobby greets guests with paired staircases, twin six-foot high fireplaces and an eye-catching decor that is stately and proper. The overall design captures the flavor of a European castle through the use of wrought iron, textured woods and travetine stone.

The 151 rooms are spacious and luxuriously appointed with a wide variety of amenities, including dual line phones, voicemail and refrigerators.

Surrounding the tower are two golf courses, a spa for men and women, an 1,800-square foot fitness center, four tennis courts, two racquetball courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and five food and beverage outlets.

The grand ballroom will seat 1,000, and the resort features 45,000 square feet of meeting space. The main restaurant, just off the lobby, will accommodate 170.

“We believe Grandover will rank with the nation's finest resorts,” says Jerry Lotich, director of sales and marketing.

Ladd Furniture and the Atlantic Coast Conference executive office are the first two buildings in the corporate corridor, and nearly 100 private residences have been built.

The golf courses, known as East and West, were designed by Graham and Panks International, a firm consisting of Gary Panks and David Graham, a former U.S. Open and PGA Championship winner. Both are par 72 layouts that stretch to 7,100 yards for the East Course and 6,800 yards for the West Course. The East course has been ranked as the state's 24th best by this publication's golf panel. The courses are open to the public and are available for group and corporate outings.

Grandover features the Ken Venturi Golf Academy for half-day, full-day and three-day golf schools.

Brad Walker, a 24-year veteran of the hospitality industry, serves as general manager of the new resort. He formerly was general manger of Sheraton San Marcos Golf and Conference Center in Phoenix, Ariz. Jonathan York is director of golf.

For further information, including rates and packages, call 1-800-472-6301.

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL. This article first appeared in the June 1999 issue of North Carolina Magazine.

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