Pence Springs Hospitality for Sale
NEW INTERIOR RENOVATIONS JUST COMPLETED IN DECEMBER 2025
A wonderful compound of various buildings located on approximately 138 Acres +/- in the beautiful mountains of Almost Heaven, Summers County, WV.
A piece of history
Nestled in the verdant hills of Summers County, West Virginia, the Pence Springs Hotel was once a grand symbol of luxury, health, and prosperity. From its beginnings as a resort for the wealthy elite to its decline and transformation, the hotel’s history is interwoven with the story of the famed mineral springs that put this remote part of West Virginia on the map.
The Springs and the Birth of a Resort
Pence Springs, located along the Greenbrier River, was known for its naturally occurring mineral springs, which were believed to have curative properties. Long before the resort era, Indigenous peoples and early settlers alike sought out these waters, attributing them to healing ailments ranging from digestive issues to rheumatism.
The area’s rise as a resort destination began in the late 19th century, during the golden age of mineral spas. Wealthy families from cities like Richmond, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., flocked to mineral springs resorts in the Appalachian region for relaxation and treatment. Entrepreneurs, seeing the economic potential, began investing in hotels and spas near these natural springs.
In the early 1900s, the Pence Springs Hotel was established as a luxurious retreat, designed to attract guests seeking both the serenity of the mountains and the reputed health benefits of mineral waters. The resort offered grand accommodations, including elegantly furnished rooms, wraparound porches, and beautifully manicured gardens.
HIGHLIGHTS
Former historic hotel resort, state reformatory, hotel resort again, and lately a girls’ school
25,000 SF three-story hotel, recently used as an education center, lodging, and headquarters
A fantastic compound in the beautiful, quiet mountains of Summers County, West Virginia
Tremendous investment opportunity with endless possibilities of creating income in multiple ways
Huge commercial kitchen.
Dining room
Offices
7400 SF fitness center and gymnasium
6000 SF two-story arts and educational building with a large, wonderful, covered porch
Wonderful multipurpose sunroom
The ballroom and dining hall combination – Brand new 2025 renovation with new ceilings and beautiful golden oak hardwood floors.
Incredible historic lobby with fireplace – Brand new 2025 renovation with new trayed ceilings and beautiful oak hardwood floors.
Beautiful, covered porches and decks
Lovely oak hardwood floors and woodwork in much of the building
Solid hardwood cherry flooring in the office complex wing
The first and second floors have been remodeled with conference and meeting space, offices, and 20 rooms with shared restrooms
The third floor has the same footprint as the first and second levels
Full basement with walkouts
Miles of roads and trails to explore within 138 acres
120 acres of forest with an emerging hardwood timber stand
Excellent hunting property
Mountain pond.
Most recently used as a school for girls
Excellent opportunity for a retreat center, boutique hotel, education center, and a multitude of other uses
60-room hotel, in its early days, was a Mecca for the elite travelers and gamblers
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places
Possible historic tax credits available
44,000 SF of finished buildings
The third floor has not been remodeled from its past use as the State of West Virginia Women’s Prison
World-class fishing and water recreation due to the three rivers that are nearby, the Greenbrier, Bluestone, and the Mighty New River
Bluestone Dam and Reservoir is a 15-minute drive
10-minute drive to golf at the Hinton Elks Club at Willowwood.
The newest National Park and Preserve in the US is in Hinton, the county seat of government
Outstanding 2900 SF, eight-stall horse stable with electric and private well.
Huge, covered riding center
13 mountain yurts for camping and outings
44-minute drive to America’s Resort, the famous Greenbrier Hotel and Sporting Club
30-minute drive to historic Lewisburg
¼ mile to the beautiful Greenbrier River
Public water
Public sewer
The Hinton/Alderson airport is within sight of the property.
The subject property adjoins the Pence Springs Flea Market
Easy walking distance to a convenience store and a gas station
About 2 hours to Charleston, WV
About 2 hours to Roanoke, VA
35-minute drive to Greenbrier Valley Airport at Lewisburg. Daily jet service
Recent improvements with the 2006 and 2025 remodels with modern vinyl windows, propane furnace, and hotel roof replaced about 5 years ago
No county-wide zoning in Summers County
EARLY HISTORY AND THE FIRST HOTEL
The area now known as Pence Springs was originally frequented by wildlife and Indigenous peoples, drawn to its mineral-rich waters. In 1872, Andrew S. Pence acquired the property and constructed a wooden hotel to accommodate visitors seeking the therapeutic benefits of the spring. The arrival of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway in the late 1870s, with a station conveniently located across the Greenbrier River, significantly boosted the influx of guests. Pence capitalized on this by bottling and selling the spring’s water, which garnered acclaim, notably receiving a silver medal at the 1904 St. Louis Exposition for its quality. ?PRESERVATION AND CURRENT USE
Constructed in 1918, with remodeling in 2006 and 2025. The Pence Springs Hotel was established as a luxurious retreat, designed to attract guests seeking both the serenity of the mountains and the purported health benefits of the mineral waters. The resort offered grand accommodations, including elegantly furnished rooms, wraparound porches, and beautifully manicured gardens.
HOTEL SNAPSHOT
25,000 SF three-story boarding school (historical hotel)
Full commercial kitchen
Dining/Banquet room – Brand new 2025 renovation with new ceilings and beautiful golden oak hardwood floors.
Amazing Grand Parlor – Brand new 2025 renovation with new trayed ceilings and beautiful hardwood oak floors.
The Sunroom
Multiple Offices
Perched on a knoll overlooking the beautiful Pence Springs Valley. The first and second floors have been remodeled to include meeting spaces, dining areas, a kitchen, and +/-20 rooms with shared bathrooms.
