The Oglebay Resort (Wheeling, West Virginia) has a number of distinct features that will interest all members of the family. Whether there for a night or for an extended stay, visitors will be challenged to exhaust all of the attractions and experiences that the property offers.
The Spa
We were quite impressed with The West Spa at Wilson Lodge, which is able to provide a wide variety of different massages and other activities. We we’re treated to a set of hour-long massages and if we didn’t have our infant with us, would have been able to use the couples room for a tandem rub down. Other treatments, including massage using stones and bamboo sticks, the traditional Swedish massage, and a massage tailored for moms-to-be will go and make one’s stay over at Oglebay absolutely memorable. Rounding out the exhaustive list of treatments available at the West Spa are mud wraps, microdermabrasions, skin peels and nail treatments.
The Food
We also had a chance to try out the baked goods of Oglebay which combine delicate flavors with massive quantities. That meant that there were chocolate chip cookies along with peanut butter striped affairs along with countless other breads and pastries. The coffee selection that is available from the cafe is similarly strong, providing individuals an array of different expressions.
Room Service
We also had some solid room service during our stay at the resort. Our favorite had to be the pizza which had a delicate crust and flavorful toppings. We were a bit unsure of the size but rest assured that a pizza will suffice for somebody that is looking to have a filling dinner. Breakfast plates allow visitors a wide latitude in the breads, meats, and drinks that they receive via room service.
Glassworks Grill
For those that are more adventurous and wish to be treated to a memorable dinner the Glassworks Grill creates a bevy of different food options. The range of appetizers is substantial giving a family a number of distinct options to personalize their meal should they be at the resort for an extended length of time. The charcuterie plate ($14) offers a variety of different meats including bresaola, saucisson, prosciutto and soppressata, while the risotto fritters ($10) are light and airy.
The pepper-basil aioli was fantastic in providing further depth to the plate. The salads ($11-15) balanced greens with meats, nuts, and fruits well. The large amount of trout that is provided as an entree ($28) will ensure that a visitor can bring seconds back to their room, while the Grilled Delmonico ($28) is rich, decadent, and includes a squash blend that brightens the dish.
I had the trout, which was lightly breaded and fried to the optimum level giving a perfect amount of crunch with the tender white fish mouth feel. The amount of different craft beer options that are available from the Glassworks Grill will appease those want something a bit different than macrobreweries can provide. One will be amazed at the depth of Oglebay’s wine stores. Whether it be a Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, the amount of different wineries that have their efforts presented for sale at the Glassworks Grill is substantial. The resort also creates a wide variety of beer and liquor cocktails.
The room
The rooms at the Oglebay Resort are ornately decorated while the suites are perfect to allow for a individual or family to feel that they have enough in the way of space over the course of their trip. We enjoyed the showers, which had ample space to allow for a good scrub down rather than feeling claustrophobic. The interesting thing about the bathrooms in the suites at the resort was the presence of a garment heater which was perfect to refresh clothing after one goes for a dip in the pool at Oglebay.
The indoor pool was accommodating and well kept up while a fitness room was the perfect way to burn off some of the extra calories that one tends to gain when treated to the food and sweets of the resort. The gift shop had more than just the trinkets that one likely will see whenever they make it to a resort. Having toothbrushes, deodorant, and other amenities available for a non inflated price, this gift shop provides a valuable service. Before one’s trip end, one needs to walk around the premises of the Oglebay Resort to see the lush foliage, deer, and beautifully-maintained golf courses dotted throughout the grounds. The same dedication is present in places like Oglebay’s game room and business center, which are testaments to wood-working. These area elicit a refined sort of cabin feel in the resort.
The attractions
The Good Zoo is a great way to conclude an Oglebay trip. This zoo allows visitors to view a bevy of rare animals as well as get a good workout under their belts. Whether one starts with the indoor section, which showcases monkeys and snakes along with birds and a very detailed model railroad or the outside exhibits which are full of rare animals, the Good Zoo is a must-visit. For example I don’t believe I had ever seen a kangaroo or wallaby in person, nor was I too familiar with the serval cat that had recently been adopted by the zoo. Of course there is a more hands-on sort of feeling to this exhibit then in many zoos. Visitors of all ages will be able to get up nice and close to barnyard animals including llamas and donkeys. For those that want to have a more leisurely trip through the Good Zoo, the C.P. Huntington train travels through the whole of the attraction.
Golf
Oglebay has a major focus on golf; while we looked at more of the family aspect of the resort, there is no denying the allure of the links. The Spiedel golf club has two distinct courses, one laid out by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and a second, newer course created by Arnold Palmer. For those that become peckish after their time on the fairways, the Spiedel Grill is located around the 18th hole of the Jones course.
Concluding Thoughts
The numerous activities that an individual or family can get into means that everybody will be happy from check-in to check-out. The scenic location of Oglebay will immediately draw visitors in as they go up the mountain or sneak down the backroads of West Virginia. Other locations such as the Metropolitan Citi Grill and businesses in Triadelphia, West Virginia further increase the amount of things that one can do while in the area.
Individuals that wish to read through a complete list of Oglebay’s amenities can do so at the main Oglebay domain. Rooms can be booked directly from the website. Up-to-date news is available from the Oglebay Twitter or Facebook profiles.