Capon Springs, WV
Capon Springs, WV : Stepping Back in Time
Capon Springs and Farms is a really interesting place. It’s an old hotel resort – built in the 1890s – and to be honest, I don’t think a lot of the place has changed much since then then. I guess that’s the appeal. Take a break, step back in time and enjoy nature and the simple things.
Here’s something interesting – I talked with a couple of local folks who told me that this resort was “invitation-only” when they were growing up. You couldn’t just show up and ask for a room, you had to be invited by a guest. They told me that a lot of the community didn’t know a thing about this place – including its existence!
What is Capon Springs and Farms WV?
This is an all-inclusive, old-style resort. It’s great for kids and families. There is a main hotel, some nearby cabins or cottages, some meeting areas, and a bath house/spa. There is a golf course and a pool. There is a pond for fishing. It’s called Capon Springs and Farms, but I’m not sure where the farm is. It is located in rural West Virginia not too far from Winchester, Northern Virginia and Washington DC.
What are the Rooms Like?
The rooms are modest. When you think of “resort,” you might think of more luxurious accommodations – don’t expect luxury. The rooms are pretty basic. Bed(s), closet or wardrobe, maybe a chair or table. That’s about it. There is no phone – and probably no cell phone service. There is no TV. There is no internet. There is no radio. Your room might have a private bathroom or you may share a bathroom. Your room will look and feel pretty old – that’s because the rooms are pretty old. If you’re in your room, you’re going to have to entertain yourself, and there are not a lot of other options. Maybe bring a good book.
What Can you do at Capon Springs WV?
OK, what is there to do at this place? I guess the appeal of this resort for most of their guests would be taking a break and maybe using the Hygeia Bath House and Spa or the Golf Course. Or maybe the fresh water, spring-fed pool. I don’t think the pool has any chlorine in it. It’s not a big pool, and there are a couple of tiny kiddie pools beside it. You can play shuffleboard and ping pong. I think you could play tennis or pickleball. There is a game room for playing board games. There is a pond nearby for fishing. I was told that if you catch a nice fish, the kitchen will fry it for you. Neither the Spa nor the Golf interest me, but I do like the very nice 6 hiking trails. (In addition to the trail guide is also a trail map.) I also like the library. I read several books during my last stay. I guess you could ride bikes here, but I didn’t see anyone riding during my stay.
I think people come here to just unplug and unwind – sort of off the grid. People get together with family or friends and just hang out. I think the site would be excellent for a church retreat or a 4-H camp maybe. It would be great for a family reunion. Something where you have some other main focus and you’re not depending on the resort to be your main source of entertainment. Some families have probably been coming here for generations and there must be some nostalgia in coming back to a place that never changes. I suspect that people in the 1890s did about the same thing here that they do today. The West Virginia side of the public road leading up to it sort of ends at the resort. Not quite – it continues on to the top of the mountain and then it turns to dirt for a while as it goes into Virginia. But you sure have the feeling that you are in some pretty remote area.
The Food
The food was usually very good. It was simple good country meals – like fried chicken and green beans. It’s not fancy food. It is served buffet-style. You line up with 100 other people at the same time and go through the line to get what you want. Also – it is very casual attire. Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. Whatever you wear walking the trails is perfectly fine in the dining room. (I mean clean any mud off your shoes first.) You eat at the same assigned table during your stay. You will not eat with strangers but only with the people from your group. You can go back for more if you like. The servers are wonderful and friendly. You can wait and tip all of your servers/cleaners on your bill when you check out.
The Cost
This place is not cheap by our local standards. Let’s see, for an October 2024 weekend stay in a cottage with my wife, the charge was $500/night plus $58 tax. For a room in the main building with a private bath it was $428/night. So figure about $1,000+ for a weekend stay for two with a private bath. That does include all of your meals though, so you have to consider that. I think it was about $250/person/day.
My Positives and Negatives of Capon Springs WV
POSITIVES:
- Quiet. You are pretty much forced to unplug and relax. Because there is little or no cell service and no TVs or internet in your rooms, you have to party like it’s 1899.
- Outdoor Activities
- Very comfortable meal setting
- The local staff are super-friendly and helpful. They were very accommodating to my elderly parents. On our most recent stay, the power went out and was off for hours. (I think it had something to do with the town and not the resort in particular.) My folks were cold and not feeling well, so I took them home a day early. I explained the situation to the hotel when I returned, and we were not charged for their final night.
NEGATIVES:
- If you’re looking for luxurious accommodations, this is not your place. If you need a simple TV and internet for your favorite streaming service or even to check your email, this is not your place. If you want nightlife, look elsewhere. Know what you’re getting into before you come. This is not a great place if you’re feeling entitled, so spend your time somewhere else.
- If you’re not a good walker, this place might not be for you. You can rent a golf cart to get around, but the resort is spread out and has a lot of stairs. There is an elevator in the main hotel, but if the power goes out, you will have to navigate stairs.
Capon Springs WV Information
When you check in, the folks will give you a map. On the backside of the map is the following information about the resort:
Map
FAQ
(this is also listed below)
Parking
Once you’ve unloaded your vehicle at your cottage, please park in any of the designated lots located around the grounds. Please keep the front and rear of the Main Building open for guests loading and unloading.
Meals
We serve family-style and buffet-style meals (with a set weekly menu) where the only limit is your appetite. If you have any special dietary needs, please let us know at the time of your reservation or at the Front Desk when you arrive. We will show you to your party’s table at your first meal and usually that will be your table for the rest of your stay. Dress is politely casual: please no neckties, bare feet, or bathing suits in the dining room.
- Breakfast is served from 8:30 am to 9:30 am. (For early risers, coffee is served at the Main Building beginning at 6:00 am. Flag raising on the Main porch at 8:25 am)
- Lunch is served from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. (Sunday lunch is served from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. No lunch is served on most Sundays in July and August.)
- Dinner is served from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Monday dinner, Wednesday lunch and Thursday dinner are served up on the Hill at Sunset Lodge on the golf course. (Sometimes we add other meals on the Hill as well.) Come early and enjoy the view!
Checkout
Checkout time is 12:30 pm Monday – Saturday. Sunday checkout is 10:00 am. (Later checkouts are often available.) While we ask that you have your room completely vacated by these times, you are welcome to enjoy Capon’s recreational facilities into the afternoon. Don’t forget to chek your room for forgotten articles. Unclaimed items will be held for one year. Recommendations for gratuities for both wait staff and room workers are posted near the Front Desk in the Main Building or you can inquire at checkout.
Special Events
Check the board on your way into the Dining Room and the Activity Sign-up wall across from the Front Desk in the Main Building for daily announcements, special events and activities.
Golf
The regular 9-hole course and par-3 course are located on the Hill behind the Main Building and are open during daylight hours. If you desire, you may park in the lot alongside the gold cart barns. You may store your clubs in a locker during your stay. Stop by the Front Desk to inquire about golf lessons, fling golf and/or borrowing clubs. Motorized carts are available for rental to any golfer who has a driver’s license – just put your blubs on an empty cart. Use is restricted to designated paths and two riders only. Please use the carts only when playing golf. Guests who need a golf cart for mobility reasons can reserve one at the time of reservation or through the Front Desk when you arrive.
Swimming
Our three pools, including two kiddie pools, are open during daylight hours only. Children under 13 are not permitted in the pool area without an adult. Please shower in the pool locker rooms before entering the pool. Towels are provided in a storage locker on the sundeck.
Recreation
Equipment for most sports are located in green wooden boxes at the site of the sport. There are three tennis courts, which during the busy months require advance sign-up on the activities wall in the Main Building. Fishing gear (stick poles and bread for bait) and jumbo lawn games can be checked out at the Front Desk in the Main Building. Indoor games, puzzles and cards are available in the Game/Card Room in the Main Building. Our library is located on the third floor of the Main Building.
Hygeia Bath House and Spa
Appointments for heated Capon Water soaks and relaxing bodywork can be made at the Spa, which is located behind the upper parking lot. Advanced reservations are recommended. Email [email protected]
Night Time Emergencies
The Front Desk in the Main Building is staffed from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm. Detailed instructions for reaching the night security worker and/or calling local emergency services are located at the Front Desk when the office is closed.
No Smoking Policy
In keeping with Capon’s family-friendly and healthy atmosphere, smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas, as well as on all porches. If you do choose to smoke elsewhere, we ask that you be especially considerate of others. Please dispose of all butts in the proper containers.
Alcoholic Beverages
Capon is a great place to gather with friends and socialize. While we do not provide alcoholic beverages in our dining room nor allow them in public places, you are welcome to enjoy them in the privacy of your own room or porch.
Supplies
Soft drinks, juice, snacks, batteries, insect repellent, sporting goods and toiletries are sold in the store in the Main House. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult when making purchases in the store. You can pay with cash or have your purchases put on your room bill. Ice and ice buckets are also located in the store.
Laundry
Washers, dryers and laundry soap are available free of charge in our Guest Laundry room, which is located two doors down from the front steps of the Main Building.
Peace and Quiet
So all may have a restful night’s sleep, we ask that you honor our curfew by returning to your room and being quiet by 11:00 pm. We also ask that you please use earphones with all radios and musical equipment.
Connecting with the “Outside World”
There are no phones, TVs or internet access in guest rooms. A public phone is located in the Main Building. TVs are located in Room 1 in the Meeting House. Internet access is available in the Main House (first floor) and Meeting House free of charge. (Room 2 in the Meeting House has wireless and wired access.) Cell phone reception is limited, depending on carrier. Please be considerate of others: do not use cell phones in common areas such as the dining room and living rooms. Please turn off cell phones during “public” activities such as Bingo.
