I start to decompress during our meander down Virginia’s pastoral Blue Ridge Parkway to the Meadows of Dan exit. Soon we’re through Primland Resort’s gated north entrance, up the mountain and welcomed at The Lodge entrance.

We always look forward to revisiting Primland, a unique combination of sportsman’s club, golf retreat, honeymoon haven, luxury/eco-sensitive resort and family getaway. In this private 12,000-acre enclave, there’s something for everyone. Primland’s founder, the late Didier Primat, envisioned an eco-conscious retreat with world-class amenities, and his family continues to uphold his legacy.

Some guests choose to stay in one of the mountain homes in the woods, while others opt for fairway cottages on the 10th hole. Or a tree house. Or a new pinnacle cottage overlooking the gorge.

Or the lodge, the elegant 27-room centerpiece of the resort.

We touch down briefly in our lodge room, a lovely suite of cedar and stone with every possible amenity, then grab a quick burger in the 19^th Pub before our tee time. There are 50-plus activities at the resort, ranging from fishing, shooting and archery to orienteering and disc golf; exploring 90 miles of trails via bike, ATV or horse; and stargazing with the resident astronomer in the high-tech observatory.

The activity list even includes tree climbing (my specialty as a youngster), but these days my preference is golf on the spectacular Donald Steel-designed Highland Course. It’s ranked No. 1 in Virginia by Golf Digest, and almost every hole has views of valleys and mountain ranges to the east and west.

After golf I soak in the hot tub and swim a few laps in the indoor pool before putting myself in the hands of Brenda, a divinely expert massage therapist in the Native American-themed spa.

This leaves me so relaxed I’m not sure I can be good company at dinner, but every course prepared by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Ryan DeRieux is a conversation piece as well as a treat for the palate. We linger until we’re alerted the heavens are putting on a show in the observatory.

Primland is blissfully isolated, but the airports in Winston-Salem and Charlotte, N.C., lie just 58 and 120 miles away. The resort will pick you up for the scenic journey. Or you can opt for a road trip from home, as we did.

Primland Resort

2000 Busted Rock Road
Meadows of Dan, VA 24120
tel 866 960 7746