Grandeur Estate Review in Greensburg PA
If you ever want to be fawned over – to feel like royalty – book one of the palatial rooms at the oh-so-romantic Grandeur Estate, a boutique hotel in Greensburg PA. Owners, Tony and Julia Taneja, are people-pleasers to the max. They just want to make guests happy, and that begins with a wave “hello” in the hotel’s parking area for overnight guests.
(Should you wish to venture in town, scroll down to see Things to Do and Where to Eat in Greensburg PA. See our Things to do in the Laurel Highlands post for other excursions nearby.)
Tony and Julia Taneja’s Desire to Make a Difference
The Taneja’s, who lived outside of Washington DC, came to this suburb of Pittsburgh on their nationwide search for a once beautiful, now distressed structure. Their goal? To renovate a former-glory building, turn it into a luxury hotel, and thus revitalize a formerly tony town that had fallen into decline when the country pivoted from an industrialized to “a trading nation.” In effect, to turn a once ritzy enclave into a destination once again.
In 2020, they found this brick edifice atop a hill in the heart of Greensburg, built by a coal mining magnate who made a fortune in what was once the “Coal Belt” of Western Pennsylvania.
With a million-dollar view of downtown Greensburg PA and its formidable courthouse dome; a lawn sweeping down to the main road; and grand colonnaded front door, this particular property called to the Tanejas. They stuck with this seemingly impossible project, even after realizing how much time, sweat, and expense was required to turn it into a destination boutique inn and event venue.
History of The Grandeur Estate
In 1905, Thomas Lynch, President of Frick Coal Company, built the first half of the mansion, installing a Tiffany Window in the stairway landing wall. (That Tiffany Window is now on exhibit at the Westmoreland Museum of Art in downtown Greensburg – a five-minute drive away).
In 1950, Old Republic Insurance Co. purchased the home, and built a brick addition to seamlessly match the original structure – at least on the exterior. The interior was a whole different story. Over 120 employees worked in cubicles, industrial carpeting covered hardwood floors, and plastic partitions stuck to woodworked walls.
By the late 20-teens, the insurance company had vacated the property, and, with no buyers for a couple of years, it was destined for the wrecking ball. The Tanejas saw promise in what many believed was not worth saving.
With developing a destination property in mind, they purchased the vacant building in October 2021 and spent several more years gut renovating it: creating a triumph of beauty and top-notch service.
The Tanejas refinished floors, woodwork, and walls; they imported Italian Tile for the bathrooms; and made sure that every finish was of premium quality. “It wasn’t just another commercial project,” Tony said. “It was our home as well.”
Now, the Grandeur Estate screams “exclusive” with its choice hardware (e.g. golden swan faucets in event room bathrooms) and hushed halls. The boutique hotel is so exclusive, in fact, Pittsburgh’s Bentley Luxury Car dealership included a profile of the Grandeur Estate in its glossy magazine.
But this posh property is actually open to anyone who seeks to splurge on an overnight stay or a life-cycle event. Ornate without being gaudy, the Grandeur Estate is heralded as a top getaway outside of Pittsburgh and even throughout the region, blending cool opulence with a warm heart.
A Grand Event And/Or Stay
Tony divides the compound into three parts: The Prominade (the front lawn), the Mansion, and the Carriage House.
The Mansion itself serves a double purpose: deluxe quarters on the top floors for overnight guests, and, on the ground floor, opulent event spaces for 2 to 110 guests.
All pomp and circumstance, each of these event rooms is named as if a Head of State will stride through the door at any moment.
You enter the Presidential Hall with its impressive carved ceilings. Off to the left is the Excellency Drawing Room, which can be rented for up to 8 people.
The extravagant Congressional Dining Room offers seating for up to 26 people – and can be adapted to a myriad of occasions – e.g. birthday parties, wedding and baby showers, and corporate board meetings for lucky execs.
More and more, the Grandeur Estate is a sought-after wedding venue (up to 110 guests), with couples and guests booking from Greensburg PA and around the world.
Guest Rooms at Grandeur Estate
Tony, yes the owner of this grand place, waits outside to fetch you and your luggage. “Our service is from car to car,” he says, congenially, with an openness rarely (if ever) found in a hotel proprietor.
There’s no front desk – Tony is at your service from minute one. If you need anything, he promises that he’s just a phone call away.
All 17 handsome suites and rooms are identified by name not number. (Tony feels numbers are too impersonal). Finery extends from each distinct bed covering, to gas fireplaces, and into the marble tile bathrooms.
Furnished in a style that might feel just right in a tasteful royal palace, decor is sophisticated and swanky without being kitschy or ostentatious. Gorgeous bathrooms feature large Italian tile showers in colors that complement each guest room’s color pallett.
Toiletries, for sensitive skin, are organic. A bouquet of fresh flowers (in my case, a couple of dozen roses) add a punch of bright color. I honestly felt like a Queen in the appropriately named Regency Room.
While most guest chambers are up one or two sets of stairs, one ADA Suite is available for people with disabilities on the main floor. Just FYI – there are no elevators in the building.
Breakfast at Grandeur Estate/ Lounge Privileges
Check-in is Tony’s thing. But breakfast is his wife, Julia’s, domain.
Guests are privy to an exclusive lounge, positioned within steps of the guest suites, where breakfast, starting with a cold buffet of granola, pastries, and cut fruit, is served every morning from 8-10.
Julia greets you with a warm smile and equally warm egg dish of your choice (paired with salad and toast).
Throughout the day, there’s always some fruit or baked treat to nibble on should your sweet tooth act up. A glass-door mini fridge is full to the brim with water bottles, Pellegrino, and soft drinks – yours for the taking at all hours.
If you want to watch TV, you’re welcome to come into the lounge any time. This is the only place to find a television – a Big Screen version – on site. (There are no TVs in the guest rooms).
If you’re a fan of raiding the fridge in the middle of the night – you’re in luck. Try the Lounge first and if nothing suits your fancy, step into the contemporary kitchen, also open to guests, where you’ll find yogurts, instant oatmeal and other foodstuffs for midnight snackers. Obviously, the Tanejas want you to feel right at home.
Add Ons at Grandeur Estate
1. Golfers will be happy to know that if you stay two nights, one person can play 9 holes on a nearby golf course, Mt. Odin Golf Course, with cart included, for free. (Book this Golf Package on the website).
2. Book an hour or so (for a very slight fee) in the “Wellness Lounge” where Tony has installed a couple of top of the line, side by side full-body massage chairs, and two infared saunas. (Robes and towels provided).
Things to do in Greensburg PA, Where to Eat
Greensburg PA, once a flourishing coal belt town, remains the Westmoreland County Seat, with a grandiose courthouse the size of a State Capitol building, and a striking train station.
VISIT: Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg
The small Westmoreland Museum of American Art, an open free to the public art museum, dedicated to American art from 1750 to the current day, is a revelation: mostly because it’s “female led.” Mary Marchand Wood founded the institution, the museum was designed by architect, Susie Rodriguez, and there have primarily been women Directors. The museum’s permanent collection includes works by important women artists, such as Cecilia Beaux, Lilly Martin Spencer, Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, Malvina Hoffman, and others. One of the most famous works was painted by Mary Cassatt, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1844.
Why is this world-class museum, named by Architectural Digest as the Best Designed Museum in Pennsylvania, located in a small (pop 35,000) western PA town? Art and culture lover, Mary Marchand Woods, bequeathed her entire estate in 1949 to establish the institution that would become The Westmoreland Museum of American Art ten years later. The grateful community has supported it ever since.
The last expansion, in 2015, added a beautiful Silver LEED glass-enclosed entrance and gallery. Exhibits on three floors include a Tiffany window (originally installed at the Grandeur Estate for first owner, Thomas Lynch in 1905), and other fine and decorative American art spanning four centuries.
One piece – a contemporary sculpture by Vanessa German called “Parade to Baptism,” stopped me cold. A bold statement of the Black Experience in America for sure. If I’d had more time, I would have lingered at The Westmoreland much longer. Check website for hours, free.
PHOTO OP: Greensburg Train Station
Built in 1912 in Jacobean Revival style, the trimmed red brick Greensburg PA Train Station still serves as an Amtrak stop. An architectural gem, it’s popular with architectural historians and photographers.
SHOP: The Shops At Pitt & Penn
The short but cool street attracts the PA version of a Brooklyn crowd. Puruse the Shops at Pitt and Penn – that extend from the corner of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania Streets.
EAT: J Corks
While most restaurants in Greensburg are more casual or pub-ish, J Corks is fine dining with quite the backstory. The building was the original meeting hall for the local Elks Club, whose members were called the Jolly Corks (the reason is lost to history – “but it wasn’t named for wine corks,” says current owner, Danielle Butcher).
The Elks Club bar counter, carved with the names of those Jolly Corks, was preserved when this restaurant was built, and now hangs on the wall in the back dining room. While the house specialty is the Filet Mignon, I wolfed down a toothsome, juicy burger, Korean BBQ Wings, and the totally amazing Truffle Parm Fries – all out of this world
EAT: Locals Also Love
Stonebridge Brewery, for both the fresh brews and food; Olivers Pour House for fantastic burgers, DVA Express and Sun Dog Coffee for your morning Joe, and Three Stone Merchant.
