ALABAMA’S GRAND HOTEL ENTERS FINAL PHASE OF TRANSFORMATION
Opened in 1847, the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Pt. Clear, Alabama, is entering the final phase of its two year transformation. “From redesigning meeting spaces and guest rooms to enhancing the resort’s legendary service and culinary options, this historic legend will take Southern hospitality to a higher level,” said Scott Tripoli, general manager of the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa. The transformation is scheduled to be complete in May 2018.
“The Grand Hotel has played a major role in the region historically, socially and financially,” said Tripoli. “After much research and planning, the next chapter in the Grand’s history is nearly complete. Over the past year, buildings have been transformed one at a time to minimize guest disruption during the process,” he said. “In May 2018, the Grand Hotel will reach an even higher pinnacle of hospitality excellence when the resort joins the Autograph Collection of hotels.”
The Autograph Collection properties are high end and remarkably independent while still benefitting from Marriott’s expertise. These international hotels focus on great design, are located in preferred locations and are beacons of good taste.
A GRAND TRANSFORMATION
In 2018, the Grand Hotel will debut anew. Re-staking its status as a glorious gem on Mobile Bay, The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa will shine with reimagined rooms and reinvented dining experiences, freshly-cast meeting and event venues and thoughtfully curated amenities – all of it laced with the timeless essence that has made this place the Queen of Southern Resorts for generations.
On the Gulf Coast of Alabama, surrounded by beautiful Mobile Bay, lies a hidden jewel, rich with tradition, alive with activity and overflowing with generous hospitality. This is the famous Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa. Set on 550 acres of stunning natural beauty, The Grand returns, its stunning transformation complete, debuting as a modern sanctuary of golf, tennis, beach, pools and spa – an enchanted destination filled with gracious Southern charm. Here, as it has for over 170 years, the Grand Life beckons: with hospitality and warmth flowing through the resort in cheerful abundance; with pride in our Historic Hotels of America designation, and affiliation with the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail; with the fresh Gulf air around us and the pretty village of Fairhope beside us. This is the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa. Fresh and fascinatingly new. Where the Grand Life abounds – waiting to be shared with you.
TRANSFORMATION TIMELINE
In 2016 The Grand began a magnificent transformation designed to recast the entire resort as a sanctuary of modern Southern hospitality. From rooms refreshed in beautiful coastal hues, to a complete redesign of our dining experiences, to a rejuvenated spa and thoughtful makeover of our conference facilities, the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa debuts anew in 2018 in the Autograph collection, reclaiming its renown as the Queen of Southern Resorts.
December 4, 2017 – The Main Building will be closed until April 30, 2018. This includes the front desk, restaurants, lounge, gift shop, lobby and the historic rooms while the Main Building undergoes a massive transformation and restoration of its charm. A model room and renderings are available to preview. During this time, hotel check-in will be in the Spa Building and dining and nightly entertainment will be in the Jubilee Poolside Grill. The new restaurant concepts are detailed later in this document.
January 20, 2018 – The Grand Ballroom, Patio and Foyer will be out for transformation. This should be complete by early March 2018.
February 2018 – The Spa, Salon and Indoor Pool will reopen with an additional three treatment rooms, new salon and total transformation.
March 2, 2018 – The outdoor pool, hot tub and pool deck will reopen with the addition of a splash pad and cabanas.
May 1, 2018 – Transformation is scheduled to be complete and the resort reintroduced as the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, part of the Autograph Collection.
DINING & DRINKS
Eating well is unquestionably the grandest of the Southern arts
With three new signature restaurants and a reinvention of all our dining experiences, The Grand pays homage to this great art magnificently. Here, talented chefs curate inventive breakfast, lunch, break and dinner menus that spotlight honest farm-to-table fare – and the iconic cocktails that accompany these brilliant meals. Meaning The Grand is where culinary tradition meets new south innovation in a most memorable way.
SOUTHERN ROOTS – Modern Southern Cuisine with breathtaking views overlooking Mobile Bay. Southern Roots combines a picturesque ambiance and exceptional signature service. Chef-driven menus focus on high quality, locally sourced and estate grown farm-to-table fare to create a chic yet casual experience. Infused with flavor and fun, Southern Roots showcases signature quality, inviting a return. Pair your modern Southern Cuisine with one of our recommended premier wines or Grand Garden to glass cocktails from Southern Roots’ signature bar, 1847
1847 – Every great hotel has a great bar to steal away to, and 1847 is ours. Tucked in at the entrance of Southern Roots, and showcasing an upscale yet amiable personality, 1847 is home to the beverage arts, with Grand Garden to glass crafted cocktails, local libations and signature wines by the glass all getting in on the act. In a convivial space, with elegant bar seating and polished service, 1847 is just right pre- or post – the setting of choice for savoring house-made elixirs, quiet conversation or the easy company of new friends.
BAYSIDE GRILL – Bayside Grill’s casual, relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere and gorgeous, bay-front scenery makes it the perfect place to share lunch or dinner. Bayside Grill is full of life, lots of laughs and sunny, smiley faces. Enjoy mouth-watering local fare including shareable appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, salads, wood stone pizzas, flatbreads, pasta, fresh local seafood or a steak cooked to perfection. All with ingredients sourced from local farms and estate gardens. Complemented by ice cold, locally brewed craft beer, refreshing cocktails and wine. Dine inside or on the outdoor patio while the kids have fun playing on our activities lawn.
BUCKY’S LOUNGE – The signature lounge of the Grand Hotel, Bucky’s celebrates the iconic Bucky Miller, a time-honored associate of the Grand Hotel and legend in the hospitality industry. Known for his passion for service, Bucky’s channels its namesake’s boisterous welcome throughout an incomparable ambiance that mixes a lively lounge vibe with a dose of simpler times. With a piano bar beckoning inside, and fire pits to warm outside, guests pull up to some of the finest mixology in this part of the state, enhanced by an outstanding selection of rare whiskies, fine wines and an excellent Southern small plates menu. Embodying the history, heart and soul of the Grand Hotel, Bucky’s Lounge is an unforgettable gem of a bar. Honoring Bucky’s commandment to “love everyone,” the sunset bell rings 30 minutes prior to sundown, a nightly tradition to summon guests from around the resort to share the evening sunset with Bucky. Bucky’s is a non-smoking, adult environment.
THE GRAND HALL – Nestled amongst the majestic Live Oaks and beautiful Mobile Bay, we have created the perfect environment for outstanding culinary creations in a casual family atmosphere. Generations of families have long since enjoyed our exquisite breakfast buffets and award winning Sunday brunches in the Grand Hall. Combining old traditions with new, the Grand Hall will feature High Tea each afternoon. The daily event has a modern outlook that features savories to balance out the sweets and sparkling wines as a counterpoint to traditional teas, tempting a variety of palates. Contemporary interpretations of High Tea elements bring tea themes to the table. Stunningly set in the Grand Hall, with sparkling piano music to set the tone, High Tea at the Grand Hotel offers a striking and memorable presentation.
JUBILEE POOLSIDE GRILL – Dining al fresco is one of life’s best pleasures, served up in style at the Jubilee Poolside Grill. Offering something-for-everyone, the menu features fresh local ingredients and an extensive list of libations that are perfect for under the sun. Jubilee is casual, comfortable and convenient from a pool-side chaise. Featuring an open-air setting, with a rooftop to cool yet welcome the bay breeze, Jubilee welcomes families and friends.
LOCAL MARKET – Wake up to Grand Gourmet Coffee, roasted exclusively for The Grand Hotel, as well as a wonderful assortment of pastries, muffins, and the world’s best coffee cake at Local Market. Conveniently located just off the lobby, this all-day hot spot serves mornings up right – and early – with breakfast sandwiches and barista-inspired drinks, shifting to on-the-go specialties for lunch and late day, with wraps, salads, snacks and sweets to enjoy at our communal tables or at our popular outdoor seating area. Also on offer, macaroons, truffles, tortes, cakes and other delectable treats from our Grand Hotel pastry team.
LAKEWOOD CLUBHOUSE – In the rich tradition of golf, the Lakewood Clubhouse provides a spirited environment to celebrate a great round or gather with friends and family. From a relaxed overlook on the course, golfers and guests enjoy 19th hole favorites – from a traditional club sandwich to our daily pitch and putt special, accompanied by a superb selection of drafts, bottles and cocktails. With sports to be enjoyed on our flat screen televisions, scorecards to be tallied at our friendly bar, and stories to be told of the generations of Grand guests who have made the Lakewood Clubhouse part of their Grand history, this is a classic Grand Hotel experience.
GRAND FACTS
• 12 treatment rooms plus four styling, manicure, and pedicure stations in the salon.
