Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf and Spa

Since 8.0 is considered "excellent" that's what I'm going with! It's hard to find any fault with this fabulous hotel. Family of 4 (2 teen girls) really enjoyed the surroundings.

The pools are very nice with plenty of lounge chairs. In early June there was no need to stake your claim for one at 8 AM like some resorts we've been to. There is poolside drink service and a good poolside bar and grill. Little kids seemed to be enjoying the water slide though we didn't go on it. There is also an adults only pool that was almost empty. Families with kids seem to be the norm here. There is also a lot of beachfront surrounding the grounds. The sand is nice and clean but not the crystal white that you see a little further south on the actual gulf. Since this is on the bay you don't get the breezes that you get on the gulf either.

For those that like to stroll or ride bikes, the boardwalk is wonderful and scenic. You can walk along the bay and look at all the lovely residences on "scenic 98" and pick your favorite. Would that you could actually afford one! The bikes (off all sizes, including tandems and kids bikes) are free for 1 hour a day to guests. There are also kayaks for the same deal.

The grounds are lovely, even after the azaleas have stopped blooming. There are many pretty picture spots that you'll want to see - around the duck pond are numerous benches, urns and fountains that are perfect for family photos. We also took some on the rock outcroppings on the beach. I think we have the perfect holiday photo among them.

The restaurants are excellent. We found the casual dining one to be just about as good as the high end version. Our dinners at both were terrific. The service was better at the fine dining one (The Grand Dining Room) as we had 2-3 people tending to our needs. The lobster & asparagus bisque was superb and be sure to try the Bananas Foster at the Grand Dining Room. It was out of this world and the tableside preparation is fun to watch.

The full breakfast buffet is a great value at $18. The continental buffet is $14 so why not spend the extra $4?? The made to order omelette station was my favorite (be sure to ask for crab-mmm!) The meats were perfect as was the fruit and pastry selection. I was a bit disappointed in the cheese grits - not very cheesey. The girls visited the made to order waffle station daily and loved it. There is also a convenient coffee and pasty shop in the lobby, adjacent to the restaurants, which is great for a quick breakfast if you are heading off the property for the day.

Hubby played the Robert Trent Jones golf courses (both of them) and really enjoyed himself. He said the staff was friendly and the courses were beautiful. The girls and I did the spa when he was golfing and it was heavenly! We each got a pedicure and a massage and the attendants were outstanding. Ask for Angela in the salon - she did an expert job and fixed my messed up toe (I hit it against something when wet) as if I was doing her a favor! Be sure to make time for the quiet room. Your masseure will take you there post-massage, but even if you don't get a massage you are welcome to enjoy it. The quiet room is beautiful, dim and quiet with serene background music. The whirlpool is comfortable and enormous with an intricate mosaic wall flanking the back of it. There are also lounge chairs, which were great, and daybeds you can rest on. We didn't try those, but someone was sound asleep on one of them!

Be sure to explore downtown Fairhope. It is quaint and lovely. Panini Petes is as good as everyone claims it is. The morning beignets are fabulous! If you're looking to have dinner off property, try The Wash House in Point Clear. It's about a mile past The Grand Hotel when heading SE on Scenic 98. The food was great and they had an equally great wine list.

We would go back to The Grand Hotel in a heartbeat. I can't wait for our next visit!

This hotel was GRAND indeed! The location of the hotel was so relaxing. We booked an inside room, but were delighted to find that we were upgraded to a Jr. Suite that was right on the point. We were visiting during Memorial Day weekend, so we really felt blessed to be upgraded to such a wonderful room and view. Our suite had water views from every window and the layout of the rooms were perfect with a separate bedroom and sitting room. (featuring a loveseat/sleeper, which was very comfortable for our 13 yo. son.) The BR had a king size bed with a very comfy mattress, and a down comforter. It even featured a large closet , which is very rare in hotels these days. The bathroom was small, but had all the amenities we could want.

All the staff were so nice from the gatekeeper to the maids! It was much better than home with so many activities to enjoy. Our son thought the pool was wonderful until we explored the grounds and found so much more to do. We loved riding the catamarans. (Can you believe they were FREE for an hour each day?) We paid $20 to have one of the guides give us a sailing lesson and it was money well spent. You could also make use of the kayaks for an hour for free. They have croquet, horseshoes, ping pong tables, a putting green (eqpt. provided free), card games, and bikes (Free rental for one hour a day, then $10 an hour afterwards), and they'll even provide you with fishing gear and a free bucket of bait, too. Take your tennis and golf equipment to enjoy the courts or the greens. (they will rent equipment, too.)

Be sure to look at the daily recreational schedule that is delivered outside your door each morning. You can take a horticultural tour of the grounds, a tour of the chef's garden, a bike ride to the Civil War Cemetary, play UNO with other guests, and have an opportunity to parade around the grounds with the crew that fires the cannon each day at 4pm to commemorate war veterans. Although, you'll find it very hard to leave the comfort of the swings or your lounge chair on the beach.

Yes, it will be very difficult to leave the hotel grounds....but you won't want to miss visiting the lovely town of Fairhope, either.

When you get to Fairhope, stop by the visitor center for a brochure/map of the shops and businesses in Fairhope, pick up the local restaurant menus, and visit their clean restrooms. Sign the visitor book, and they will mark your hometown on their wall map. If you're visiting on Thursday, don't mis the downtown market!

Guy Fieri (host of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on the Food Network) recommends eating lunch at Panini Pete's in the French Quarter and so do we. The prices were good, the food was plentiful, and tasty, too. When they suggest cookies or beignets...go ahead and try them, you can always walk off the (very delicious) calories while you visit the wonderful shops of Fairhope.

Families with kids will love Papa's Pizza (can you believe we paid $14.99 for an extra large 16in. 3 topping pizza!) It's not a fancy place, but it was very interesting, quite clean, and the pizza was delicious!

Buck's Diner was a quiet and refreshing place for dinner. They offered a meat and 2 veggies plate that was good. We loved their fried green beans appetizer, too. It was a little more expensive for dinner, but my husband says that the macaroni and cheese made it all worthwhile. Their sign says open 'til...but when we called, they said they're usually "open 'til" 9 or 10pm.

As for the shops, we found it difficult to leave the comfort and convenience of the Page and Palette book store. You could find wonderful snacks in their cafe/coffee shop, as well. If you're here during the week, watch for their art classes.

This hotel was SO RELAXING that we didn't even need the spa. We really could have stayed longer. There was so much to do that we couldn't fit it all in to our 3 day stay. We we will definitely visit again very soon.

My husband and I checked in Monday, May 26 and checked out Tuesday, May 27 only for a day's retreat given by our children. We had heard so much about this hotel and I had looked on the web and really wanted to see for myself. We weren't disappointment. My husband is not one who is easily pursuaded. After getting there, the beauty of the resort was overwhelming.

When we pulled into the front entrance we were met with about 3-5 valet staff opening doors and welcoming us. However, the most memorable remark was is when I rushed out of my vehicle, one of the young men, said, "Don't rush, you are here to relax. We want you to enjoy a relaxing stay here." That really made me think. I am so used to rushing in doing everything and actually forgetting what I went there for.

That is what me and my husband did just for that day. We walked around and viewed the grounds in a relaxing atmosphere and went back to our room and did some more relaxing.

It is definitely a resort where we are planning "right now" to go back in a few months. Another good reason to go is the distance. If you are on the gulf coast, you don't have to wonder about where to spend a nice weekend retreat or get away.

My husband even said the next time we go, we will eat there. I will also take advantage of the spa.

I can hardly wait!

It's always a pleasure to stay at the Grand. So delighted to have her back after the storm and with the same quality and consideration for guests that have made staying at the Grand such a memorable experience for years. All amenities were excellent and the grounds were exquisitely maintained. Our family returns every year and we have never been disappointed.

I have been to this hotel/resort twice. Once, years ago, when I worked for Marriott (well before Katrina) and once, just a few weeks ago. I love the way they revamped and improved what was already a wonderful resort. I hope I do not have to wait as long to go back again.