Conde Nast Traveler Honors Fairhope, AL Hotel in Its Latest Rankings

POINT CLEAR, AL--(Marketwired - Nov 6, 2013) - There is a reason the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa is known as "The Queen of Southern Resorts." Actually, there are a lot of reasons. And while the list may be too long to enumerate fully here, the last word in travel expertise, Condé Nast Traveler, recently identified two of them in its eagerly awaited 2013 Readers' Poll.

Pleasantly situated along Mobile Bay, these Gulf Coast accommodations integrate the natural setting into a range of amenities. A marina, for example, welcomes boats and yachts, while beaches beckon guests out for a refreshing swim. Lush foliage hugs the property's two golf courses, and the overall air of relaxation informs the atmosphere of the 20,000 square foot, European-style Grand Hotel Spa. All of these features set this property apart from other Alabama beach hotels, and the spa in particular earned special attention from Condé Nast.

Ranked at No. 28 among the top 100 U.S. spas, the Grand Hotel Spa moved up 72 places from last year's ranking at 100. What's more, it outranked every spa in Palm Beach and shares its position at No. 28 with the illustrious Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. "Not only were we higher than most of the Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons hotels in overall scores," said Bruce Smith, general manager at the Grand Hotel, Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa, "the Spa at the Grand was also considerably lower than most for spa treatment price. It is great to offer affordable, world-class services for our guests, whether they are from Baldwin County or from around the globe."

The resort itself received recognition as well for general excellence. Among the top 20 U.S. resorts in the South, the hotel took the No. 15 spot, which is two places ahead of the equally renowned Pinehurst Resort. Perhaps what distinguished the property from other hotels near the Gulf Coast was the range of family-friendly activities available, like fly-fishing, kayaking and tennis clinics. Or maybe it was the resort's AAA Four Diamond service and amenities that make it one of the most romantic Gulf Coast getaways around. Whatever the reasons, there's little doubt that they were both numerous and compelling to earn the property such notable recognition.

"The Grand staff does a remarkable job, and these honors are both rewarding and motivating," Smith said. "The Queen of Southern Resorts continues to thrive."

About the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa
At the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa, travelers are bound to be impressed. The hotel resides on 550 idyllic acres overlooking Mobile Bay to afford guests the best of privacy and luxury. The property's 371 guest rooms and 34 suites feature luxurious bedding, refreshing views and technological perks like high-speed Internet and LCD HD televisions. Out of doors, guests can practice their swings on the two challenging golf courses, which are part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Or they can embark on an outdoor adventure like fishing, sailing, biking or playing tennis on one of the 10 courts. A fitness center and expansive pool complex round out the recreational opportunities, while the AAA Four Diamond hotel's nationally recognized spa promotes relaxation amid 20,000 square feet of treatment rooms, lounges, steam rooms and pools. Seven restaurants, meanwhile, form a mouthwatering collection of dining options to ensure that getting away, whether for a family vacation, business meeting or romantic interlude, needn't involve leaving the property. As a member of Historic Hotels of America, the resort feels at once established and, thanks to its extensive amenities and 35,500 square feet of elegant event space, luxuriously current.