The Grand Hotel at Point Clear, Alabama
Earlier this year, my employer hosted an employee retreat at The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama. You can access the hotel from either the Pensacola airport or the Mobile airport, both of which are about an hour’s drive east or west. It is rare for a hotel or resort to get its own feature on this blog; I prefer to explore cities and usually don’t pay an excessive amount of attention to my accommodations. But The Grand Hotel has such a steeped, historical foundation that I found myself thinking it would be fun to share my experience.
The Grand Hotel, built in 1847, is over 170 years old. When it was originally built, guests had to arrive via a steamboat that docked at the marina. The room that I stayed in overlooked the marina.
I will only begrudgingly admit that I am from the American South, and as a Southerner, I can attest that this hotel has Southern hospitality on lockdown. When I first arrived, I was immediately charmed by the layout of the property–all of the buildings seemed to revolve around a lake framed by trees hanging thick with Spanish moss. On the southern end of the property, where a boardwalk leads out into an oceanfront view, dozens of palm trees dot the skyline. And most importantly, I counted almost seven cats wandering the property during my stay.
It’s important to make a note that this hotel is in the South, so much of its military history revolves around the Civil War. During the war, the hotel served as a hospital for Confederate soldiers. Since nearby Mobile was a Confederate stronghold during the Civil War, the hotel also saw its fair share of fighting. In an 1864 battle, Confederate soldiers torpedoed the Union army, led by Admiral Farragut, leading to the sinking of the Tecumseh. Admiral Farragut didn’t give up, however; he proceeded to fire on the hotel. Today, 300 soldiers are buried on the site of the hotel.
During World War II, the owner of the hotel turned it over to the Army Air Force to use as a Maritime Training School. I learned that during this time, those who lived at the property followed strict Navy rules, calling the floors “decks” and taking off their boots to walk across the hardwood.
To this day, the hotel continues to honor its military history. Each day at 3:30pm, a historical tour departs from the main lobby, weaving around the grounds before ending with a cannon fired into the bay at 4:00pm. I accidentally happened upon the end of this tour on my stroll along the grounds. The cannon fire was interesting to watch, but the processional itself felt a bit heavy-handed.
The military history of this hotel makes it a fascinating place to visit if you’re in the Pensacola or Mobile area, but stay a while for the amenities it offers. Even in early February, the grounds were beautiful. A paved walking path curves along the edge of the bay through the resort, giving guests 360-degree views of the ocean. Along the route, there are plenty of wooden swings, cabanas, and boardwalks to take a rest and enjoy the sunset.
The property also has its own private beach and swimming area, although bathers are cautioned to the presence of jellyfish in these waters.
And if you’re familiar with my blog, you know that I find it hard to relax, but the spa at The Grand Hotel really worked its magic on me. Allow me to introduce you to the Quiet Room, pictured below. As I mentioned, my room was located just one floor above the spa at the hotel, so on an early morning, I ventured downstairs for a manicure and some quiet time.
A picture of me dazzling my peers with my new manicure
On my last night at the hotel, my firm hosted a catered dinner on the outdoor patio. The chef treated us to loads of seafood, cajun pasta, and unbelievably big handmade milkshakes. Mine was “s’mores style,” and I ate the entire thing, even though my boss was watching!
I don’t seek out opportunities to relax and quiet my mind, but visiting The Grand Hotel gave me the perfect excuse to do just that. The resort is its own world, full of history and hospitality, surrounded by the warm, inviting waters of the Gulf of Mexico. If you’re taking a trip to Alabama or the Florida Panhandle this summer, I urge you to consider staying at this resort! And if you do, let me know how you like it in the comments below. Cheers!
