Why you need a nearcation to Point Clear, Alabama

SO, WHAT’S A NEARCATION?

If you’ve thoroughly explored your own back yard then it may be time to venture out on a nearcation. A nearcation is just a vacation that’s a short drive from your home. Even though it’s a vacation that’s close to home, it accomplishes two of the things we all crave when to comes to our getaways. Nearcations give us something to look forward to, and they give us a change of scenery.

I recently hit the road from New Orleans and made the two and a half hour drive to Point Clear, Alabama. It’s an easy drive from New Orleans with some fun stops along the way. Visit the Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile or the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park before you cross the bay that will lead you to Point Clear.

THE GRAND HOTEL GOLF RESORT & SPA ARRIVAL

The Grand Hotel is known as “The Queen of Southern Resorts”, and has a history that dates back to 1847. Although thoroughly modern now, the property does a good job of mixing historical relevance with luxury amenities. When you arrive at the property you’ll be greeted by a gate attendant in a guard booth. We were asked for our last name, given documents on the property’s COVID protocols, and instructed to follow the signs to the main building for check in. As you enter the property you’ll see just how expansive it is, plus whimsical touches like the “Duck’s Crossing” signs. Once you get to the main building, you leave your car at the valet stand, go inside to check in where you’ll be given a map of the property and how to get to the building you’re actually staying in. We stayed in the Spa building and although at first we had trouble finding it, after taking a quick walk around the property it was very easy to find our way back.

DINING + AMENITIES

The Grand offers plenty of dining choices and downtown Fairhope, which is about 10 minutes away (the resort also offers a shuttle) also has a pretty eclectic food scene. We started with lunch at the Bayside Grill which offers fantastic views of the Gulf of Mexico, and is centrally located by lawn games like horseshoe and cornhole so you can entertain yourself while you wait. I opted for the shrimp tacos and Matt had the ahi tuna poke bowl. Both were delicious and the restaurant pricing, which was very reasonable for a high end hotel, makes it easy to see why the hotel is such a popular hangout with locals. Throughout the stay we also dined and enjoyed cocktails at Bucky’s Lounge and 1847. The resort gives you enough options for dining that you could stay for a weekend and never eat at the same restaurants twice.

Even though my visit was in December there will still kids playing on the beach, guests swimming in the outdoor and indoor heated pools, and lots of locals and guests taking advantage of the sunset views and fire pits at Bucky’s Lounge. The Grand is a great getaway for all types of travelers and the amenities are some of the best you’ll find between New Orleans and Atlanta. The two golf courses are only open to guests of the resort and members of the club, so make your reservation well in advance because it’s a very popular course for avid golfers. The spa offers a treatment for anything that ails you, and you can use the spa amenities 30 minutes before your treatment and an hour after your treatment. The property also does a great job of having scheduled activities throughout the day which are included in your resort fee. Learn about the history of the resort, watch as a cannon is fired to salute our nation’s military, or sit in on a cocktail demonstration and tasting. The property is laid out in a way that you can do as much (or as little) as you want while still having plenty of space.

WHY YOU NEED A NEARCATION IN POINT CLEAR

The sunset over the Gulf of Mexico is reason enough to make the trek to this resort. As a member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, The Grand has managed to utilize the best parts of partnering with a major hotel brand (you can earn Bonvoy points!), while retaining the level of service and hospitality that makes it so, well… grand! Anything you need is just a call away. Text for a golf cart to transport you anywhere on the property or to the golf course, have a Grand Host make you a reservation for their famous Sunday brunch, or just simply enjoy the view from your balcony while sipping a glass of wine in your rocking chair. The Grand feels like visiting a friend’s house; it’s comfortable, welcoming, and it will make you want to come back again and again.