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Point Clear - Part 2
Written by: Janet Pope
Photography by: Donald
A special spot for weary spirits... since 1847
We had plans to visit the spa, but because this place is so huge we had to ask directions at the main desk. The hotel has continued to build and add to its facilities, making it more of a resort complex able to handle conferences and vacationers.
The spa is only two years old and Susie Marquez, the director, proudly showed it off. Included in the facilities is a movement studio for pilates, yoga, belly dancing, a state-of-the-art fitness room, an indoor lap pool and, of course, treatment rooms. Don and I parted ways as we were led through our respective entrances. This is a full-service salon for massages, facials, skin treatments, and pedicures – whatever. The inside area is darkened in warm shades of amber and provides a quiet, private retreat atmosphere. The entry to this special area is through the "Hall of Whispers," which is cast in a gold tone with low lighting to set a mood for the changing area.
I was given an elegant robe, silky on the outside, but plush on the inside. Ms. Marquez wanted an elegant Southern, yet, old-world feel to the spa and her efforts showed in the details. She described the robes as having a comfort food feel to them "like macaroni and cheese." Wow, that’s the first time I heard robes described in food terms but I understood her point. After changing, I entered the "Quiet Room" and there was indeed not only a hush of tranquility, but peacefulness to the surroundings. This is a rather large tiled room, dotted with sling back chairs all facing a hot tub lit only by the dimmest of lights. There were ladies all in various stages of relaxation, either before after their treatment.
I settled into my chair to enjoy the new-age music that was playing in the background and I prayed that my treatment would not begin for a while, giving me time to take in the calm. Soon a lady in black dress clothes brought me a glass of white wine. Within this atmosphere, I thought I would sip a bit. I felt like I was being lulled into a catatonic state and I hadn’t even had my message yet, but the best was yet to come, and I was soon called for my massage. The massage lived up to the surroundings and by the time the therapist was done, every sore muscle was so relaxed I actually felt weak on my feet.
I took a quick dip into both the whirlpool bath and the indoor pool and then I searched out Don who described his experience as "good." He’s obviously not a man of many descriptive words. He came, he saw, he underwent massage therapy – period. For Don it was good, for me it was an out-of-body experience. Once again, Venus clashes with Mars.
Anyway, we headed off to a luncheon date with Bruce Skidmore, the Grand Hotel’s Director of Sales. We chatted about the hotel, Alabama as a destination, and Dr. Bronner whom he respectfully described as "a wizard of Oz behind the curtain."
The Grand Hotel, it seems has an 88% "intent to return" among the guests. Besides all of its amenities, there is a high sense of security on the grounds and a knowledgeable staff willing to extend themselves. This full-service hotel is, indeed, large as it sits on 550 acres with six buildings, a grand ballroom, meeting spaces, and a 36-holes golf course.
Nearby, was the Confederate Rest Cemetery where the 300 soldiers are buried, laid out in neat military rows. After getting a wonderful feel for the scope of the place, Don and I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the pool before dinner.
Dinner was what we would have expected from a resort of this caliber. It was fine dining and fine service with"old world" flair. Our stay at the Grand was too short, but certainly memorable. Like the other 88% of the guests surveyed, we too would love to return.
Part 1- Birmingham
Part 2- Birmingham
Part 3 - Montgomery
Part 4 - Point Clear
Part 5 - Point Clear
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