POINT CLEAR, AL–(Marketwire – July 23, 2010) –  The Queen of Southern Resorts just went global. The August issue of Travel + Leisure magazine named the World’s Best Awards and a familiar name in Alabama Gulf Coast lodging has landed on this prestigious list. For best resorts in the Continental U.S. and Canada, the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa landed in the Top 50 at #31. This is the Grand Hotel’s debut in the World’s Best list and the resort was also noted as a great value.

“The Grand Hotel has a long history of providing exceptional hospitality and this honor is a real testament to our associates, our guests and our owners — the Retirement Systems of Alabama,” said David Clark, general manager at the Grand Hotel. “When you find yourself on the list ahead of legendary resorts such as The Greenbrier, The Broadmoor and a number of Ritz-Carlton and Disney resorts, it says a great deal about what is happening in Point Clear.”

This is not the first national recognition for the Grand Hotel in 2010. In June, the Grand Hotel was named one of the top golf resorts in the Southeast and the leader in customer service for the region by Conde Nast Traveler. As premier travel publications, Travel + Leisure has a monthly circulation of more than 950,000 and Conde Nast Traveler distributes 820,000 magazines monthly. Trade publications Successful Meetings and Meetings South also recently honored the Grand Hotel with awards.

“From great golf to our top Marriott spa in the world to overall guest satisfaction, the Grand Hotel continues to maintain strong occupancy. We have recently added a new restaurant at the Lakewood Club at the Colony and our five pools have been particularly popular this hot summer,” said Clark. “Being named a World’s Best by Travel + Leisure motivates us even more to take exceptional care of our guests.”

Opened in 1847, the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa has 405 guest rooms, 37,000 square feet of meeting space and is located on Mobile Bay in Point Clear, AL. The resort and surrounding areas remain oil free. For more information about the hotel, Gulf Coast vacation options or Gulf Shores, Alabama golf packages that they offer, visit www.marriottgrand.com.

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