Add your sail date and the links open on the night before.
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The Grand Hotel is the splurge if the night before is a holiday of its own. It's AAA Four Diamond on Mobile Bay at Point Clear, with The Spa at the Grand Hotel, an indoor heated pool, an outdoor feature pool with a splash pad, and nine places to eat and drink.
The ship is the trade. Our routing puts the terminal about 23 road miles and 41 minutes away with no traffic, and the resort publishes no cruise transfer — only an airport shuttle at $120 each way.
Then there's the resort fee. It's 15% of the room rate, taxed, and it covers self-parking, enhanced Wi-Fi, bikes and the seasonal kayaks and paddleboards. Valet is $32 a night. No pets of any kind, and you must be 21 to check in.
Book it for the nights before the night before, and sleep downtown the last night if you'd rather wake up near the ship.
Book it if
- A resort night or two before the cruise
- A spa morning on the bay
- Families who want a pool with a splash pad
Look elsewhere if
- You want to wake up near the ship.
- You bring a pet.
- You don't want a resort fee on the bill.
What The Grand Hotel charges for, and what it leaves out
What the Grand Hotel's rate and resort fee buy: green is on offer, gold costs extra or comes with a catch, grey isn't stated.
Your night before, from here
The night before at the Grand Hotel, from Marriott's page and the resort's own policies.
Nine places to eat and drink, from the Grand Hall and Bayside Grill to the 1847 Bar and Bucky's Lounge, an indoor heated pool, an outdoor feature pool with a splash pad and a seasonal slide, and The Spa at the Grand Hotel.
Book a car or drive the 23 miles to the terminal yourself; the resort runs no cruise shuttle.
Breakfast is served in the Grand Hall, from a classic menu; Marriott doesn't say it's included.
About 23 road miles to the terminal by our routing, 41 minutes with no traffic — leave room for the morning.
Self-parking inside the resort fee; nothing about the week at sea.
Getting here, and on to the ship
Pick where you start. A solid line is a ride the resort publishes, and from Point Clear the only one goes to the airport, not the ship.
A resort shuttle runs to MOB, 38.6 miles away, at $120 one way or $240 round trip, per Marriott — the same price to Pensacola, 60.9 miles.
Hotel shuttle (paid)
Marriott lists no cruise shuttle; the resort's paid shuttle runs to the airports, not the terminal. Book a car for the 23-mile drive, or drive yourself and park at the terminal deck.
About 23 mi to the terminal — our routing, no traffic.
Self-parking is included in the 15% resort fee; valet is $32 a night ($20 for Bonvoy Elite members). Nothing about leaving a car while you cruise.
Parking for your stay: Included in the 15% resort fee; valet $32 a night ($20 for Bonvoy Elite), premium valet $50, day valet $20.
Marriott lists no cruise shuttle; the resort's paid shuttle runs to the airports, not the terminal. Book a car for the 23-mile drive, or drive yourself and park at the terminal deck.
About 23 mi to the terminal — our routing, no traffic.
Flying in on sail day? Check your landing time first.
Distance
No distance statedMarriott doesn't mention the cruise terminal. By our routing it's about 23 road miles and 41 minutes from 17855 Scenic Highway 98, with no traffic.
Source: marriott.comCruise shuttle
No shuttle statedMarriott lists no cruise shuttle; the resort's paid shuttle runs to the airports, not the terminal. Book a car for the 23-mile drive, or drive yourself and park at the terminal deck.
Source: marriott.comParking while you sail
At the hotel
Cruise parking unconfirmedSelf-parking is included in the 15% resort fee; valet is $32 a night ($20 for Bonvoy Elite members). Nothing about leaving a car while you cruise.
Source: marriott.comParking for the cruise
Terminal deck, $23 a day per Visit MobileDriving to the ship? The terminal's 500-space deck is $23 a day by Visit Mobile's count — our Mobile parking guide has the details.
Source: mobile.orgDriving in? Mobile cruise parking compares the terminal deck with the hotels that hold a car, and our Mobile cruise guide covers the terminal.
The night you’re paying for
The evening
Pool · Food or drinks on siteNine places to eat and drink, from the Grand Hall and Bayside Grill to the 1847 Bar and Bucky's Lounge, an indoor heated pool, an outdoor feature pool with a splash pad and a seasonal slide, and The Spa at the Grand Hotel.
Breakfast
Not freeBreakfast is served in the Grand Hall, from a classic menu; Marriott doesn't say it's included.
Address
Scenic Highway 98, Point Clear17855 Scenic Hwy 98, Fairhope, AL 36532
Hotel website
Ratings
AAA Four DiamondAAA rates it Four Diamond. We found no Forbes rating for it.
Source: newsroom.aaa.comThe fine print, in one place
Times, fees and house rules from Marriott and the resort's policy sheet. A blank means neither says.
Check-in and check-out
Minimum age
To check in, per the hotel.
Resort fee
15% of the room rate, taxable — seasonal water sports, enhanced Wi-Fi, bikes, lawn games, the driving range and self-parking
Wi-Fi
Complimentary for Marriott Bonvoy members; enhanced Wi-Fi in the resort fee
Parking for your stay
Included in the 15% resort fee; valet $32 a night ($20 for Bonvoy Elite), premium valet $50, day valet $20
For the cruise itself, see Parking.
Breakfast
Paid: Grand Hall
Pool
Indoor heated pool; outdoor feature pool with splash pad; seasonal water slide (40-inch minimum)
Pets
No pets of any kind; service animals only.
Food and drink on site
- Grand HallBreakfast, house-baked breads
- Bayside GrillRestaurant
- Southern RootsRestaurant
- Jubilee Poolside Bar & GrillPoolside
- Lakewood Golf Club RestaurantRestaurant
- Sweetwater CafeCafé
- Local MarketMarket
- 1847 BarBar
- Bucky's LoungeBar
Rooms
Marriott's overview doesn't list the room count or types.
Accessibility
The Grand Hotel’s pages we read say nothing on accessible rooms — ask before you book.
On site
- EV chargingYes
- Guest laundryNot stated
- Fitness centerYes
- Pets allowedNo
Also worth knowing
- AAA Four Diamond since 2018
- The Spa at the Grand Hotel
- No pets of any kind; service animals only
Before you book
Worth knowing
- Check-in is 4 PM and check-out 11 AM, and you must be 21 to check in.
- Resort fee 15% of the room rate, taxable.
- Valet $32 a night, $20 for Bonvoy Elite; premium valet $50; self-parking inside the resort fee.
- AAA Four Diamond since 2018.
- Seasonal water slide, 40-inch minimum height.
- Airport shuttle $120 one way to MOB or PNS.
What we couldn’t confirm
- Whether breakfast is ever included
- Room types
- Whether you can leave the car while you sail
The Grand Hotel's details as Marriott and the resort printed them on October 3, 2026 — the resort fee is the line to recheck.
The other splurges near the ship
A night on the bay, then the drive to the ship.
Send us your sail date and we'll price the Grand Hotel for the nights before, and the drive in. No payment on the form.
The Grand Hotel FAQ
Is the Grand Hotel at Point Clear AAA Four Diamond?
Yes — since 2018, per AAA's 2026 Four Diamond list.
What is the resort fee at the Grand Hotel Point Clear?
15% of the room rate, taxable, per the resort's policies. The policy sheet lists non-motorized water sports in season, enhanced Wi-Fi, bikes, lawn games, the driving range and self-parking.
How far is the Grand Hotel from the Mobile cruise terminal?
About 23 road miles and 41 minutes with no traffic, by our routing. Marriott doesn't give a figure.
Does the Grand Hotel have an airport shuttle?
Yes, for a fee: $120 one way or $240 round trip to MOB, 38.6 miles away, and to Pensacola, 60.9 miles, per Marriott.
Can I bring my dog to the Grand Hotel in Point Clear?
No — the resort doesn't allow pets of any kind; service animals only.
Booking the cruise too?
Sailing from Mobile? Send your dates and we'll pair The Grand Hotel with the cruise and the ride to the terminal. No obligation.
Got it — thank you.
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