By Mike May
When it comes to stay-play-and-eat golf getaways, Mobile, Alabama is the real deal. Once you experience Mobile’s resort, golf, and dining life, this destination will rival all the great travel destinations from other parts of the country. The question becomes when and how often you will return to Mobile, the Azalea City.
There are two great places to stay around Mobile Bay. The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa is in downtown Mobile and the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa sits along the eastern shores of Mobile Bay at Port Clear. 
The historic Battle House opened in 1852. This quaint, classy, and historic landmark was built on the site of Andrew Jackson’s War of 1812 military headquarters. The list of high-profile guests to the historic Battle House includes, former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, captains of industry, the rich & famous, and, one ‘King,’ the legendary Elvis Presley.
One of the treats, not to be missed, is a tour of the hotel with local historian George Moore. I guarantee it will be well worth your time. Located in the heart of Mobile, The Battle House is a short walk from a number of restaurants, bars, and local points of interest.
The Grand Hotel, which first opened in 1847 is an ideal destination for your family, your golf buddies, or for you and a significant other. Guests can relax alongside one of five pools and have a refreshing soak in the hot tub. There’s also a kids pool for families with young children.
For water enthusiasts, the hotel provides access to a pair of white, sandy beaches alongside Mobile Bay, including a designated section for swimmers. The hotel also has kayaks and jet skis for its guests.
Other activities include, tennis, biking, horseshoes and croquet. If you are still seeking recreational diversity, make time for a massage in the spa, a session in the steam room, or a workout in the fitness center. Whatever you do each day, make time for afternoon tea.
One of the unique aspects of your stay at the Grand Hotel is the firing of the cannon every day at 4:00 pm. The cannon blast over the water of Mobile Bay honors the men and women of the military, who have served in battles and skirmishes in Mobile Bay, dating back to the late 1700s.
The two best places to eat locally are Wintzell’s Oyster House and Dauphin’s. At both restaurants, the seafood on their menus, shrimp, crab, grouper, oysters, seafood gumbo, and clam chowder, is beyond compare and simply delicious. Dauphin’s offers amazing views of Mobile from its perch on the 34th floor of the RSA Trustmark Building, located directly across the street from the Battle House.
When in Mobile, two wonderful places to play golf are at nearby Magnolia Grove and Lakewood, the two southern-most locations on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. At Magnolia Grove, there are three 18-hole golf courses to play. Both the Falls and the Crossings are 18-hole championship quality courses. The Short Course is one of the most enjoyable par 3 short courses you can play anywhere.
All three courses give every golfer a memorable, serene golf experience filled with creeks, marshland, lakes, large greens, cloverleaf-shaped bunkers, and hardwood forest.
At Lakewood, two 18-hole golf courses, the Dogwood and the Azalea will provide a true test for any golfer. The course is located across the street from the entrance to the Grand Hotel. Both courses at Lakewood are well maintained, fun to play, and require strategic thinking.
“At Lakewood, we are all about the sunset, fox squirrels, and oak trees,” saod Niall Fraser, director of golf at Lakewood. “In recent years, we have widened the fairways and the greens are not as extreme on both courses.”
And, in 2021, Dogwood was the site of the 59th U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur and is a regular host for the Alabama State Amateur Golf Tournament.
Once you stay at Battle House or the Grand Hotel, eat at Wintzell’s and Dauphin’s, and play golf at Magnolia Grove and Lakewood, you’ll understand why Mobile is the real deal and one of the best stay-and-play golf getaways in the United States. Don’t forget the tour of the Battle House with George Moore.
