An AAA Four Diamond resort with on-site access to 54 holes of Grand National golf at $120-$200 per night
The Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa sits on the Grand National property, providing on-site access to 54 holes of RTJ Trail golf at what may be the strongest price-to-quality ratio of any golf resort in the southeastern United States. The 211-room property holds an AAA Four Diamond rating, and the combination of that designation with nightly rates of $120 to $200 creates a value proposition that most golf resorts cannot approach.
The resort offers pools, a spa, fitness facilities, tennis courts, and bike rental. The scale is smaller than the Renaissance Ross Bridge, and the atmosphere is quieter, shaped by the college-town character of nearby Auburn rather than the suburban energy of Birmingham. For golfers who prefer a calm base between rounds, the setting works.
The on-site golf is the primary draw. The Grand National Links, Lake, and Short Course are all accessible from the resort, and a golfer could play 54 holes across two days without starting a car. The Links course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1993, routes around a 600-acre lake and represents the strongest of the three full-length layouts. At $55 to $95 per round, the math of a two-night, three-round stay at this property undercuts virtually any comparable resort golf package in the region.
Auburn University's campus is less than 15 minutes away, and the college-town dining and entertainment provide more variety than the resort's own offerings. The Opelika antiques district and downtown restaurants add additional options within a short drive.
Booking is available through Booking.com and Expedia. Marriott Bonvoy points apply. The resort coordinates with the Trail's Central Reservations at (800) 949-4444 for stay-and-play packages.