With upscale rooms, exceptional services, and easy access to nearby attractions in Opelika, Alabama, The Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa at Grand National is a stunning property that offers views of Lake Sougahatchee. Amenities include resort-style indoor and outdoor pools with bar service, eight tennis courts, and 13 meeting rooms. The modern accommodations feature locally-inspired décor, private balconies, and marble bathrooms, in addition to world-class dining options that range from the signature Southern Oak restaurant that serves American classics to a poolside Splash Bar.

The Spa at Grand National is a 20,000-square-foot, three-story oasis where guests can enjoy an array of soothing treatments, massages, and salon services in a lush, treehouse-inspired setting. The spa’s decor is inspired by the naturally occurring elements of the earth, water, air and fire found in the Alabama landscape. Each treatment room invites individual guests to indulge their senses in a naturally relaxing setting.

We interviewed Kari Myers, Spa Director at Grand National, who shared insider tips, recommended treatments to try, and more:

Why You’ll Love It: The human element (the people) of the spa. Everyone is treated like family by our well-trained spa therapists and hosts. We have a team of highly skilled associates that have a passion for taking care of our guests no matter what service you book! Hospitality is our industry and something that is expressed with each guest interaction.

Key Features: The Spa at Grand National is a three-story, 20,000 square-foot spa and wellness facility that includes a spa, salon, and fitness facility. The fitness facility includes state-of-the-art Technogym fitness equipment and a virtual training room where you can experience guided personal training virtually (Fitness-on-Demand).

Amenities include infrared saunas in the spa and fitness center locker areas, whirlpools, hideaway lounge (private lounge for functions such as wedding showers and friend gatherings) featuring various amenities upon request such as Naturopathica tea, infused water, and chilled towels. The Naturopathica Vitality bar provides guests delicious herbal tonics and elixirs chock full of medicinal herbs and spices that address a variety of everyday imbalances.

Bonus: Guests are served a choice of champagne or mimosa when they visit The Spa at Grand National and we will also feature seasonal offerings such as hot chocolate, candy canes adorning the side of the champagne glass or lavender-infused champagne!

Insider’s Tip: If you have never experienced an infrared sauna, do it! the health benefits are tremendous and you will feel so good after 15 minutes in it. Benefits include weight loss, increased metabolism, muscle pain relief, immune system boost, detoxification, improves appearance of cellulite; eases joint pain and stiffness, stress and fatigue reduction; improves skin, and many other health benefits!

Unique Treatment: The Secret Garden Signature Poultice Massage (50 minutes $130; 80 minutes $185; 110 minutes $255). Created uniquely for the guests of the Spa at Grand National, this massage promotes relaxation by using a warm herbal poultice to help ease muscle aches and pains, stimulate circulation, and detoxify stagnant energy in the body. You will be out of the woods and in a blissful state of Zen with this signature treatment. 

Splurge Treatment: HydraFacial (80 minutes $325). Uncover a new layer of skin with gentle exfoliation and relaxing resurfacing. Remove debris from pores with painless suction. Nourish with intense moisturizers that quench skin. Saturate the skin’s surface with antioxidants and peptides to maximize your glow. HydraFacial uses a unique, patented Vortex-Fusion delivery system to exfoliate, extract and hydrate skin, and the spiral design delivers painless extractions. 80 minutes will also include red and/or blue light therapy, as well as lymphatic drainage to relieve stagnation in the skin.

Insider’s Favorite:  Yes! I have three favorites, actually:

• HydraFacial: The best facial on the planet.

• The Elements: A signature body treatment of the Spa at Grand National—also right in line with our most unique treatment—it's so good. Enter the mystical world of the Andes and discover the healing and nurturing power of native sacred plants. Ancient Inca massage techniques inspired by the four elements of nature act in synergy with exotic aromas, comforting textures, and unique nurturing plants to create an original experience that will deeply feed your body and energize your soul.

• Deep in the Woods Massage: I am not really a fan of deep tissue, but the protocol from Naturopathica that we have tweaked to make our own is so good. This is hands-down my favorite at the moment, it's got a beautiful flow, nice sensory experience, and overall incredible experience—not just your run-of-the-mill deep tissue massage at all. Deep, rhythmic pressure massage syncing with the flow of nature; specifically intended to alleviate stress, uproot your daily aching muscles, and revive the senses with this powerful, deep tissue massage.

Featured Products: FarmHouse Fresh, Naturopathica, Oribe, and Priori.

For more information and to book a treatment, visit the website and follow them on Instagram: @marriottgrandnational

[Images courtesy of Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National]

Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National

3700 Robert Trent Jones Trail

Opelika, AL 36801

334-741-9292