The 157-year-old AAA Four Diamond Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa weathered Hurricane Ivan with minimal damage to the buildings and property, including the golf courses. A last-minute turn by Ivan away from Mobile Bay spared the property from the brunt of the stormThe Grand plans to reopen no later than Friday, September 24, 2004, with full service available to all guests. All reservations for guests and group contracts for September 24 and beyond will be honored

Of all the points on the property, the pier, boardwalk and bulkhead were damaged but will be repaired in the very near future. A few trees are down on the property and some tree limbs are scattered.

“We look forward to welcoming back our guests with open arms,” said David Clark, general manager at The Grand. “Upon their return, they will be amazed by the condition that the hotel is in after the hurricane. Besides the few cosmetic blemishes (the pier and boardwalk), our grounds are in wonderful condition. Our guests will be able to enjoy the full Grand experience they’ve come to know and expect.”

The Grand closed on Tuesday, September 14, in the mid-afternoon to prepare for Hurricane Ivan’s arrival. During the height of the storm, The Riverview Plaza in Mobile served as a base of operations for The Grand, as well as for many national television networks.

“We are very fortunate here at The Grand to have sustained the minimal damage that we did,” said Knud Svendsen, vice president of sales for PCH Hotels and Resorts, Inc. “We braced for a direct hit from Ivan, but luckily our historic hotel was spared. Our thoughts go out to our neighbors and friends in nearby communities who didn’t fare as well.”
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