Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa
Julie Register experienced this resort spa near Birmingham, Alabama in July 2006

The Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is located just outside Birmingham, Alabama. I visited the resort 11 months after it had opened and enjoyed the resort's accommodations, restaurants, spa, fitness center and golf course. In the 1800's, the property belonged to James Taylor Ross, a Scotsman. During the Civil War, a bridge was built on the Ross estate to connect the city with the region, hence the resort's name. Each evening, bagpipes are played on the resort property. The Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa is one of the PCH Hotels & Resorts, a collection of world-class hotels located throughout Alabama. All PCH properties are located either directly on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail or are only minutes away. PCH is funded by the Retirement System of Alabama which also has investments in Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

SPA

The Spa at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa is located on the lower level at the end of the building, a quiet corner appropriate for this peaceful retreat. The spa can be entered from the outside or by way of a long hallway from the inside. The reception area is located in the spa's retail boutique.

I checked in and was escorted to the women's changing area. The receptionist introduced me to the spa attendant who showed me to my locker and gave me a tour of the facilities. She told me not to worry about being at a certain place at a certain time for my spa appointment. She would find me when it was time - a very nice touch. I changed into my bathing suit (not necessary) and started off with a steam followed by a soak in the whirlpool. Before I knew it, the spa attendant gently told me I needed to get ready for my treatment. She gave me a plastic bag for my bathing suit, asked me to change into my robe and wait in the Quiet Room.

My first treatment was The Ultimate Caviar Facial, the spa's signature facial. The purpose of this anti-aging treatment is to hydrate and firm the skin. It uses Kerstin Florian products with protein-rich caviar and powerful Chinese botanical antioxidants. During the next 90 minutes, my face was cleansed, exfoliated and moisturized. Three masks were used. I was treated to contour lifting facial massages, hand and arm massage and foot massage. The final steps were the use of a Marine Matrix Sheet and an ampoule. My skin felt like it glowed when it was all over. My esthetician gave me the remaining ampoule to use at home.

I returned to the Quiet Room and helped myself to a bottle of water from the fridge and some nuts and dried fruit. Shortly, I was escorted back to the Couples Treatment Room where I met my husband for a Beaus and Belles Treatment. The double hydrotherapy tub had been filled and was ready for us. It had fragrant Melissa and other oils to help us relax. We soaked in the hot water for about 20 minutes before we got the signal to dry off and get on the massage tables. Our massages started off with Bongers - smooth rubber balls at the end of flexible metal rods. The therapists kind of played us like xylophones. It was kind of nice. Then came hot towels on the back - very nice! A great massage followed. Once again, my husband started to snore. Once again, he denied it. Once again, there were three witnesses. I'm glad he was so relaxed. I was, too

The 12,000-square-foot full-service spa and salon has separate men's and women's changing rooms with steam rooms, showers, vanity areas and lockers, separate quiet rooms and wet areas with whirlpools, and 10 treatment rooms including a couples treatment room and wet treatment room with an enclosed Vichy shower capsule. The salon has hair, manicure and pedicure stations.

Other treatments offered at The Spa at Ross Bridge include:

FITNESS CENTER

Jeff and I used the Fitness Center during our visit. There is a nice selection of treadmills, elipticals, leg and arm strength machine and free weights. Across the hall, we used the studio to stretch. There was a morning fitness class offered, but we did not participate.

GOLF

I'm not much of a golfer, but my husband is. He was very happy when he found out we were staying at a hotel on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. He's played five others on The Trail and was very impressed by the quality of the courses and value of the play. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a collection of top-notch public courses across the state funded by the Retirement Systems of Alabama. By the end of 2005, The Trail had 432 holes at 10 different sites to boost tourism, attract retirees, and spur economic growth within Alabama. The courses appeal to golfers of all skill levels. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bridge is just two miles from the existing 54-hole complex at Oxmoor Valley in Birmingham.

Jeff played the Ross Bridge Golf Course twice during our stay. I tagged along in the cart on the second round. It was a lovely ride. The third longest course in the world, this 4,800- to 8,191-yard championship course has 330 acres of lush landscaping over the rolling terrain of the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Ten holes play along the banks of two man-made lakes connected by a waterfall between the ninth and eighteenth greens. A gristmill housing the snack bar and restrooms reflects the history of this old mining site.

GUEST ROOM

Guest Room #418 at The Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa	Guest Room #418 at The Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa
View From Guest Room #418 at The Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa	View From Guest Room #418 at The Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa

We had a very comfortable room with a balcony overlooking the pool. Unfortunately, all of the rooms with king-sized beds had been taken, so we had a queen. Apparently, there was a wedding taking place that weekend, so the resort was pretty full. (There is an on-staff wedding planner, 20,000 square feet of function space and a spacious ballroom.) The comfy bed was triple-sheeted with a tone-on-tone duvet and had a unique headboard accented with leather and copper nails. The bathroom had a granite countertop and a separate shower and bath - something I really appreciate. There was a safe and coffee-maker, but no robes - an amenity I would expect at a resort of this caliber. The only other fault I could find was something I noticed sitting on the balcony. There is a water wheel on the top of the waterfall that spills into the pool. The wheel turned in the opposite direction that it should have and at about four times the speed. Picky, I know.

DINING

* We ate a number of meals at the resort's two restaurants, the Clubhouse and Brock's. The Clubhouse is the less formal of the two with a golf clubhouse setting and TVs playing sports channels. The service was a bit less polished as well, but the food was excellent. One highlight there was the egg white omelet. In addition, I asked for a side order of the chef's vegetables - which was a mixture of zucchini and yellow squash that evening. Instead of the bland squash mixture, a delicious medley of fresh vegetables was presented- asparagus, mushrooms, corn, green beans and more in a light sauce. It was definitely more than I expected. Brock's is fine dining with a Mediterranean influence. The service and food were both excellent. Our first meal there was the bountiful breakfast buffet. Our second meal was dinner. Jeff had seared scallop risotto, and I had grilled salmon with beet risotto and leek cream. Both were outstanding.