escape for a date
Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa
By Linda Holloway – Photography by Ross Bridge Resort
8january / february 2026
Day and your anniversary are great dates to slow down the merry-go-round life of parenting and celebrate the days when your family began with just the two of you. Everyone will agree that our children are our greatest blessing, but it is often difficult to juggle jobs, kids’ sports, dance, and other activities. Often, quality couple time diminishes as life in the fast lane takes priority, so give your marriage an annual check-up. Remember, the best gift you can pass down to your children is a legacy of a happy family, and that includes a loving relationship between you and your spouse.
Begin with a romantic weekend at one of Alabama’ s most celebrated destinations, Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa. This Resort Collection property is a favorite along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Located along the rolling hills near Hoover, Alabama, and minutes from Birmingham, you will find the longest public golf course in the world, at 8,191 yards, and one of the most relaxing spas I have ever experienced.
Upscale Lodging and Activities
Step into the world of a 4-diamond lodging experience where the rooms and suites have a stylish comfort with sophistication. With 257 guest rooms overlooking the golf course, it is wise to make reservations in advance. The hotel is referred to as The Castle, with its architecture featuring tall turrets and balconies.
Yes, I felt like a princess for two days, and I am sure Rapunzel was once here. The King Suites are popular for couples, but if you want to kick it up a notch, reserve a room in a spacious Hospitality Suite. Our room was stylish with elegant furnishings and a private balcony. Our headboard soared to the ceiling with a nod to an old-world castle featuring modern amenities. Make a playlist of your favorite date songs, and slow dance in the suite’ s living room area. Remember those days of new love? The luxurious mattress, dressed in soft linens, gave us the ultimate rest we needed for the activities the resort offers.
Be sure to ask about various special packages during the year, and reserve the Valentine’ s Package early. If you are celebrating a summer anniversary or“ just because,” check out the adult“ Serenity” pool and the indoor pool. Ride around the scenic neighborhood on bikes, investigate the 3-mile running trail, or enjoy onsite tennis.
On property, you will find fireplaces in common spaces, and you must experience the glow of the firepits in the Terrace area where the real unwinding begins. At sunset, you may imagine you are in the moors of Scotland with the backdrop of familiar soulful tunes being played by a lone Highland piper. Scottish by heritage, the Ross family lived on this land in the 1800s. The piper meanders around the resort and finishes at the Terrance. The sweet melody signals the end of day and the transition to peace and relaxation.