Stay awhile in the Shoals

There is an array of lodging options in the Shoals, from camping facilities to moderate-priced inns to luxury hotels.

The Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa is unique to the north Alabama region.

The resort-style facility is one of very few four-star quality hotels in the state. It’s the crown jewel of the Shoals area lodging facilities and has become quite popular with convention goers and golfers who come to the area to play the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

All 200 rooms face historic Wilson Dam and the Tennessee River. Each room also has a private balcony where you can watch barges lock through the dam, boats cruise the river or soak in the peaceful sunset that brings calm to the river.

The hotel, which is designed to incorporate the area’s history, also has seven suites and numerous meeting facilities.

The Marriott Shoals also has all the amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel, including spacious bathrooms, in-room dining, a lounge and a full-service spa.

There are also two restaurants to choose from, one within the hotel and the upscale 360 Grille restaurant, a revolving facility at the top of the Renaissance Tower. The tower is adjacent to the hotel and easily accessed through the hotel.

The Marriott Shoals is at 800 Cox Creek Parkway in Florence near the banks of the Tennessee River. Call (866) 746-2560, (256) 246-3600, or www.marriottshoals.com for more information.

One of the newest lodging facilities in the Shoals is the ColdWater Inn on U.S. 72 in Tuscumbia. The facility is near the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

It certainly provides a classy atmosphere, with its décor and design. The granite bathrooms have been a big hit with visitors. There’s also a health club on the grounds along with all of the basic amenities, including wireless internet access.

ColdWater also has two suites – King Cotton and Queen Cotton – that provide a lot of pampering.

If you’re wondering where the hotel got its name, the Chickasaw Indian Nation had a village under Chief Tuscumbia, which was near the big spring of cold water. The village was known by the American Indian name for the big spring, Okacopasaw, meaning cold water.

Contact (256) 383-6844 or info@coldwater-inn.com for more information.