Hotel at a Glance: Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott Golf Resort & Spa

Conveniently concealed by the beautiful Bluegrass Country rolling hills, this trully urban oasis boasts a secluded atmosphere with a myriad of local area attractions and activities such as hiking trails, a collection of distilleries offering facility tours, and bike rentals, just to name a few. The hotel’s Bluegrass Bistro restaurant will satisfy even the most sophisticated palates with its mouth-watering cuisine. With its breathtaking scenery and sizeable indoor and outdoor venues, Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is a perfect destination for a family vacation, romantic getaway, or work travel.

• Sample the local cuisine at the hotel’s Bluegrass Bistro featuring outdoor seating.
• Spacious Guest rooms feature plush Tempur-Pedic beds, marble bathrooms, and upscale amenities.
• Make a splash in the hotel’s indoor or outdoor pool.

• Break a sweat during a workout in a fully-equipped, 24-hour fitness center.

• Relax and refresh with a handful of body treatments at the full-service spa.
• Check out the attractions such as the 18-hole championship golf course, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a collection of distilleries offering facility tours, and many more.

Lexington, Kentucky: Horseracing, Basketball, and History in Bluegrass Country

Known as the “Horse Capital of the World,” Lexington boasts two historic tracks—Keeneland and the Red Mile—where thoroughbred and harness races are held throughout the summer and fall. But these days, the city might be more aptly nicknamed the “Men’s College Basketball Capital of the World.” The University of Kentucky Wildcats have won eight national championships over their 100-plus-year history, and their perennially impressive squads always seem to be in contention for more trophies. To catch a game, make your way to Rupp Arena, the world’s largest basketball-specific arena.

Though some die-hard fans might disagree, there is more to Lexington than horses and basketball. The city is famous for its historic mansions and sprawling estates. Many of the 19th century’s most noteworthy and notorious statesmen spent time here, including Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, who was a Lexington native. Her family home is now a museum. Another historically important dwelling is Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, a former slave plantation on several hundred acres just outside the city. Today, visitors can take guided tours of the 18-room mansion, walk the grounds, and visit a Civil War monument.