Sense of Adventure
A short drive from Atlanta, an award-winning destination awaits guests at family-owned resort Pursell Farms
It might seem like an unlikely destination—in the seat of the marble capital of the Southeast—but Pursell Farms is ideally situated to be the most turnkey weekend getaway you’ve ever had.
Located on 3,200 acres of family property in Sylacauga, Alabama, just 45 minutes southeast of Birmingham, proprietors Ellen and David Pursell have deftly created a most welcoming escape. Featuring award-winning golf, spa, approachable upscale dining as well as hunting and fishing adventures, Pursell Farms blissfully blurs the line between traditional Southern hospitality and world-class accommodations.
The driveway onto the property sets the tone for your visit as you wend your way from the front gate through rolling fields dotted with longhorn cattle, past the ORVIS outpost and through the sun-dappled woods. Before reaching the Inn, you’ll also catch a glimpse of the stunning Hurdzan-Fry-designed golf course which Golfweek consistently ranks as the No. 1 All-Access course in the state of Alabama.
The Inn is a relatively new addition to the property (opened 2018), which not only doubled the number of guests Pursell Farms could host but widened the resort’s audience. Beyond corporate meetings and guys’ golf weekends, the property is now sought after for girlfriend getaways, couples retreats and family reunions. Whole wedding parties can also commandeer the entire property, celebrating their nuptials under the arbor at Hamilton Place, a 26-acre on-site venue complete with catering, entertaining facilities and a rentable starlit dance floor.
The resort’s unique Yoga on the Mountain activity includes transportation to the mountaintop to practice yoga among endless skies and panoramic views. Warmer months mean pool time, where the sundeck overlooks the golf course and pastoral fields beyond.
We love a destination where, once you arrive and the bellman takes your bags to the room, you won’t need to see your car again until the stay is over. Pursell Farms is that kind of place where on-site transportation is done by ambling, strolling or ferrying yourself about via golf cart. If you long for something a little more adventurous, reserve a utility-terrain vehicle for a scramble to the top of the mountain for a scenic view.
Dining at Pursell Farms is overseen by former Atlanta chef Joe Truex, who combines his hospitality training with Louisiana roots to craft epic epicurean fare. Whether attending one of his signature “Cochon de Lait” events or seasonal flavor exploration meals, you are sure to come away satiated and inspired. Casual fare can be found at Old Tom’s Pub or at The Grille at the Clubhouse, while Arrington restaurant offers elegant meals with a relaxed Southern feel.
There is no wrong time of year to visit Pursell Farms—simply pack an easy overnight bag, your golf clubs and your favorite traveling companion for that uncomplicated getaway you have longed for.