Southern Oak

Auburn Marriott Resort and Spa, 3700 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika
(334) 737-2117

Recent Reviews

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Rusty

Christmas morning breakfast was excellent. The Server was very friendly and the food was delicious. We do this every Christmas and it never disappoints

Troy

Great choice for winter holiday dining. Tasty. Great service. Quiet hotel. Probably different in summer being by the pool area.

Lang

Steak was delicious—Brussels sprouts raw-couldn't eat them. Was told someone else had complained too so why serve raw food 2x. Too expensive

courtney

The buffet looked like it hadn't been refreshed in hours and the service was bad. Our meals from the menu were just ok but priced very high.

Sarah

We booked 6:15 dinner on Thanksgiving for a family of 9. We knew we missed the ‘Thanksgiving buffet' earlier in the day and planned to order off the menu. We were told the buffet was still an option but it was all or nothing for our party so we all ordered the $48/ per person buffet. Half way through the meal as items ran low (turkey and stuffing) we were told those items could not be replenished, they just had what was left. Half our party had only had salad so far. We essentially paid over $500 for limited leftovers. Very disappointing and misleading.

William

Thanksgiving dinner at The Southern Oak was fantastic. The food selection was excellent and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Our party of 4 was welcomed from the start and we never felt rushed. The selection of food items was spread out over the banquet space to make it easier for people to visit the various food stations. While everything was delicious, a couple of items stood out. The prime rib was so tender and delicious. The blackened red fish was also very good. My wife and sister-in-law loved the dessert selections. If we are in the Auburn/Opelika area next Thanksgiving, we will plan to visit the Southern Oak again.

Michael

The bulk of the food was excellent, but would have liked to have had mashed potatoes and green bean casserole on the menu.

Trey

Only table drinks took 25 mins at least didn't do anything for birthday food was average at best.

Kate

We had such a wonderful time at Southern Oak last Sunday for brunch! The food was absolutely delicious — everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The menu had a great variety, from classic favorites to creative dishes, and the portions were just right. The service was outstanding as well — friendly, attentive, and welcoming without being intrusive. The atmosphere was warm and relaxing, perfect for a weekend brunch with family or friends. Our server Courtney was fantastic!

Alicia

One of our favorite breakfast buffets. Not your typical hotel breakfast- very elevated. And there are several made to order options, which are included as well. There's definitely something for everyone on this buffet, whether it's a biscuit and gravy station with redeye and shrimp étouffée along with regular sausage gravy, or a pancake/waffle station with all the toppings (I don't even like waffles, but there's something magical about these honestly). Amazing breakfast meats, a cheese station. The best variety of fruits I've ever seen at a hotel breakfast. Yogurt station. Oatmeal station Pastries. Plus all the things you would normally find.

Helen Mcknight

Good breakfast for our 1-night stay, served in an wood-lined room. The oatmeal was dry but came with berries, milk, granola, and raisins. The egg white omlette was missing fruit but came with the requested turkey sausage.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Pamela

Unfortunately we had a bad brunch experience with a server who brought us the wrong coffee order then took our food order and forgot to enter it into the system. Waited 40 mins for food and finally asked what was going on. She never took responsibility. Fortunately the manager came by and made things right; comping our entire meal. Thank you for doing the right thing. Food was scrumptious once it arrived. Just had to wolf it down fast.

Correen Long

The staff was very helpful and friendly.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Dee C

This spot is located inside a resort hotel. I had searched for brunch on Google, and this place popped up—so that’s what I expected. But when I arrived, I realized it was actually the hotel’s breakfast bar: an all-you-can-eat setup with their regular breakfast menu items.

I had chosen this place because a specific brunch cocktail caught my eye on their website—a grapefruit and vodka drink that sounded refreshing. Since it was around brunch time, it seemed like a great fit.

I opted for the breakfast bar because it included a make-your-own station for hash browns, eggs, or grits, in addition to what was already available. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety, especially given the small space The presentation was lovely, the staff kept everything well-stocked, and it definitely exceeded the typical hotel breakfast bar. Much of the food was locally sourced, and one standout touch was the honeycomb: a slab of it slowly dripping fresh honey into a dish for guests to scoop. Now that’s fresh.

I ordered a build-your-own omelet and hash browns, and also enjoyed lox with capers and red onions. The only gluten-free pastry option was a single piece of bread, which I only found out about from a staff member restocking the bar. You have to ask your server for it. They don’t toast it if you have allergies or celiac, to avoid cross-contamination—a good policy, though it meant I couldn’t enjoy a classic lox and bagel moment.

The omelet was good—not your usual hotel-sized serving. I could really taste the onions, though my daughter joked it was “too eggy.”

We were seated at a small table for two by a window overlooking the courtyard. Beautiful view, but a logistical hassle: every item from the kitchen came out separately, each on its own plate. There wasn’t enough table space, so we had to shuffle and consolidate our dishes while the server stood by holding the rest of our food.

My daughter ordered a mimosa, and I asked about that grapefruit-vodka cocktail. The waiter didn’t know what I was talking about, but luckily it was printed on the back of the menu. The bar itself wasn’t manned and was extremely dark. I’m not sure who made the drink, but it tasted like plain water—definitely a letdown.

Overall, it was okay. I appreciated their awareness of allergies and celiac disease, and I loved the focus on fresh, local food. But it wasn’t easy to find using Google—there was no mention that it’s inside a resort. While the directions were accurate, it took some navigating. There is handicap parking, but it’s a bit far from the entrance. I only found the elevator afterward, while exploring. When we first pulled up, a doorman opened the entrance and asked if we were in the right place place—but after parking, we had to open those heavy doors ourselves. Pro tip: if mobility is a concern, it’s best to get dropped off at the entrance.

The price is steep—$30 per person. While ease-dropping (🤫), I overheard a frustrated family upset because they were charged the full price for two children who only ate yogurt. Since it was considered “off the bar,” it counted as a full meal. Even hotel guests still have to pay. That part left a sour note.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

Joy D. Kirsch

Great hospitality with staff going above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable! Access to pickleball and tennis courts, nice large rooms, and a lovely spa and fitness area, not to mention easy access to the beautiful and challenging Grand National golf course.

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