Bama Lakeside Retreat

13752 Westlake Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405, Tuscaloosa, United States

4-star hotel

Guest rating: 4.5 / 5

Overview

Bama Lakeside Retreat is a 4-star vacation home-style property in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, located at 13752 Westlake Dr and positioned as a private, spacious getaway rather than a conventional hotel. Guest accounts describe it as a large standalone house well suited to bigger groups, offering a quiet, secluded setting away from crowded tourist areas. It holds a strong 4.5 rating from 13 reviews, with guests repeatedly praising the property's owner, Kim, and her family for a personal, welcoming hosting style.

Amenities & Recreation

The standout feature is a large heated pool (kept around 89 degrees) that guests have used comfortably even in cool, variable weather. On-site recreation also includes a game room with activities for children, an outdoor fire pit area with a personal backstory that guests specifically highlight, a propane fire table, and a big-screen TV set up on the patio for evening use. Reliable, fast internet has also been noted by guests as a highlight of a stay here.

Rooms & Space

While specific room counts are not documented, guest experience indicates the property comfortably accommodated a mixed group of 6 adults and 4 children, suggesting multiple bedrooms and generous common space for spreading out. The home is described as very well stocked with household and recreational essentials, making it functional for extended multi-family stays.

Location & Surroundings

The retreat sits within a roughly 10-16 km radius of several Tuscaloosa-area cultural attractions, including Moundville Archaeological Park, the Alabama Museum of Natural History, the Children's Hands-On Museum, and the Kentuck Art Center & Festival. History and architecture enthusiasts can also visit the Gorgas House, Battle-Friedman House & Gardens, and the Jemison-Van De Graaff Mansion, while outdoor spaces like Snow Hinton Park, Bowers Park, and the University of Alabama Arboretum offer additional nearby green space.

Best for

This property is best suited to multi-family or multi-generational groups seeking a private, self-contained retreat rather than a standard hotel room, given its heated pool, game room, and stocked house that comfortably hosted 10 guests in one reported stay. It also appeals to travelers wanting to combine a quiet lakeside escape with day trips to Tuscaloosa's museums, historic homes, and parks, all within a roughly 10-16 km drive.

Travel tips

Because this is a standalone house-style retreat rather than a hotel with a front desk, guests should coordinate arrival and any special requests directly with the host, Kim, in advance. A car is effectively necessary, as area attractions like Moundville Archaeological Park and the University of Alabama Arboretum are all located 10 km or more away. Given the pool's heating and covered patio fire table, the property can be enjoyable across variable seasons and temperatures, not just in peak summer.

What guests say

Reviewers consistently highlight the warmth and responsiveness of the host, Kim, and her family, describing service as attentive and welcoming. Fast, reliable internet is called out as a notable positive, along with the property's ability to serve as a peaceful, uncrowded getaway. A detailed family account praises the heated pool, well-stocked house, game room, and fire pit area as major highlights for a large group, especially given unpredictable spring weather. No negative themes are present in the available excerpts.

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