Search hotels in Gulf Shores

This town is like Florida but with half as many people. Really enjoyed how laid back it was and the beach was very nice, reminded me of Panama City beach. 3-4 days is what I feel would be ideal here, there’s a lot of stuff to do but it’s all close together so you can do a lot in a days time.

Winter time at Gulf Shores is less traffic and many restaurants have daily specials. It has plenty of shopping areas whether you are looking for specialized items or antiques or flea market. I enjoyed the peaceful beaches and plenty family fun on the beach.

This is why we go to Gulf Shores: The beach, of course! There are also a variety of eating choices from everyday fast food to local specialty offerings. A variety of activities for all ages. There’s sitting on the balcony or the beach just soaking up the sunshine, walking the beach (our favorite), mini-golf, and sailboat cruises for a casual, low-key vacation. For the more active (I.e., younger) visitors swimming, biking, zip-lining, and playing at the water parks are also good options. As usual we had a great breakfast at Hazel’s Nook which is served buffet-style plus a made-to-order omelette station. Having Bahama Bob’s just a few blocks down the street from us was a plus, too. We got the hamburger for my husband (of course) and the Pecan Crusted Flounder with Jezebel Sauce for me. Getting around the area is fairly simple as most places are on Hwy 59 coming into the town. Or, they run parallel to the coast - west to Fort Morgan and Mobile Bay; and, east to Orange Beach and on to Florida.

Really what drew me to golf Shores, was that white sand beaches. We were looking for a relaxing getaway, and not looking for a ton of activities. We went to the welcome center which was helpful, and showcased the many things that could be done in the area. The restaurants were all excellent, and gave you plenty to eat. Try Matts ice cream shop in Gulf Shores. Best ice cream ever! Did the sunset dolphin cruise - it was amazing to be able to see dolphins so close, and the sunsets! Wish we could’ve learned a little bit more about dolphin habitat etc.

The condo was beautifully decorated and very comfortable and welcoming. Loved the view and location. Everything we needed for a great stay. There was construction going on but they were very respectful. Our only issue was the key pad lock on our door. We were locked out on the last night for about 3hrs. We called it in and they worked hard to get the codes working then called in the maintenance man who was very quick to respond. When that didn't work he called a locksmith who was there in no time. It was no ones fault, and everyone worked together to get us in. We loved our stay and didn't want to leave!

While most of the people are very friendly, I wish it were more diverse. The food is pretty great, and the beach is accessible and family friendly. The sand is pillowy and lush and doesn't get too hot, but if you have balance issues, I wouldn't recommend. It was perfect for me and my little guy.