Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and other beaches in Alabama are much more. The 32-mile sugar sand beach stretches along the gentle Gulf of Mexico. Gulf State Park is what we think sets them apart from other Gulf Coast Destinations. It’s located between Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach.
We recommend the innovative and beautiful Lodge at Gulf State Park if you are looking for a place to stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach. We agree that they are “A Unique Destination on the Alabama Gulf Coast where Nature is At Your Doorstep,” but we think there’s so much more. Here are our top ten reasons for staying at The Lodge at Gulf State Park.
You are now inside Gulf State Park
Harold Samuel once said that location, location and location are the three most important factors in real estate. What does it mean that the Lodge at Gulf State Park is located within Gulf State Park?
First, a pedestrian overpass bridge would allow access to the interior of the park. The 28-miles of Gulf State Park biking trails can be accessed by riding your bike across the bridge. You didn’t bring your bike? No worries. Once you have downloaded the app, just pick up a free bike from the kiosk located in front of The Lodge. You can rent a kayak to paddle Lake Shelby just across the bridge if you’re looking for more than just riding.
You can also access the Gulf State Park fishing pier, which was once the largest fishing pier along the Gulf Coast. Try your luck with a wide variety of fish, including Sheepsheads, Red Drums, Spanish Mackerels, Flounders, Florida Pompanos, King Mackerels, Whiting and more. You can also enjoy the sunsets and live music as a spectator.
Third, the Gulf State Park Beaches are just steps away.
A True Beachside Resort
The Lodge is a resort that offers more than just sand and surf. You’ll also find a lifeguard tower, sand-volleyball, and umbrella rentals. The Lodge has an outdoor pool, a snack bar, a corn hole game, and showers for preventing salt and sand accumulation.
You don’t need to plan your day at the beach around the most squeaky wheel. You can find something for everyone, and you can adjust your activities to suit your mood.
Nature Programs
Gulf State Park has weekly programs that teach children and adults about Alabama’s Gulf Coast. They offer guided nature walks and beach walks as well as nature time. Many of these activities begin right next to the lodge.
Gulf State Park has a large collection of plants and animals native to the Gulf Coast. Each major coastal ecosystem is represented. This is a one stop eco-tour, with interpretive trails and trained park naturalists.
Rooms With A View
It’s one thing to escape into nature. Enjoying it from your own private balcony is another thing. According to the website of The Lodge, each of its 350 non-smoking guest rooms, including 20 suites weaves comfort and sustainability into a modern flair. The rooms and suites offer guests views of the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Shelby/Gulf State Park or Lake Shelby/Gulf State Park. All rooms feature a slight opening window to let the breeze from the Gulf of Mexico into the room.
We could check the sunrise and decide whether we wanted to sleep in or go to the beach. We would open the curtains in the mornings and enjoy the sunrise while snuggled up in bed. We could still get Vitamin Sea even if we had the air conditioner on.
Sunrise and Sunset
Sunsets and sunrises are magical moments for us. We could take advantage of the golden hours since The Lodge at Gulf State Park was right on the shore. Jenn likes to sleep in and I am a guy who gets out of bed straight away. She let me go on adventures some mornings. Some mornings I went out with her, while others I stayed home. The times I enjoyed the most were the ones when we went out to explore the beaches.
The Lodge has so many places to sit and enjoy the sunset. There’s the pool and beach, but you can also grab a snack and watch the sunset from other locations. The Roasted oak cafe served us a delicious Irish coffee and we enjoyed sitting on the comfy chairs outside the lobby. We loved drinking cocktails on the Perch Patio and Foodcraft deck. If you need a frozen drink to keep you afloat, get a blender at Foodcraft, and take it up to the Perch Patio.
On-Premise Dining
There are actually four on-premises restaurants: Roasted oak, Perch Foodcraft and Dragonfly.
Roasted Oak, a wine bar and coffee shop located just outside the lobby. When we wanted to explore Gulf State Park, their lattes and grab and go breakfasts were perfect.
Both Perch and Foodcraft offer excellent sit-down menus. Foodcraft has a more family-oriented menu, while Perch offers a fancier experience. Both restaurants offer a unique dining experience, and you can expect to find locally-sourced ingredients. The Sunday Brunch at Foodcraft should not be missed.
Although we didn’t have the chance to go to Dragonfly poolside bar and restaurant, we did see many people eating delicious food while they played in the pool.
A Surprising Nightlife
We have a theory on nightlife, or date nights. A date must include at least two things, like a movie and dinner. We have created a list of 15 Perfect Dates Ideas in Orange Beach & Gulf Shores. Two of these are located at or near The Lodge at Gulf State Park.
First, you can take part in a Pedaling Picnic where you will ride your bicycle through the park while eating at Woodside Restaurant. The Lodge is a great starting point because it has a bike share bridge and pedestrian bridge that leads into the park.
Sunset Serenades is another date idea. Live music is available on the Perch Patio. We have already discussed dining at Foodcraft or the Perch. Check in to receive a schedule and plan your date.
Access to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
When I learned we would be staying in a state-run park, I imagined myself surrounded by nature and miles from anything. It was true that nature was all around us. We were in the middle of all that nature.
The Lodge at Gulf State Park is located in an imaginary triangle formed by Little Lagoon Park, the west end of Gulf Shores’ public beaches, The Wharf, the area’s most popular entertainment district and SunRoc Cay Marina – where we did scuba diving – on Orange Beach.
The distances between the lodge and these three points can be calculated as follows:
- Little Lagoon Pass — 6.6 miles west
- The Wharf 6.9 miles North
- SunRoc Marina — 6.6 miles east
The Lodge is close to everything. You could anchor your biking vacation at the Lodge, and never get into your car during your trip.
One of the most romantic hotels in Alabama
We love kids. You can enjoy them with a glass of Chianti and some fava bean, but they are not always welcome on a romantic retreat. With its education programs, beautiful beach and oversized pool, The Lodge is a family-friendly destination. There are still enough quiet areas to allow romance to flourish, even during the peak of summer vacation.
If you prefer to eat at the Perch rather than the family-friendly Foodcraft, then it’s up to you. The afternoons spent at the hot tub and pool are perfect for the whole family, but the early mornings will be yours.
If you’re looking for our top tip to visit Gulf Shores or Orange Beach after the school year ends, we recommend coming down towards the end of summer. There are fewer people (and less money) but the weather and water temperature is perfect.
Sustainability
We were a little nervous when booking a hotel room at a state park. We wondered how they got that permit, and worried about regrets after the trip. The Lodge at Gulf State Park makes you feel good long after your stay. The Gulf State Park Vision Statement states that “Gulf State Park is an international benchmark in environmental and economic sustainability. It will demonstrate best practices for outdoor recreational activities, education, and welcoming accommodations.”
The site had a recycling program, solar energy, turtle-safe lighting and storm-water-safe parking. The site has been dedicated to native plants that thrive without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, irrigation, and can survive on their own. The dune restoration program compensates for all the land that was displaced by construction.
Even if you have a bad experience, it is still a hotel that has a low impact. You can be happy with your stay. You might learn something from their environmental outreach. Your visit could be a positive net for the world.
Last Thoughts: Why Stay at The Lodge in Gulf State Park.
This article is filled with superlatives: romantic, beautiful, environmentally friendly, and close. It would have been nice to mention fun. The Lodge at Gulf State Park is a great place to stay. You’re responsible if you don’t.
It’s also important to mention that this is a Hilton property, meaning Hilton Points or rewards. This also means the property must meet Hilton standards. Hilton, however, wants this particular property to be at the forefront of Sustainable Tourism. We found that as a Hilton flagship property, all their services were above the Hilton standards. This property is very proud of its work, and it shows.