The Best Beach Hotels and Villas to Book in Alabama

The 500 acres (202ha) of grounds surrounding the Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa is just a five minutes drive from Fairhope. A huge portion of this space is covered by the greens and bunkers of the hotel’s two championship-caliber golf courses. A whole half-acre (o.2ha), meanwhile, is taken over by the on-site spa. Most incredibly, the hotel has its own private beach overlooking the waters of Mobile Bay.

This DoubleTree hotel is set on the beachfront 0.5mi (1km) west of the Perdido Pass – every single room comes with a balcony that looks out over the spruce-blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. You can see the sea from the hotel’s pool and Beachside Bistro and Bar, where the menu showcases Gulf seafood alongside classic American dishes. If seafood’s not your thing, there are dozens of other eateries nearby to try out.

Both the architecture and interior design of this hotel – near the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail – are a celebration of the Gulf of Mexico. The roofs are shaped to resemble waves – inside, there’s maritime blue everywhere and coastal artwork on the walls. Handily, the hotel offers a shuttle bus to Gulf State Park pier, just 2mi (3.2km) away. The al-fresco lounge with its firepit and rattan sofas, meanwhile, is a great place to unwind after a day of adventure.

Part of the Gulf State Park, the Lodge is fronted by an unspoiled stretch of white sand, backed by the 900ac (364ha) Lake Shelby and across the road from Gulf State Park pier. There’s so much to do in the area, however, if you want a break from exploring, the hotel offers plenty of places to relax. Not least, the sea-view infinity pool and the Perch restaurant terrace, where you can watch the sun go down with a cocktail in hand.

This two-tower hotel nuzzles up to the sand on the lower east coast of Orange Beach. Every room here comes with a private balcony that overlooks either the Gulf of Mexico or the multi-blue waters of the Perdido Pass. During the day, the big, freeform swimming pool is the hub of the hotel. Later on, visitors spread out between the hotel’s three evening restaurants, including Voyagers with its seafood and steak menu and 130-bottle wine list.

With pastel wood exteriors, Bahama shutters and white-railed balconies, Carried Away is a classic American beach house. This place is a great choice for families or small groups of friends. There are three bedrooms – each with their own private bathroom – and there’s a big kitchen with a range-sized cooker, marble island and a fridge big enough to stock food for a whole football team. Location-wise, it’s set in the Blue Lagoon area of Gulf Shores, near Gulf Shores Public Beach.

Painted in the colors of a sailor’s shirt, Avocet is fronted by a belt of white sand, a few miles down the coast from Gulf Shores. This beach house was made for group getaways – its five bedrooms can accommodate up to 22 guests and there’s a big living space with multi-seat sofas and banquet-sized dining tables. The place also comes with a beachfront pool and a second-story relaxation deck that’s topped with rocking chairs.

Sidling up to the beach, a five-minute drive from Fort Morgan State Historic Site, Beach Estate earmarks itself as a family reunion favorite. Six bedrooms feature a range of queen beds, bunks and sofa beds to accommodate up to 21 people. There’s a private sea-view pool that’s surrounded by loungers and circular picnic benches. Plus, the house has a big open plan kitchen, living and dining area that was made for group get-togethers.

This six-bedroom beach house is as far east as you can get in Orange Beach. It’s set a short walk from the shore, on the tip of the peninsula that juts out between Bay La Launch and Perdido Bay. The location makes it a peaceful property in comparison to many other Gulf Coast hotels. That doesn’t mean you’re cut off here, though – you can drive to central attractions like Adventure Island and the Wharf in less than 20-minutes.