Gulf Shores

[wiggles]

We are looking to go to Gulf Shores this fall for our break. Not our usual Disney trip Looking for a nice place to stay, if anybody has any suggestions i would be happy to hear them. I have been to VRBO but there are so many choices it's a little overwhelming. If someone could help me narrow it down to certain buildings that would help...Thanks sooo much!

~Tonya

 

[WishMom09]

We go to Orange Beach every year....just down the road from Gulf Shores....we prefer Orange beach!
How many bedrooms are you interested in?
We have stayed at 3 different condos all booked through VRBO!

 

[princessmom29]

Meyer Realty would be my suggestion. They are one of the largest listers of privately owned condos. We live about an hour and a half from Gulf Shores. We we go down we usually stay at Gulf Shores Plantation. It is on Ft. Morgan Rd., and not in Gulf Shorse proper. It has a much more relaxed feel. It is not "luxury" but is clean and homey.They have several different pools including an indoor one, and a really nice stretch of private beach. The big plus for us with a condo is having the kitchen there to cook when we want to.

 

[taylor3297]

We go to Gulf Shores every year and stay at Paradise Isle. It is across the street from the beach but right at a light in front of a public access site. That way it is very easy to walk across the street to the beach. The place isn't fancy, but we enjoy staying there because it isn't a bit resort, the pool is never crowded and you have access to a washer and dryer for free.

 

[HLAuburn]

If you need a bigger condo (3 or 4 BR), check out Turquoise Place. It's amazing. They have 2 beachfront highrises, several large pools, and a lazy river. The condo's are absolutely gorgeous, huge, with flat screen TVs and a hot tub on the balcony. They usually run some decent specials when you book thru Spectrum Vacations - they run the properties.

When we aren't looking to splurge or need a smaller place, The Lighthouse has 1, 2, and 3 bedroom condos, on the beach, 3 pools (one is zero-entry). You can usually find some good vrbo deals there.

In the past we have rented through places like Meyer and Young Suncoast, but they have all these ridiculous fees they add on, so we stopped using them and booked through the owners or directly from the condo.

 

[johnsontrio]

Just wanted to add one thing... We rented a condo through VRBO this year for Easter Break. It was our first time to do so, usually we trade our timeshares for vacation. We got burned big time. The unit was filthy dirty, food in the oven, food in the fridge, every dish in the kitchen covered with grease etc... I could go on and on. I would advise you to ask for an email address or phone number for someone that has recently rented the unit and get a reference from them. I wish I had.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

We love Orange Beach/ Gulf Shores! We have stayed at the Phoenix X and the Caribe. I know we booked the Caribe through Meyer, but a friend booked the Phoenix X both times we stayed there, so I'm not sure who they booked it through. The Phoenix X is right on the beach, right next to the Florabama and other bars and restaurants, and is a pretty active place. I have been there twice during the Mullet Toss Weekends, so it was a pretty rowdy place then. I'm sure it's not like that all of the time, but that is a pretty hot weekend for Spring Breakers, so it was then.

I love the Caribe. It's not right on the beach, but they have a tram that will take you there. It has a great pool area and is just a beautiful place. If I were going just with my husband or with some friends, I'd go back to the Phoenix. If I were taking the whole family, the Caribe is perfect for kids.

Now, I'm leaving Thursday and staying at the Wharf this weekend. If you're not familiar, the Wharf is an entertainment and shopping complex that is about 10-15 minutes from the beach. We are going for a concert, so we just decided to stay there. Again, it's just me and my husband, and we aren't planning on going to the actual beach, so I think it will be perfect. I also like the idea of walking out of my room and right into the Ampitheater, instead of having to drive out there and back.

My friend has a condo in the SanRoc Cay area. My husband was there two weekends ago for a bachelor party, and he loved that area. We are supposed to go down in Sept/Oct for a girls' weekend, and that's where we are staying.

HTH!

 

[wiggles]

Thanks everyone...keep the ideas coming!

It will be my husband and I and our two girls (12 & 9). A two bedroom is what we are looking for.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

The Caribe has a zero entry pool with water slides, as well as an indoor pool and a lazy river. Just wanted to throw that in now that I've seen the ages of your girls. When we were there last year, there were tons of families there. You could tell that it was a total family type place. We only encountered two groups of college aged kids (who graciously partied with six people in their 30s who had left the kids at home) while we were there, so I doubt it gets very rowdy. We had a fabulous 3 bedroom, but I know they have 2 brs.

Another place I thought of was the Beach Club. It's a little farther out from the GS/OB main drag, but has it's own beach area, great pools, restaurant onsite, etc. I know they have 2 bedrooms, because I stayed there once in college. Very nice. My only problem back then was that it was such a drive to get to the bars, etc. I probably wouldn't worry so much about that now, but it was a high priority as a college student. (Heck, it's a little priority now, but not as much!)

 

[wiggles]

Thanks going to go check them all out!

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

We are making our second trip to the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. We love it because it is such a quiet beach. We used to vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC but I really like the laid back atmosphere at Orange Beach much better.

 

[lovetheprincesses]

We always stay at Perdido Beach Resort. Clean, recently remodeled, and quiet more private beach.

 

[wdwpjs]

Lets hope and pray very hard that they arent affected by the oil spill. Sadly I think it is inevitable.

 

[3DisneyGals&1Grumpy]

We use Sunset Properties in Gulf Shores/ Ft Morgan. Lots of great condos and houses to choose from.

Can't remember her Dis name but they are a Disney loving Family who are members of the Disboards.

 

[STB ON THE BEACH]

Ah,,, we are the Sunset Properties people! Our company manages 100 rentals in Ft. Morgan, which is about 25 minutes from the heart of Gulf Shores. We are very family oriented ~ great place to ride bikes, stroll through the historical Ft. Morgan, take long walks on the beach and enjoy family time. Most families will spend a day or two of their vacation in Gulf Shores at the water park or shopping, then the remainder of their time is simply reconnecting as a family by the pools or on the beach. We have several resturants nearby too, if you don't feel like cooking. Our one bedrooms will sleep up to six people (bunk beds in the hallway) and most of the one bedrooms have two full bathrooms. We also have two and three bedroom condos and houses. I always offer fall specials,, some starting as low as $449 TOTAL for an entire week! We would love to share our piece of paradise with another disfamily!!!!

 

[WishMom09]

I would recommend Palm Beach Club or Emerald Key!
Both in Orange Beach!

 

[ndfi78]

I'm partial to The Enclave which is in Orange Beach, of course that is because the in-laws own there and we stay for free. It is a great location though, on the beach with indoor and outdoor pool. Grocery store and shopping center right across the street.

http://www.meyerre.com/property/Enclave_The_603

 

[wiggles]

still so many choices...all really nice ones. Another one of my friends had mentioned Destin too. So many of you like Orange beach. How far apart is Gulf Shores to Destin? Wondering if we stay in one place would it be feasible to do attractions in the other? Thanks!

 

[mary0305]

Another vote for the Beach Club in Ft. Morgan. It is 12 miles from this resort into Gulf Shores. Everything you need is on property (groceries, restaurants, spa, kids activities). Have been staying here for 8 years and it is a great resort!!

 

[Beckypooh1972]

Lets hope and pray very hard that they arent affected by the oil spill. Sadly I think it is inevitable.

I wouldn't book anything until you see the outcome of the oil spill; we are locked into a rental for the end of may and are really nervous about going to the gulf. We are staying in panama city beach; we discussed canceling but we are so close to our dates that we'd lose our $1000 if we cancel