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The best areas to stay in Gulf Shores are West Beach and East Beach, both offering direct access to the white sand beaches and the Gulf of Mexico.


West Beach is ideal for families and those seeking a quieter, more residential feel. This area stretches west from the main public beach access point and is characterised by its low-rise condominiums and beach houses. It's less crowded than the central Gulf Shores area, providing a relaxed atmosphere for beach days. You'll find easy access to the Gulf State Park Pier for fishing and the Backcountry Trail for walking and cycling.


East Beach, on the other hand, is closer to the heart of Gulf Shores and offers a more active experience. This area is east of Highway 59 and is home to a mix of high-rise condominiums and resorts. It's particularly good for couples or families who appreciate being within a short drive or walk of the main attractions, including numerous restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. The Hangout, a popular beachfront restaurant and entertainment complex, is a prominent landmark here.


Both West Beach and East Beach provide excellent access to the Gulf's beautiful coastline.

For families seeking highly-rated accommodation in Gulf Shores, the Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms, Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores by IHG, and Best Western On The Beach are excellent choices.


The Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms, with an 8.8 rating, is popular by guests, who frequently praise the amazing staff and clean, great rooms. It offers amenities such as a pool, sofa beds, and complimentary rollaway beds and cribs, making it very accommodating for families. The hotel also provides free WiFi and self-parking.


Another excellent option is the Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores by IHG, rated 8.6, which is particularly praised for its comfortable and clean rooms and delicious breakfast. Families will appreciate the child-friendly window design, cribs, sofa beds, and a pool. Complimentary WiFi, self-parking, and free toiletries are also provided.


The Best Western On The Beach, with a rating of 8.2, is a popular choice for families. Guests often highlight its spacious and clean rooms, beautiful location, and great staff. The hotel features both indoor and outdoor pools, sun loungers, and connecting rooms, providing ample space and recreation for all ages. It is conveniently located near attractions such as Waterville USA and Gulf State Park.

For a highly-rated spa hotel in Gulf Shores, consider the Seawinds Condominiums by Wyndham Vacation Rentals.


This property, with a rating of 8.0, offers excellent spa facilities, including a sauna, great for unwinding. Guests can also enjoy a variety of swimming options with indoor, outdoor, and children's pools. The condominiums boast ocean views and are conveniently located near Gulf Shores Beach, just 2.3 km away, and Orange Beach Beaches, 8.6 km away.

In Gulf Shores, two highly-rated beach resorts that travellers love are The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel and Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort.


The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel, with an impressive 9.2 rating, is highly praised for its location right next to the ocean and Lake Shelby. Guests often praise the nice, clean rooms with premium bedding and Egyptian cotton sheets, as well as the amazing staff. The resort features a poolside bar and a beachfront restaurant, and it is very close to Gulf State Park Fishing Pier and Gulf Adventure Centre at Gulf State Park.


Another excellent choice is the Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort, which boasts an outstanding 9.6 rating. This resort is conveniently located near the beach and offers complimentary breakfast, including a buffet option. It is close to attractions such as Waterville USA and Shrimpy's Mini Golf, making it a great base for exploring the area. See more stays near the beach in Gulf Shores

For hotels in Gulf Shores that offer complimentary breakfast, consider the Comfort Inn & Suites Gulf Shores East Beach near Gulf State Park, the Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort, the Hampton Inn Gulf Shores, the Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores by IHG, and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Gulf Shores by IHG.


The Comfort Inn & Suites Gulf Shores East Beach near Gulf State Park, with an excellent 9.2 rating, provides a free continental breakfast daily, along with free self-parking and free WiFi. Guests frequently praise the friendly and helpful staff, the great breakfast, and the super clean rooms. This hotel is conveniently located just 0.7 km from Gulf State Park Fishing Pier and 1.5 km from Gulf State Park.


The Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort, boasting an outstanding 9.6 rating, offers a free buffet breakfast and features a poolside bar, sun loungers, and an outdoor resort-inclusive pool. It is located 1.5 km from Gulf Shores Beach and 0.6 km from Wade Ward Nature Park.


The Hampton Inn Gulf Shores, rated 9.0, includes a free buffet breakfast, complimentary toiletries, free WiFi, and free self-parking. Guests often highlight the great breakfast, clean rooms, and friendly staff. The hotel is situated 1.0 km from the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail and 1.2 km from Gulf State Park.


The Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores by IHG, with an 8.6 rating, provides a free buffet breakfast, free WiFi, and free self-parking. Guests frequently comment on the comfortable and clean rooms, friendly staff, and delicious breakfast. Free cribs and toiletries are also available.


The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Gulf Shores by IHG, also rated 8.6, offers a free continental breakfast, complimentary toiletries, free self-parking, and free WiFi. Guests appreciate the friendly staff, excellent rooms, and great breakfast. It is located 1.2 km from the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail and 1.3 km from Gulf State Park.

For pet-friendly accommodation in Gulf Shores, consider the Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort, Hampton Inn Gulf Shores, Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores by IHG, Red Roof Inn Gulf Shores, and Motel 6 Gulf Shores, AL.


The Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort, with an outstanding 9.6 rating, welcomes both dogs and cats. It is conveniently located near Waterville USA, Gulf State Park, and Shrimpy's Mini Golf.


The Hampton Inn Gulf Shores, rated 9.0, also permits both dogs and cats. Guests speak highly of the great, clean rooms and the friendly staff, as well as the complimentary buffet breakfast. It is close to Waterville USA and Gulf State Park.


The Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores by IHG, rated 8.6, is another excellent option for guests travelling with pets. Customers frequently mention the comfortable, clean rooms and the friendly, nice staff, along with delicious breakfast options.


Red Roof Inn Gulf Shores is a pet-friendly choice that allows both dogs and cats. It is situated close to Pirate's Island Adventure Golf and The Track Family Recreation Centre.


Motel 6 Gulf Shores, AL, rated 7.4, welcomes pets and offers free Wi-Fi and free self-parking. Guests appreciate the comfortable, clean rooms and the friendly staff. It is located near Pirate's Island Adventure Golf and The Track Family Recreation Centre.

For a romantic getaway in Gulf Shores, consider The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel or the Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort.


The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel, with an impressive 9.2 rating, offers a wonderful setting for couples. Guests frequently praise the nice, clean rooms and the amazing location. Many rooms feature balconies and some even offer lake views, providing a tranquil backdrop for your stay. You can also enjoy the poolside bar and beachfront restaurant, with the added luxury of premium bedding and Egyptian cotton sheets.


Another excellent choice is the Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort, boasting a superb 9.6 rating. This hotel provides complimentary breakfast, including a buffet option, and features a lovely outdoor resort-style pool with sun loungers and a poolside bar, great for relaxing together. Many rooms offer ocean views and balconies, ideal for enjoying the coastal scenery. See all romantic hotels in Gulf Shores

The best time to go to Gulf Shores is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) months.


These periods offer pleasant weather, with warm temperatures and lower humidity, making it ideal for enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities without the peak summer crowds. You'll find the water warm enough for swimming and plenty of sunshine for relaxing.


For couples looking for a quieter, more relaxed trip, visiting in May or September is particularly good. The school holidays haven't started or have just ended, meaning fewer families and a more peaceful atmosphere on the beaches and in restaurants. You can enjoy long walks on the sand and romantic dinners without the bustle.


Families often find early June or late August to be a great compromise. While it's slightly warmer, the large summer crowds haven't fully arrived or are starting to thin out.

Gulf Shores offers a few options for evening entertainment, generally centred around casual bars and live music.


The main area for nightlife is along Beach Boulevard, particularly around the public beach access points. Here, you'll find several establishments that offer live music, often featuring local bands playing country or rock. These places tend to be quite relaxed, with a focus on drinks and a good time.


Another area with some evening activity is around Highway 59, heading towards the Intracoastal Waterway. This stretch has a few sports bars and pubs where you can watch games and grab a drink.

You can cancel your hotel reservation on Expedia, although it depends on the cancellation policy of your booking. Most bookings are refundable if cancelled within 24 to 48 hours of the scheduled arrival. Be sure to check your booking confirmation for the exact cancellation policy. If free cancellation is available, you can cancel directly through your Expedia account by logging in, going to ‘My Trips’ and selecting your reservation. To find flexible deals, filter your search by ‘Fully refundable property’ for hotels in Gulf Shores.

One Key™—Expedia’s free travel rewards programme—gives you instant access to discounts with Member Prices on Gulf Shores hotels. Plus, you’ll earn OneKeyCash™* on eligible bookings to use on future trips. Booking an Expedia hotel and flight package is another great way to save, where bundling can result in significant savings. *Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.

Prices for hotels in Gulf Shores often vary, but you can find a great deal from NZ$110 on Expedia. All sorts of factors affect price, such as the time of year or the days of the week you choose for your stay. Find the best deals by being flexible with your dates, and sort search results by ‘Price: low to high’ for our cheapest rates.