Tucked away from rowdy college kids, this family-friendly gated condo community sits on 86 acres near a large, private, white sandy beach. The property feels safe and secure, and has four high-rise towers on the beach as well as cottages along a man-made lake. Units have one to five bedrooms with fully equipped kitchens and living rooms. Since the condos are individually owned, the decor can range from worn-out and dated to beachy chic. Access to some of the amenities (the Clubhouse, bicycles) are limited, and can cost more if rented from a private owner instead of the management company. Beach chair rental can be arranged ahead of time, eliminating the 5 a.m. run to stake out seats.
Tucked away from rowdy college kids, this family-friendly gated condo community sits on 86 acres near a large, private, white sandy beach. The property feels safe and secure, and has four high-rise towers on the beach as well as cottages along a man-made lake. Units have one to five bedrooms with fully equipped kitchens and living rooms. Since the condos are individually owned, the decor can range from worn-out and dated to beachy chic. Access to some of the amenities (the Clubhouse, bicycles) are limited, and can cost more if rented from a private owner instead of the management company. Beach chair rental can be arranged ahead of time, eliminating the 5 a.m. run to stake out seats.
The budget, 100-room Beachside Resort Hotel is an older, motel-style property. True to its name, it's situated opposite the beach on Beach Boulevard. Rooms are spacious and include microwaves, mini-fridges, 46-inch flat screen TVs, and coffeemakers; but they're dark, in need of renovation, and housekeeping and maintenance are not up to par. One highlight is the third-floor outdoor pool with fine ocean views. Other features include a free continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Rates are among the lowest in Gulf Shores, especially for a hotel so close to the beach. Many guests find it an acceptable choice for a night or two, but less attractive for extended stays. Travelers not dead set on staying by the beach should check out the mid-range Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores, which is newer and has kitchenettes.
The budget, 100-room Beachside Resort Hotel is an older, motel-style property. True to its name, it's situated opposite the beach on Beach Boulevard. Rooms are spacious and include microwaves, mini-fridges, 46-inch flat screen TVs, and coffeemakers; but they're dark, in need of renovation, and housekeeping and maintenance are not up to par. One highlight is the third-floor outdoor pool with fine ocean views. Other features include a free continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Rates are among the lowest in Gulf Shores, especially for a hotel so close to the beach. Many guests find it an acceptable choice for a night or two, but less attractive for extended stays. Travelers not dead set on staying by the beach should check out the mid-range Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores, which is newer and has kitchenettes.
The mid-range Mobile Hampton Inn & Suites Mobile/Downtown is an excellent all-around choice for both business and leisure travelers who want to stay in the heart of downtown Mobile. The 149 rooms are clean and comfortable, with microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Some of the spacious suites have balconies with sweeping city views. The free hot breakfast enhances value, and a chain sandwich shop inside the hotel offers room delivery. Amenities include on-site parking, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Rates are reasonable for a downtown property, but the nearby, mid-range Holiday Inn Mobile Downtown/Historic District offers comparable rates as well as free parking and a full-service restaurant/lounge.
The mid-range Mobile Hampton Inn & Suites Mobile/Downtown is an excellent all-around choice for both business and leisure travelers who want to stay in the heart of downtown Mobile. The 149 rooms are clean and comfortable, with microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Some of the spacious suites have balconies with sweeping city views. The free hot breakfast enhances value, and a chain sandwich shop inside the hotel offers room delivery. Amenities include on-site parking, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Rates are reasonable for a downtown property, but the nearby, mid-range Holiday Inn Mobile Downtown/Historic District offers comparable rates as well as free parking and a full-service restaurant/lounge.
From guest registration at the bar to the loft-like communal area that offers 24/7 food and drinks, the three-and-a-half-pearl pentahotel Birmingham offers travelers a decidedly different hotel experience in central Birmingham. Designed to appeal to a hip and young clientele, the property is located in a rather gritty industrial area that’s within walking distance to the city center, The Mailbox, and train station. Its avant-garde design and laidback vibe may not appeal to everyone, but it’s fresh and fun. Highlights include a restaurant/bar, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, meeting space, and expensive covered parking. Rooms are smallish but clean and crisply minimalist. They come with coffeemakers and walk-in showers. Compare rates with the nearby Radisson Blu Hotel Birmingham, a stylish business hotel with a spa and upscale Italian restaurant.
From guest registration at the bar to the loft-like communal area that offers 24/7 food and drinks, the three-and-a-half-pearl pentahotel Birmingham offers travelers a decidedly different hotel experience in central Birmingham. Designed to appeal to a hip and young clientele, the property is located in a rather gritty industrial area that’s within walking distance to the city center, The Mailbox, and train station. Its avant-garde design and laidback vibe may not appeal to everyone, but it’s fresh and fun. Highlights include a restaurant/bar, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, meeting space, and expensive covered parking. Rooms are smallish but clean and crisply minimalist. They come with coffeemakers and walk-in showers. Compare rates with the nearby Radisson Blu Hotel Birmingham, a stylish business hotel with a spa and upscale Italian restaurant.
The mid-range Sugar Beach is an older vacation condo complex located directly on the beach. It offers limited amenities, but does have three clean outdoor pools and an elevated boardwalk that leads to the white sandy beach. Sugar Shack, poolside, sells burgers, snacks, and beverages during the warmer months. Many of the 120 individually owned and decorated units are spacious and impeccably maintained, but guest have reported others to be dated, dirty, and unkempt. There’s a wide range of choice in size and configuration, and rates are attractive for families and extended stay travelers who flock to this seaside complex. For newer accommodations in a traditional hotel, consider the mid-range Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach that opened on the beach in 2011.
The mid-range Sugar Beach is an older vacation condo complex located directly on the beach. It offers limited amenities, but does have three clean outdoor pools and an elevated boardwalk that leads to the white sandy beach. Sugar Shack, poolside, sells burgers, snacks, and beverages during the warmer months. Many of the 120 individually owned and decorated units are spacious and impeccably maintained, but guest have reported others to be dated, dirty, and unkempt. There’s a wide range of choice in size and configuration, and rates are attractive for families and extended stay travelers who flock to this seaside complex. For newer accommodations in a traditional hotel, consider the mid-range Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach that opened on the beach in 2011.
A historic landmark property built in 1914, this mid-range hotel from the Hampton Inn chain retains some of its past charm with classically styled interiors. Its downtown Birmingham location makes it a convenient base for visiting nearby restaurants, shops, and several notable sites. An on-site restaurant serves lunch and dinner, plus a hot breakfast is included in room rates. Other extras include a fitness room, business center, and lots of meeting and event space. Guest rooms are spacious and pleasantly decorated. They come equipped with flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi, but only suites have mini-fridges, microwaves, and some charming balconies. For more features, such as a swimming pool, travelers might want to check out the nearby Sheraton Birmingham.
A historic landmark property built in 1914, this mid-range hotel from the Hampton Inn chain retains some of its past charm with classically styled interiors. Its downtown Birmingham location makes it a convenient base for visiting nearby restaurants, shops, and several notable sites. An on-site restaurant serves lunch and dinner, plus a hot breakfast is included in room rates. Other extras include a fitness room, business center, and lots of meeting and event space. Guest rooms are spacious and pleasantly decorated. They come equipped with flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi, but only suites have mini-fridges, microwaves, and some charming balconies. For more features, such as a swimming pool, travelers might want to check out the nearby Sheraton Birmingham.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Crowne Plaza Hotel Birmingham NEC offers a convenient location for both airport travelers and business professionals. It’s within walking distance or a short drive from the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham Airport, Genting Arena, and Resorts World entertainment complex. The 242 rooms are clean and well equipped but a bit tired. They include mini-fridges, coffeemakers, robes, safes, and free Wi-Fi. The property features a restaurant, lobby bar with a Starbucks coffee counter, meeting facilities for 300 people, and concierge services. But, the fitness center is small, parking isn’t free, and there’s no pool. Travelers looking for lower rates nearby might consider the Arden Hotel & Leisure Club -- parking is free and facilities include a restaurant, bar, pool, sauna, and steam room.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Crowne Plaza Hotel Birmingham NEC offers a convenient location for both airport travelers and business professionals. It’s within walking distance or a short drive from the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham Airport, Genting Arena, and Resorts World entertainment complex. The 242 rooms are clean and well equipped but a bit tired. They include mini-fridges, coffeemakers, robes, safes, and free Wi-Fi. The property features a restaurant, lobby bar with a Starbucks coffee counter, meeting facilities for 300 people, and concierge services. But, the fitness center is small, parking isn’t free, and there’s no pool. Travelers looking for lower rates nearby might consider the Arden Hotel & Leisure Club -- parking is free and facilities include a restaurant, bar, pool, sauna, and steam room.
The budget Best Western Plus Carlton Suites is a good choice for business and leisure travelers who don't want to spend a lot on lodging, particularly those looking at an extended stay. The 102 suites at this pet-friendly hotel are clean and spacious -- if a bit dark and dated -- and all have kitchenettes, sleeper sofas, and free Wi-Fi. However, the bathrooms are cramped. Facility highlights include a free hot breakfast, a weekday managers reception, a heated indoor pool, a fitness center, and a guest laundry room. Rates are attractive for all that’s included, but travelers may also want to consider the mid-range Drury Inn & Suites Birmingham Southwest next door, which has similar amenities and rates that are typically just a tad higher.
The budget Best Western Plus Carlton Suites is a good choice for business and leisure travelers who don't want to spend a lot on lodging, particularly those looking at an extended stay. The 102 suites at this pet-friendly hotel are clean and spacious -- if a bit dark and dated -- and all have kitchenettes, sleeper sofas, and free Wi-Fi. However, the bathrooms are cramped. Facility highlights include a free hot breakfast, a weekday managers reception, a heated indoor pool, a fitness center, and a guest laundry room. Rates are attractive for all that’s included, but travelers may also want to consider the mid-range Drury Inn & Suites Birmingham Southwest next door, which has similar amenities and rates that are typically just a tad higher.
The three-pearl Phoenix Condominiums West is a lovely high-rise complex located directly on Orange Beach. Its 225 units are spacious and well-maintained, with fully equipped kitchens, washer/dryer sets, and covered balconies that overlook the beach. The one- to four-bedroom units are individually decorated and that attract everyone from retired snow birds to large extended families. Multiple pools on-site include a meandering lazy river and a heated indoor pool with an adjacent whirlpool. A tennis court and covered parking are welcome amenities, but beach chair rentals are pricey. There isn't a restaurant or bar on-site and at 28 stories, wait times at the four elevators can be long. Rates are competitive, but the mid-range Sugar Beach offers beachfront condos at lower rates on most dates.
The three-pearl Phoenix Condominiums West is a lovely high-rise complex located directly on Orange Beach. Its 225 units are spacious and well-maintained, with fully equipped kitchens, washer/dryer sets, and covered balconies that overlook the beach. The one- to four-bedroom units are individually decorated and that attract everyone from retired snow birds to large extended families. Multiple pools on-site include a meandering lazy river and a heated indoor pool with an adjacent whirlpool. A tennis court and covered parking are welcome amenities, but beach chair rentals are pricey. There isn't a restaurant or bar on-site and at 28 stories, wait times at the four elevators can be long. Rates are competitive, but the mid-range Sugar Beach offers beachfront condos at lower rates on most dates.
The budget Sleep Inn Gulf Front Resort offers a fantastic beachfront location that's within walking distance of restaurants and shops. Its outdoor pool is just steps from a lovely stretch of public white-sand beach that’s accessible by an elevated boardwalk. The hotel’s attractive rates are enhanced by freebies like breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking. Its 118 rooms are generally clean and well maintained, but they're small, have rather dark and dated decor, and have seen their share of housekeeping and maintenance complaints from past guests. It’s a good value for budget-conscious families and other travelers that seek a beachfront location, but rates can spike substantially on weekends in peak season. A reasonable alternative with only slighter higher rates is the Holiday Inn Express Orange Beach.
The budget Sleep Inn Gulf Front Resort offers a fantastic beachfront location that's within walking distance of restaurants and shops. Its outdoor pool is just steps from a lovely stretch of public white-sand beach that’s accessible by an elevated boardwalk. The hotel’s attractive rates are enhanced by freebies like breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking. Its 118 rooms are generally clean and well maintained, but they're small, have rather dark and dated decor, and have seen their share of housekeeping and maintenance complaints from past guests. It’s a good value for budget-conscious families and other travelers that seek a beachfront location, but rates can spike substantially on weekends in peak season. A reasonable alternative with only slighter higher rates is the Holiday Inn Express Orange Beach.