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If you are looking for a great hotel in Gulf Shores, Alabama, listen up because today I am sharing all about The Lodge at Gulf State Park. This is a beachfront Hilton Hotel with access to Gulf State Park. I enjoyed my recent stay here so much and want to tell you all about it.
Now, I want to point out that there are also many great vacation rentals in the Gulf Shores area. However, there are times, such as a quick weekend getaway, when a hotel makes more sense. Plus, this property is in a great location, so it’s a wonderful option for your first visit to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama!
You may enjoy reading Hotels vs Airbnbs: Why And When To Choose One Over The Other.
Also, what really makes this hotel in Gulf Shores special is the access to Gulf State Park. It’s a nature and adventure lover’s dream! If you are traveling to Gulf Shores with kids, you will love all of the daily programming at the Nature Center and Learning Campus, including things like stargazing, turtle talk, guided nature walks, eco-art, reptile romp, and so much more. It’s a real treat!
The Lodge At Gulf State Park
While the current hotel is fairly new (it opened in 2018), the original Lodge at Gulf State Park opened in 1974. Unfortunately, Hurricane Ivan destroyed the beloved property 20 years ago. Efforts were made to rebuild and reimagine the property as a resilient and sustainable destination for the future. I was very impressed by the commitment to sustainability that I witnessed there.
In the following section, I will start with a quick overview of the Lodge at Gulf State Park and then break down what to expect at the hotel, including room types, restaurants, and amenities. And, yes, they have a Gulf-front pool!
Then, I will break down some of the benefits of staying here and share more information about Gulf State Park itself! There is a wonderful education center with activities, free bike rentals, and 6,150 acres of trails to enjoy. This is great if you plan to visit during the cooler months and want to get outside but aren’t necessarily on a “beach” trip.
Hotel At Gulf State Park
The beachfront Lodge At Gulf State Park hotel has 350 rooms and is located directly on the Gulf of Mexico. It’s just east of Highway 59 and has a great central location in Gulf Shores and not far from Orange Beach, Alabama.
ADDRESS: 21196 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Lodge at Gulf State Park: Rooms
The Lodge at Gulf State Park has 350 rooms. In addition to the standard King and two Queen room types, they have standard bunk bed rooms and double bunk bed rooms that your kids will love. There are also Gulf view suites with and without bunk beds.
The rooms are decorated with throwback beach vibes and include a small refrigerator. They also have connecting rooms and accessible hotel rooms, subject to availability. Here are a few photos of my room and my balcony during my recent stay.
Some rooms offer a view of the Gulf and a private balcony that you see in my photo above, while others overlook Lake Shelby and Gulf State Park. Of course, the Gulf view is reflected in the rates, but I think it’s worth it!
Just look at this amazing sunrise view. I took this photo back in late February. I love winter at the Alabama beaches. There isn’t much better than a crisp winter beach walk as you watch the sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico.
Lodge at Gulf State Park: Amenities
In my opinion, the biggest amenity at the Lodge at Gulf State Park is the direct access to the state park itself! I will go into much more detail about Gulf State Park a little later in the post, but know that it’s a treat!
At the Lodge at Gulf State Park, you have beach access (via two walkovers). You can set up your own beach equipment or rent chairs and umbrellas from Ike’s Rentals. Current rates are $45/day for two chairs and an umbrella or $80 for two days. They also have vendors for fun beach activities such as kayaking and parasailing!
In addition to the direct beach access, guests of the Lodge at Gulf State Park have access to the beachfront pool. Please note that the pool is not heated, but the pool deck is open all year for sunbathing. I saw people swimming when I was there in late February.
The Gulf State Park Pier is in the background of the pool photo above. The renovations have since been finished, and it reopened in August 2024. Guests at the Lodge At Gulf State Park can show their room key for free access to the pier, another great amenity!
Lodge at Gulf State Park: Restaurants
The Lodge at Gulf State Park offers a variety of food and drink options. Everything I ate while there was amazing. Even the catering we had at our Southern Traveler’s Explore conference was top-notch!
Here is a quick rundown of the various Lodge at Gulf State Park restaurants.
Perch
This upscale restaurant at the Lodge at Gulf State Park is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday and features a beautiful Gulf of Mexico-facing terrace. It is the place to be at sunset! Reservations are recommended.
Foodcraft
Foodcraft, located just below Perch, is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has lovely water views! You can also make reservations here if desired.
Roasted Oak
This small coffee shop is open daily from 6 AM to 5 PM and, of course, serves coffee. It also offers cocktails, a wine bar, and grab-and-go food. Here is the patio right outside of the coffee shop!
The Dragonfly
This seasonal restaurant is located adjacent to the pool deck. It is a great place to grab a cold drink or bite to eat while enjoying the pool or beach.
Woodside Restaurant
While all of the above dining options are located at the actual hotel, this restaurant is located inside Gulf State Park. It’s casual and a favorite for great food and live music. Plus, there are fun backyard games, making it a great place for families. They are open from 8 AM to 8 PM, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Catering And Event Space
The hotel also has a robust catering program and over 40,000 sq ft of meeting space. While you may not be planning meetings, keep this in mind for family reunions. And if you do plan a bigger trip like that, consider calling the Beach Moms to set up a beach picnic for you! This is one they did for us right in front of the lodge last Spring.
Benefits of Staying At The Lodge At Gulf State Park
I think that this Gulf Shores hotel is a great option for quick trips, families, and first-time visitors to the Alabama beaches. There is a reason it’s one of the top-rated hotels in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and one of the most popular places to stay in Gulf Shores.
Quick Trips: Often, Airbnb and short-term rentals have cleaning fees, making them effective for longer stays. A hotel is great for a quick Alabama weekend or long weekend getaway, especially when you want to eat out and don’t plan to spend a lot of time inside.
Family Stays: While this hotel has 350 rooms, it feels manageable. Between the beach, pool, games in the lobby, and all of the activities at the state park, there is a lot for families to do here. If you want to park your car and not leave, this is a great option!
First-time Visitors: Due to its central location in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area, you can get to most of the popular activities, including the marinas in Orange Beach, in under 15 minutes.
READ: 9 Reasons To Plan A Fall Trip To The Alabama Beaches
Exploring Gulf State Park
We are talking about the Lodge at Gulf State Park, so I want to share some quick information about the Park itself. If you are interested in staying inside the park itself, there are also additional accommodations within the park, including cabins, camping (around 500 sites), and glamping. So, between that and the hotel, there is a robust range of Gulf Shores State Park lodging options.
The Lodge at Gulf State Park also has a tram service that connects the hotel lobby with various parts of the park, such as the Woodside restaurant, Nature Center, and more. Click here for the schedule and more information.
Gulf State Park Activities
One of Alabama’s most beloved state parks, Gulf State Park has something for everyone. Visitors can bike, hike, geocache, boat, fish, paddle, birdwatch, and take part in numerous interactive educational opportunities. They can even take a Segway tour!
Something special about Gulf State Park is its bikeshare program. We are so excited to do this as a family when we visit Gulf Shores over our Fall Break!
Both the Gulf State Park Learning Center and Nature Center are true gems! They offer daily and weekly programming for kids and adults. While the programming is more robust during the peak and shoulder seasons, fun activities are offered all year. There is also a new Interpretive Center at Gulf State Park, complete with a planetarium.
Click here for the Gulf State Park Learning Campus and Nature Center event schedule, and make sure to pre-register for events! You can also always pop into the Nature Center Monday through Saturday between 9 AM and 4 PM.
Please note that the Nature Center and Learning Center are two different places. The Nature Center is within Gulf State Park Campground at 22120 Campground Rd, while the Learning Campus is located at 20249 State Park Rd.
Click here for a map of Gulf State Park. That link also has the hotel’s tram schedule.
Book Your Stay At The Lodge At Gulf State Park
As you can see, Gulf State Park is a wonderful place to visit, with loads of activities for families and couples. Even on a girl’s getaway to the Alabama beaches, a long bike ride and drinks at Woodside sounds like a perfect day. There is a reason this is one of the best hotels on Gulf Shores beaches and one of the most popular places to stay in Gulf Shores.
Add the lodge hotel pool and easy beach access, and you will find the perfect weekend getaway.
Click here to book your stay at the Lodge at Gulf State Park.
More About The Alabama Beaches
Once you plan your trip, check out my weekend Gulf Shores itinerary, which includes options for families and groups traveling without kids. Also, be BEach SAFE and familiarize yourself with the beach flag warning system along the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida.
Not planning on a beach day? Here are over 15 other things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. I hope you have a wonderful trip!
Visit the Alabama Beaches website to learn more about planning a trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama.
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