Alabama's Gulf Coast: Where to Stay

Decided you want to visit Alabama's Gulf Coast? We're not through with the series by any means, but for those who like to go to the beach as soon as it gets warm enough, here's my advice: Go! It's warm, sunny, not too crowded, and April and May are wonderful times to visit.

In case you plan to go soon, I thought I'd give you some advice on my favorite places to stay and to eat. We'll cover my favorite hotels this time, and the best places to eat in two weeks.

I'll start with two disclaimers: I haven't stayed, nor have I eaten, at all of the places on the Gulf. There may be some fantastic restaurants and hotels that get left out. If so, my apologies. Also, there are some really neat places a few miles away, like some B&Bs around Fairhope and restaurants at Foley. I'll get to those later.

I don't know about you, but if I don't stay right on the beach, I'm not happy. What good is it to be at the beach if you can't toss on a T-shirt and shorts and go for a walk in the morning before anyone else is up? Or if you can't play around at the shore while your companions are getting dressed or watching Braves baseball? I've stayed across the road with access via a tunnel (in Destin, not in Gulf Shores) and a few miles away at a nice hotel, but both times, the trip was missing something.

My vote for the top spot is at Orange Beach. The Perdido Beach Resort was formerly known as the Perdido Hilton and featured in John Grisham's first big hit, The Firm. If you love to be pampered, try the Perdido. Just driving up the long driveway is a treat. Nestled into some serious landscaping, the turn is easy to miss unless you're looking for it. From the time you pull up to the bell stand until you leave, expect top quality service in luxurious surroundings.

The entire hotel is a treat. The rooms are nice, the beach is wide and relatively uncrowded, and the staff are attentive. There is a large pool that begins as an indoor pool and flows to the outside, and two hot tubs, one for adults only in case you don't care to steam along with a six-year-old.

One of my favorite things to do is sit by the pool in the afternoons and listen to Steve Taylor, the resident troubadour, sing and play his guitar. He sings a lot of Jimmy Buffett, and is entertaining but not overwhelming.

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