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The Lodge at Gulf State Park
Alabama has one of the most unique and architecturally remarkable lodge experiences anywhere in the Southeast, and most people outside of the Gulf Coast have no idea it exists.
The Lodge sits inside Gulf State Park with the sugar white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico literally at its front door and the quiet waters of Lake Shelby visible from the other side.
This is not a typical beachfront resort. It is a destination that was conceived, designed, and built around a deep commitment to the land it sits on, and that intention shows in every single detail from the moment you walk through the front entrance.
The Lodge opened on November 1, 2018, and it carries a remarkable collection of distinctions that set it apart from any other hotel on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
It is the first FORTIFIED Commercial building in the world, meaning it was engineered and certified to withstand the kind of hurricane-force winds and storm conditions that this coastline knows all too well.
It is the first SITES Platinum certified hotel in the world, a rigorous standard for sustainable land development and ecological restoration. And it is LEED Gold certified, reflecting its comprehensive commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
The architectural team behind it was led by San Antonio-based Lake Flato, working in collaboration with Rabun Architects and ArchitectureWorks, and their design philosophy was rooted in a single idea: every detail of this building should feel like it belongs to the Alabama Gulf Coast.
The result is a five-story, 350-room hotel that is segmented in plan to maximize views, wrapped in materials and colors drawn directly from the landscape around it, the rich blues and greens of the Gulf and the lakes, the sugar white of the sand, and the warm browns and greens of the coastal vegetation.
Step inside and that philosophy only deepens. The rocking chairs and porch swings throughout the property were handcrafted by Wood Studio, a local Alabama company. The front desk was custom designed to evoke the hull of a wooden fishing boat.
The fish tile in Foodcraft was hand painted by a local artist and represents native Gulf species. Nearly every piece of artwork in the hotel was created by an Alabama artist, with corridors dedicated to Alabama State Parks, Alabama industries, and the broader story of this coast and its people.
A stunning glass work by Fort Payne artist Cal Breed anchors the ballroom pre-function area with a design inspired by water. This is a lodge that tells the story of where it is, and it does so with genuine pride.
The Lodge is part of a larger park enhancement project that includes 10 acres of dune restoration and a 14.5-acre restored coastal landscape surrounding the building, with lighting and glazing carefully selected to protect migrating birds and nesting sea turtles.
Check The Lodge in Gulf State Park Availability
Guest Room Types
- Rooms with private balconies available across all configurations
- One King Bed
- Two Queen Beds
- One King Bed with a Bunk Bed
- Two Bunk Beds
Suite Options
- Junior Suites
- Two-Room Suites
- Meeting Suites
Accessible Rooms
The Lodge has a full range of accessible room options including hearing accessible and mobility accessible rooms with roll-in showers, accessible bathtubs, audio and strobe alarms, doorbells, and telephones. Specific accessible room types include:
- Hearing accessible one king and one bunk bed Gulf front balcony studio
- Hearing accessible one king bed
- Hearing Accessible one king bed 2 room Gulf Front balcony suite
- Hearing accessible one king and one bunk bed Gulf Front Balcony
- Mobility accessible one king bed and a Gulf front balcony with roll-in shower
- Mobility accessible one king 2 room Gulf Front balcony suite with roll-in shower
- Mobility accessible one king and one bunk bed Gulf Front Balcony with mobility access tub
- Mobility accessible two bunk bed Gulf Front Balcony with mobility access tub.
Room Amenities
- Free WiFi
- 2.5 miles of Gulf State Park beach access
- Coffee Maker
- Hair Dryer
- Small Refrigerator
- Iron/ Ironong Board
- 50" Flat Screen HDTV
- Air Conditioning
- Private Bathroom
- Water bottle filling stations near elevators and meeting rooms
- Eco-friendly bath amenities from BeeKind Products (Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel)
- 2 swimming pools
- 24 hour Gym/fitness facility on-site
- ATM
- 24 hour front desk
- Giftshop
- Small safes
- Self-Serve and valet parking available (for a fee)
- Over 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space
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Dining Options at The Lodge in Gulf State Park
You will not be dissapointed with the dining options at The Lodge. Here you get great food and beautiful Gulf views
Buffet Breakfast at Foodcraft
Foodcraft
Foodcraft is the main restaurant for the lodge and has, in my opinion, the best breakfast buffet in town! It has a coastal dining experience in every sense, with indoor and outdoor seating, and a patio that overlooks the sugar white sand beaches and emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
The menu is built around the flavors of the Gulf Coast, with hand-cut steaks, local oysters, Gulf shrimp and grits, fresh grouper and snapper, and coastal favorites that lean on locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
The tile work throughout the restaurant was hand-painted by a local artist and represents native Gulf fish species, giving the dining room a character that feels specific to this place rather than generic beachfront fare.
Perch
Looking for a date night, celebrating a birthday or anniversary. or just want great food? Perch is that place!
Perch's elevated dining and fantastic wine selection makes it one of the more interesting restaurants on the entire Gulf Coast. Executive Chef James Balster opened it in 2018 with a clear philosophy: no fried shrimp baskets, no cookie-cutter coastal menu. Instead, Perch offers refined small plates and appetizers built from fresh, local ingredients and prepared with high-end techniques, alongside elevated entrees.
One thing to note is that each meal is scratched cooked and the chef is great with working with food allergies and dietary restrictions, they just ask you give them a few days to plan ahead. We had the Artisan Stuffed Pretzel before our meal and there was plenty for our party of 5! I also had the Delmonico Ribeye and can tell you it was exceptional!
The restaurant itself has Alabama-made artwork accents the clean, contemporary interior, including a striking black acrylic mural titled "Alabama the Beautiful" that traces a quintessential Alabama road trip across its surface.
Two outdoor firepits and a sweeping view of the Gulf make the patio at Perch one of the most desirable seats on the coast for a special evening. Perch is open Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 5 pm and is well worth a reservation.
Roasted Oak Coffee and Wine Bar
Roasted Oak is located in the main lobby of the Lodge and serves double duty across the day. In the morning it is your first stop for locally crafted coffees, infused teas, and house-baked breakfast goods.
Come evening it transforms into a full bar with handcrafted cocktails, a curated wine list, craft beers, and light bites.
Dragonfly Pool Grill & Bar
The Dragonfly Pool Grill and Bar is the casual, come-as-you-are option at the Lodge, open seasonally for lunch and dinner with views of the Gulf Coast right from the pool deck.
Grab a seat at the bar, pull up a patio chair, or settle into the breezeway and order something cold. It is exactly what a poolside dining spot at a beachfront lodge should be.
Reserve Your Room at The Lodge in Gulf State Park
The Lodge at Gulf State Park Information
Season - Open year-round
Check-in is 4:00 pm
Check out is 11:00 am
The Lodge at Gulf State Park Address
21196 E. Beach Blvd.
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Pets - Pets are not allowed in The Lodge at Gulf State Park (service animals accepted).
Smoking - The lodge is a 100% Non-smokong, Non-vaping facility.
WiFi Available? Complimentary WiFi is available for all guests.
Cell Phone Service - There is strong cellular service in the Gulf Coast.
Time Zone - Central Time Zone
Electric Vehicle Charging - There are 4 electric vehicle charging stations located in the self-parking area.
Minimum Age Requirement to Check Into the Room - 25
Cancellation Policy - Varies depending upon reservation type.
Things to do at The Lodge at Gulf State Park
🏖️ Relax on the stunning sugar-white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico steps from the lodge
🌊 Swim in the Gulf or take a dip in the lodge's resort-style pool
🚲 Ride the 28-mile Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system that winds through six distinct ecosystems in the park
🦅 Birdwatch along one of the most productive migratory corridors on the Gulf Coast
🎣 Fish from the Gulf State Park Pier, one of the longest piers on the Gulf Coast
🛶 Kayak or paddleboard on Lake Shelby or Lake Mirror within the park
🏄 Rent beach gear, bikes, and water equipment through the lodge's outfitter
🎭 Participate in naturalist-led programs and outdoor education activities offered through the park.
🌅 Watch legendary Gulf Coast sunsets from the beach or the lodge's outdoor spaces.
- Sunsets can be seen over the Gulf from Late October through Early March when the sun shifts southward in the winter.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tours
Dolphin Tours - Book a dolphin cruise here
Check out our experiences on Hammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, Southern Rose Dolphin cruise, Cruise OB (Orange Beach), Sail Wild Hearts, Sunset Sail and Dolphin Tour, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.
Pontoon Boat Rentals - Enjoy cruising the waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a Pontoon. Check out the pontoon boats with slides for extra fun. Book your Boat Rental Here
Parasailing - Check out the epic views as you parasail in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for wildlife and you float high above the water. Book your Parasaiing Trip Here
Jet Ski Rentals - Jet Ski Tours and rentals are a great way to explore the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Jet Ski Rental Here
Click here to see all of the top-rated tours and activities available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Book The Lodge in Gulf State Park Before it Fills
Alternative Lodging Options if the Lodge at Gulf State Park is Booked
We live In the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area and have spent time in several hotels while looking at homes and planning to move to this area. Some even offer a discount! I loved each one for separate reasons, but if you are into the outdoors, make sure to check out the Cabins & Eagle Cottages at Gulf State Park.
Gulf State Park Cabins and Eagle Cottages- These swoon-worthy cabins are located right on Lake Shelby in Gulf Shores, Alabama! They offer numerous amenities, stunning views, and are situated in a perfect location to explore this incredible area. Be warned, you will not want to leave!
Click here to book your stay at the Gulf State Park Cabins.
Click here to learn more/book your stay at Gulf State Park Eagle Cottages.
The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan): This resort offers beachfront condos with amazing amenities and a great spa. Don't miss dinner at Coast Restaurant.
Use Code - GULFJOURNEY for a discount when booking with Spectrum Resort.
Turquoise Place Luxury Vacation Rentals (Orange Beach): This is our favorite resort in the area! It offers luxury amenities, epic beachfront views, and unbelievable condos.
Use Code - GULFJOURNEY for a discount when booking with Spectrum Resort.
You can also use code GULFJOURNEY when booking directly with Beachball Properties. They have amazing vacation homes and condos in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan.
Additional Articles to help plan your trip to Gulf Shores/ Orange Beach, Alabama
I would highly suggest following Gulf Coast Journeys, a local website filled with great articles from hotels, restaurants, activities, upcoming events, and more! You can read their website or find them on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Check out all of the Alabama National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Tennessee, National Parks in Georgia, National Parks in Florida, and Mississippi National Parks
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
