Perdido Beach Resort

While the Perdido's prime beach location means it's probably most suited to vacationers, the venue also does brisk business with the corporate and convention set thanks to several large ballrooms and meeting spaces. The result is that, as Alabama's only full-service beachfront resort, the hotel attracts a variety of guests and is typically bustling. The building itself has a Mediterranean feel with a red stucco exterior and Spanish tile roofing. The lobby is rather nondescript albeit open and spacious with multiple check-in counters to accommodate the constant flow of guests. Interesting little details like a fresh herb garden give the hotel character beyond the beach, but no doubt, the proximity to the Gulf of Mexico is the main draw here.

Located in the town of Orange Beach, this hotel backs onto the beach…literally. A short wooden boardwalk leads guests directly to a stretch of white sand abutting the Gulf of Mexico. The road in front of the hotel is a moderately busy four-lane highway, which is the main access route for the entirety of the beach area between Gulf Shores and Perdido, offering up a variety of bars and restaurants. The road is busy at times and can sometimes be difficult to cross on foot, so proper caution should be taken. Perdido Beach Resort is just two miles from the Florida line, 29 miles from Pensacola International Airport to the east, and 72 Miles from Mobile Regional Airport, northwest.

The 346 rooms here are all pretty standard as far as decor and amenities, though sizes may vary depending on what you book. Suites are bigger with extras like couches and microwaves. Green coverlets/bed skirts, throw pillows, carpets, and accent walls offset by dark wood furnishings give the spaces a natural feel. Some units seem a little dated -- unsurprising since this is an older property -- but are still kept clean and comfy in terms of temperature thanks to central air-conditioning. (This is important since rooms in the East Tower tend to get warmer due to more direct morning sun.)  Modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, docking stations, and free Wi-Fi are included. The bathrooms have shower/tub combos, eco-friendly toiletries, and hairdryers but no exhaust fans, which can be inconvenient when sharing spaces. A major plus is that all rooms have balconies with patio furniture, but keep in mind that the views vary.

Though Perdido Beach Resort is centrally located -- meaning you can get around town easily if you want to check out other eateries -- there are actually four restaurants and two bars right on-site. Voyagers, open for dinner only, offers a fine-dining experience overlooking the gulf with a focus on fresh seafood. The more relaxed, family-style Cafe Palm Breeze, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, is the site of the resort's renowned breakfast buffet; though it's not free, it is plentiful. Guests can also enjoy the Pizzeria & Ice Cream Shoppe and the Half Shell Grille, with the latter offering American favorites like burgers and fries poolside. And there are two bars: the popular Splash Pool Bar and the Lobby Lounge. Both feature musical performances by live musicians. Speaking of pools, there are several on-site as well, including an indoor pool with an adult-only hot tub, a dedicated kiddie pool, and a huge outdoor pool with a wooden bridge connecting both sides of the spacious, lounger-filled deck. A decent fitness center is also on hand and includes multiple pieces of cardio and weight-training equipment. Tennis courts are available for guests too, but they are across the four-lane highway. Approximately 45,000 square feet of event space means this hotel can also handle meetings, conventions, and weddings.