23044 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, Alabama, United States | (618) 248-8274
Great location directly on the white sands of Sugar Beach
Attractive rates for a beachfront property
Located a two-minute drive to Adventure Island
Three clean outdoor pools and a kiddy pool
Most units are clean, updated, and spacious
Outdoor tennis and shuffleboard courts
Seasonal poolside snack shop that sells alcoholic beverages
Free, secure parking spaces are mostly covered
Numerous complaints that some units are dirty and not
maintained
Many units offer limited or no views of the beach
Poolside restaurant is seasonal
Dark and dingy hallways are institution-like
Spotty or non-existent Wi-Fi
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.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Older vacation complex filled with snowbirds and families on longer stays
The attractive rates of this older complex and its great
beachfront location draws lots of snowbirds, vacationing families on a
budget, and other travelers who are seeking seaside accommodations for longer
stays. With three pools and no clubhouse or sit-down restaurant or bar, there
isn't a central gathering place for guests and those who own (and stay) in their
units. The Sugar Shack near the beachside East and West pools is probably the
closest thing to a communal area, set with picnic tables and a home base for families coming and
going during warm weather. The boardwalk that connects the pools and the beach
stays busy. It passes over lovely dunes on its way to the white sands, and it has
an area to rinse off sand under an outdoor shower before returning to the hotel. The beach bustles with sun
lovers and beach attendants who rent gear. All in all, this is a quiet and laid-back
complex geared toward families and retirees.
Location
Directly on Sugar Beach, a short drive from Adventure Island
The Sugar Beach complex sits directly on the Gulf of Mexico
along Orange Beach’s main thoroughfare, Perdido Beach Boulevard. The hotel is surrounded by
other vacation condo complexes and vacation homes. A seafood
market and restaurant is located within a one-minute walk, and numerous other restaurants and
shops are a quick drive away. The popular Adventure Island theme park is a
two-minute drive, and Gulf State Park is a four-minute drive away. The Wharf in
Orange Beach and its amphitheater, cinemas, shops, and restaurants are about 13
minutes away by car. The dozens of stores at the Tanger Outlet Foley are 20 minutes
away by car. Approximate drive times to Pensacola International Airport and the
Mobile Regional Airport are one hour and 90 minutes, respectively.
Rooms
Condos in a wide range of decor, size, and condition; all with fully equipped kitchens
Sugar Beach's homelike condos are individually owned and as such,
vary widely in decor, size, and upkeep. One attractive aspect of this complex is the wide range of choice, from studio and efficiency units with Murphy beds to four-bedroom, multiple-bathroom units. Generally speaking, expect to see a casual
beach motif that utilizes bright pastel colors like turquoise blues and greens
on the walls, upholstered furniture, and bedspreads. Beige tile and laminate
wood floors are more typical than carpet. Nautical theme artwork hangs on the walls. Furnishings in the fully equipped kitchens can range from matching
stainless steel appliances to dated, mismatched appliances. Granite countertops are
common, but so are older, Corian laminate countertops. Bars set with stools are used
frequently in the kitchen areas, and sleeper sofas are common, too. The latest
models of large flat-screen TVs and DVD players are provided in some units, while others
have older tube-style TVs and even VCRs. Washer/dryer combos are standard. Some of the
bathrooms can be quite nice, with granite vanities and walk-in showers framed
by polished marble. Others are dated with acrylic vanities and shower/tub
combos. Many of the 120 units are clean and impeccably maintained, but others
are the subject of rather scathing complaints for being dirty and unkempt with
leaking ceilings, moldy shower curtains, and worn out carpet and mattresses.
Many units offer lovely ocean views from their small balconies. Others
offer partial beach views or views of pools or the interior courtyard. Free Wi-Fi is offered, but many guests report it to be spotty or virtually
non-existent in some units.
Features
Three pools, seasonal snack shack, and direct beach access
Probably the most talked about features at this vacation
rental complex -- other than the beach -- are the three clean outdoor pools. Two of the pools abut dunes on the beach and have adjacent kiddy pools. The third pool sits
above the parking garage and is surrounded by interior units to form a
courtyard area that also has a worn tennis and shuffleboard court. Each pool has a nice
sundeck set with lounge chairs. The beachside pools also have picnic tables
covered by gazebos. There's an additional sundeck overlooking the beach that
has loungers and rocking chairs. Sugar Shack is open seasonally.
It sells burgers, hot dogs, snacks, and various beverages including beer. Beach
access is via an elevated boardwalk over dunes. Beach attendants rent chairs,
umbrellas, and other beach gear in season to guests. The parking complex is attended by a
security guard. Plenty of parking is available directly below the condos, with
many covered spaces. Rolling carts are available to haul luggage to the elevators
and up to the condos through dark and dingy hallways. Free Wi-Fi is
supposedly accessible throughout the hotel, but many guests complain that it's unreliable.
