When we have the rare opportunity to indulge in a three-day weekend, one of our favorite escapes is Gulf Shores, Ala. The beachside community is a family-friendly destination boasting sandy white beaches and the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. We made reservations at the Beach Club — a full-service resort offering one- to five-bedroom condos and cottages.

The Beach Club is located down a winding 12-mile stretch of road past the 7,000-acre Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge and a golf course. The resort is on the same road as Fort Morgan, the site of the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay, when Admiral David Farragut damned the torpedoes and went full speed ahead.

We stopped at the entrance to the resort and checked in at the rental office. Before driving to our condo, we picked up a carton of milk and a magazine. Spectrum Resorts guests receive a 10 percent discount off all food, beverages and gifts purchased on the property, as well as priority reservations for resort amenities.

After hurriedly unpacking our groceries, we made a quick inspection of our three- bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath condo. The full-sized kitchen had the extras that made it feel like a home — a blender, toaster, coffeemaker, corkscrew and tea pot. Tucked into a closet were a washer and dryer — a necessity for a beach stay. The master bedroom and living room both had sliding glass doors leading to a large corner balcony with beach views. Down below was one of the resort’s five outdoor swimming pools.

The Clubhouse, located in the center of the property, includes a fitness center with a sauna, steam room, indoor pool, hot tub and an outdoor pool with a small restaurant. The resort also has a full-service spa, eight lighted Rubico clay tennis courts and the Village Mercantile, which stocks clothing, swimwear, toys and gifts. Dining options on the property vary according to the season. The Coast Restaurant offers upscale dining and is especially lovely at sunset. The Village Hideaway is a casual restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. There’s a video arcade at the back, a pool table and a golf simulator. The food is delicious and the atmosphere relaxed. For dessert, stop by the Village Creamery.

The Beach Club is far away from the typical beach town crowds. You can stay an entire weekend and never leave the property. We spent an afternoon exploring the nature trails at Bon Secour and ate dinner at the Sassy Bass Amazin’ Grill with live music. If you want to slow down and really relax, we highly recommend breakfast on the balcony of a Beach Club condo.

The Beach Club

925 Beach Club Trail
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
tel 855 762 6875