Upon arrival at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel, your children in the backseat might not be the only passengers asking, “Are we there yet?” The earth-tone colors and understated signage allow the structure to blend with the environment. Opened in late 2018, the Gulf Shores, Alabama, property was less than a year old during our three-night summer stay.

The original Lodge, built in 1974, served the community for three decades until Hurricane Ivan destroyed it in 2004. The new, environmentally friendly development is designed with a commitment to sustainability. The rebuild footprint is almost 10 acres smaller than the previous facility and is set back farther from the Gulf, allowing for a more resilient dune system.

Stepping into the lobby of the new Lodge, the floor-to-ceiling windows face the sugar-white sand dunes and blue-green waters of the Gulf. The lobby’s showstopper is the unobstructed beachfront view. A soaring ceiling, large fireplace, custom-made furniture and wall sculpture depicting the loggerhead turtle tracks create a relaxed and welcoming first impression. Glass doors open to a deck that runs the length of the hotel, and a row of rocking chairs are an open invitation to slow down.

Located on the 6,000-plus acres of Gulf Shores State Park, guests of the Lodge can easily embrace nature by exploring nearly 28 miles of biking and hiking trails, kayaking, fishing, birding, taking guided nature walks or Segway tours and visiting a butterfly garden or the nature center. A pedestrian bridge on the grounds of the hotel safely connect the beach and green sides of the park

The full-service property offers valet or self-parking. Guests can access the beach using two pedestrian boardwalks. Seating surrounds an outdoor Gulf-front swimming pool. Open seasonally, the Dragonfly Pool Bar and Grill make dining alfresco easy. Ping-Pong tables and bean bag toss games are located in a covered poolside area. A 24-hour fitness center’s garage-style doors face Lake Shelby inside Gulf State Park. For added inspiration, the treadmills face paintings of frozen desserts created by an Alabama artist.

All 350 guestrooms and suites offer a view of Lake Shelby and Gulf State Park or the Gulf of Mexico. Most rooms include a balcony and all rooms have a window that can be slightly opened to bring the outdoor breeze inside.

Most guestrooms measure 350 square feet. Our fifth-floor, wheelchair-accessible guestroom with a king-sized bed provided ample floor space. To our delight, the small balcony was well-designed and accommodated a large power wheelchair. We could sit outside and hear the waves crashing on the shore. The bathroom was one of four that feature a roll-in shower. Additional amenities include a coffeemaker with real coffee cups, a safe, mini fridge, free WiFi and a flat-screen television. On floors two–five, a covered outdoor terrace is located at the end of the hallway. You can enjoy a cup of coffee with a view of the Gulf of Mexico.

Every morning of our stay, we dined at Foodcraft (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner), which offers indoor seating and a huge outdoor patio. Whether you are inside or outside, you can enjoy views of the water. The breakfast buffet is massive with a made-to-order omelet station, house-made pastries accompanied by locally made jams and jellies, biscuits with gravy, crisp bacon, sausage, grits, cereals, yogurts and fruit. The friendly staff doesn’t mind refilling coffee cups for guests who like to linger with the complimentary newspaper. In the evening, Perch opens for cocktails at 4 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m. The large terrace seating provides a beach view. The elevated menu emphasizes seasonal ingredients obtained from local and regional sources.

The Lodge at Gulf State Park, like its surroundings, is a unique property. The respectful environmental design melds with nature while encouraging visitors to immerse themselves in the outdoor amenities. We expect the property to once again become a hub of community activity that generations of families will enjoy.

The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel

21196 E. Beach Blvd.
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
tel 251 5404000
lodgeatgulfstatepark.com