Category: Gulf Coast Accomodations

Why Orange Beach is Your Number One Family-Friendly Spring Break Spot

Posted on by Eva Faircloth

If you’ve been searching for the best Spring Break spot to take your family, it’s time to relax – because it lies in Orange Beach! Nestled on the gorgeous Alabama Gulf Coast, this small but stunning beach destination is extremely family-friendly, offering miles of safe and spacious shoreline as well as some of the area’s best attractions and entertainment. There are even fantastic family resorts where comfort and convenience are right outside your luxury beachfront condo!

No matter your family’s size or style, there are a few big benefits to spending Spring Break in Orange Beach.

Homeschool Field Trips

1. Beautiful Beaches

While some beaches are great to look at, their shorelines are strewn with rocks and seashells that make stepping on a Lego feel like a soothing foot massage. Many areas are also still quite chilly during spring, which can make taking a Spring Break swim feel more like wading through a snowstorm.

In contrast, Orange Beach boasts soft sugar-white sands and turquoise waters that are great for swimming and strolling. If the water is still a little chilly, Turquoise Place offers two oversized heated indoor pools. The area offers more than 32 miles of spacious Gulf Coast shoreline where families can spread out and soak up the sun under a vibrant spring sky.

Turquoise Place Lazy River Orange Beach

2. It’s Fabulous for Families

Quaint and quiet, Orange Beach is one of the most family-friendly beach destinations on the Gulf Coast. You won’t find the chaos of college congregations on our shores thanks to strict beach rules that prohibit underage drinking, large tent setups, loud or disorderly conduct, and other public nuisances. That means you can comfortably bring your children to swim, sunbathe, and build sandcastles knowing their safety – and your sanity – are never at risk.

3. Activities for All Ages

Nothing brings down a great Spring Break faster than hearing “I’M BORED!” Luckily, you can banish boredom from your vocabulary in Orange Beach because the area is full of amazing attractions and activities for all ages. You can enjoy an excursion at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (you’re never too old to cuddle a kangaroo); book a family fishing charter or sunset dolphin cruise; or take a fun family bike ride through the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry trail. Families also love to visit The Wharf, an exciting entertainment destination full of shopping, restaurants, live performance venues, and more.

4. Fun Family Dining

Sandy kids and white tablecloths are not a good mix. That’s why Orange Beach has a variety of dining options designed just for families – places where kids can be kids, parents can relax, and everyone can enjoy a delicious meal. Restaurants like Tacky Jacks and The Hangout include full play areas and fun kids activities to keep them entertained as you eat, and parents will love listening to local live music and sipping on custom cocktails. The dress code and atmosphere are casual, and the menus feature classic favorites for even the pickiest eaters (so no need to pack your own nuggets.) You can also order your favorite burgers, wraps and salads from our poolside bar and grill at Turquoise Place. The Spectrum Club Lounge is also open seasonally at the resort. Here, you’ll find daily complimentary breakfast, as well as a games for the whole family.

5. Spectrum Resorts Guarantees a Stress-Free Stay

When you stay with Spectrum Resorts at Turquoise Place, the rental management company responsible for two of the area’s most luxurious resorts, you aren’t just getting a place to stay – you’re securing a stress-free vacation experience. Guests enjoy exclusive perks unavailable to those who book with other rental providers – things like committed on-site staff, strict cleanliness guarantees, discounts on dining and retail outlets, cashless charging, and more.

6. It’s The Only Place with Turquoise Place

Turquoise Place is committed to crafting amazing family vacations, and you can only find our luxurious family resort in the heart of Orange Beach. Our gated facility sits right on the shores of Orange Beach, allowing your family to stroll just steps to the sand where exclusive beach chair rentals await. If you get bored at the beach, the resort is also outfitted for family fun in the sun – you can relax and play in our luxurious outdoor pools, lounge in bliss as you float down a 450-foot lazy river, or take the kids for some pre-nap play at our on-site playground. We even offer complimentary kids’ activities!

It’s all carefully crafted for convenience, from our poolside bar and grill to our gulf-front cabanas to the Spectrum Club Lounge, where you’ll find complimentary breakfast and a gaming center perfect for rainy days or family game night.

Spring Break will be here before you know it, so book your trip to Turquoise Place in Orange Beach today!

Travel Tips for Flying to Orange Beach

Posted on by Eva Faircloth

I’m a land-locked beach lover stuck in Ohio – so every chance I get – I run to the airport and make the quick flight path to Pensacola, Florida. All to get to my favorite destination: Orange Beach, Alabama. Why? Because I’m two steps from the beach at my favorite spot – Turquoise Place!

Here are a few travel tips:

Turquoise Place in Orange Beach

Why Turquoise Place?

I’m currently planning my next trip – this time with my BFF – and we looked at other destinations – but I knew – I wanted to come back to Orange Beach and Turquoise Place!

Everything I love is in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! The food, the drinks, the fun – I have all my favorite places I can’t wait to go back to!

There’s always something new!

Every visit, I’ve found someplace new to visit! I discovered the Pink Pony Pub on my last visit – um – yes please! #beachdrinks

Outdoor Pools at Turquoise Place Orange Beach Alabama

Turquoise Place is perfection!

These condos are really a destination in themselves. The beach is right there. There are great places to eat, multiple indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river, gym, and more – plus the condos are incredible. The view – the hot tub – it’s just amazing! A quick trip to the grocery and you’re set for the week! And, if you use The Beach Moms exclusive concierge package for Spectrum Resorts guests, then you don’t even have to go to the store.

Another plus? If you do feel the need to venture out – you’re a quick Uber ride from all the best restaurants and attractions.

How do I Get to Orange Beach?

For me – It’s all about “de plane de plane!” I’m not a fan of driving more than 3-4 hours and, unfortunately, that will not get me to a beach! So, I fly! For me, it’s easiest to fly into Pensacola. They have a good selection of affordable flights and they’re always on-time (knock on wood). There’s no direct flights from Cincinnati – but other cities are lucky enough to have direct flights.

While I can’t go direct – it’s typically a quick layover and if I leave in the morning – I’m toes in the sand that afternoon! THAT is a vacation win!

How do I get around Orange Beach?

Rental Car
When I’m going on my own or like this upcoming BFF trip – I’ll rent a car. I have so many favorite restaurants and activities I want to do – a rental car makes it super easy. Plus – my BFF is flying in from Iowa – so we’re timing the flights so we can meet up in Pensacola and jump in the rental car together! GIRLS TRIP!

Uber
Other visits, I meet up with my friend that lives a few hours away – so she drives in. For those trips, I grab an Uber from the Pensacola International Airport to Turquoise Place. It’s a relaxing ride and I chat up with my driver to find a new place that is a must-stop place!

Plus, if you’re mainly just hanging at out at the resort you can always find an Uber to head to the fun can’t-miss adventures like the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo or one of the dolphin cruises.

All in all, traveling to Orange Beach by air is easy and Turquoise Place always helps me make sure that I have sand between my toes as quickly as possible! (Don’t forget to reserve those beach chairs!)

Heather Johnson

Heather Johnson is the voice behind Food Hussy, a food and travel blog since 2008. Heather shares about her travels, great eats and copycat recipes from the destinations she visits on her website. Follow Heather’s travels on her website and social media.

The Ultimate Spring Break in Orange Beach

Posted on by Eva Faircloth

Bid farewell to the short, gray days of winter and welcome the blue-sky days of spring with a family spring break in Orange Beach.

We know it can be hard to break away from work and everyday life, but this spring is the perfect time to trade work for play and soak up family time while you create new memories at Turquoise Place.

With that in mind, read on to discover our favorite Orange Beach, AL spring break activities.

Enjoy Family Fun Resort Activities

kid's activities at Turquoise Place

Spring break is a time to rest, relax and reconnect, not to run around hunting for things to keep the kids entertained. The activities team at Turquoise Place has a calendar filled with fun crafts, activities and family games for Spectrum Resorts guests.

Take your pick from making shark tooth necklaces, family movie nights, sand dollar painting and even cannonball contests. (Fast forward 15 years from now when the kids, now grown, recollect and laugh about Dad’s epic cannonball over Christmas dinner!)

Bonus Tip: Crafts and activities are complimentary for Spectrum Resorts guests. Just flash your SpectrumBand. Guests booking through other rental management companies pay a nominal fee, typically $5 to $10 depending on the craft.

Visit the Spectrum Club Lounge

Spectrum Club Lounge

Create a spring break vacation without the hassle and skip packing breakfast items for weekday stays. The Spectrum Club Lounge (re-opening March 9) offers a complimentary continental breakfast packed with muffins, bagels, fresh fruit, cereal, breakfast meats, and even a Belgium waffle maker. The kids will love making their own mini waffles! Dishes? It’s all taken care of so you can spend your time reconnecting with your family instead of washing plates and glasses. Breakfast is served Monday to Friday, 7 to 10 a.m.

The Spectrum Club Lounge is a great place to sit back and relax, especially on a rainy beach day. Teens and tweens will love the video gaming area. Or, challenge Dad to a friendly game of pool or ping pong. There are also a variety of board games and spacious tables available to spread out and dominate! (Who says you have to let the kids win?)

Bonus Tip: A special area is designated for toddlers and smaller children with curated activities from 7 to 10 a.m., daily. The Lounge is exclusive for Spectrum Resorts guests. Use your SpectrumBand for entry.

Make a Splash at the Pool

an orange beach al spring break includes time spent at the beach

Spring break is all about fun in the sun and creating happy memories. Make a splash in any of five pools, plus the lazy river. At Turquoise Place, you’ll find a heated indoor pool in both towers. There are three outdoor pools, including a kiddie pool. The lazy river is located on the fourth floor of the west tower. The main outdoor pool is the perfect spot for listening to live music, sipping a craft cocktail and ordering up family friendly fare at the Change of Pace Bar & Grill.

Rent a poolside cabana or beach chair and umbrella

When you’re ready to really relax, rent a poolside cabana. Each cabana comes equipped with outdoor patio furniture and an air-conditioned room with comfortable furniture, television, mini fridge, ice maker, blender, sink, and bathroom. Make a cabana your family’s central location to gather for family snacks, lunches, and conversation.

When you just can’t make yourself pack one more thing, go ahead and leave the beach chairs at home. Remembering your camera is far more important. Instead, let the beach services crew take care of you and your family with beach chair and umbrella rentals. Then, let the memory making begin!

Kayak, surf, and paddleboard in the Gulf

Perdido Beach Services offers a variety of onsite watersports for the entire family. Kayaks, standup paddle boards and surfboards are available for rent right on the beach! You can also take a ride on a Hobie Cat, an experience few get to take during spring break in Orange Beach.

Bonus Tip: Poolside cabanas are exclusively for Spectrum Resorts guests and availability is limited. We recommend making your cabana rental reservation prior to your arrival at Turquoise Place.

Dine on the freshest seafood around

The Alabama Gulf coast is known for its delicious, fresh seafood offerings, and tons of options for even the pickiest eaters. Visit The Hangout in Gulf Shores for a wide variety of delectable bites like burgers, crab cakes, po’ boys, shrimp tacos, signature drinks, and much more! Lulu’s Gulf Shores includes tons of great options, including salads, sandwiches, bites for the kids, and allergy safe menus. Or visit Coast Restaurant & Sushi Bar at The Beach Club for fresh seafood, sushi, and amazing views of the Gulf.

Shopping and entertainment at The Wharf

There’s always something going on at The Wharf in Orange Beach. From live music to boutique shopping and rides on the Ferris wheel, The Wharf is a destination spot for Orange Beach, AL spring break visitors, and locals alike. Take the family to The Wharf Marina for a dolphin tour, cruise, or a private charter to experience some of the Gulf Coast’s wildlife. Catch a movie, play putt-putt, or enjoy shopping, there’s so much to do at The Wharf!

Enjoy a spring day at the park

Orange Beach Waterfront Park is the total package, with a lighted kids playground with slides and swings, sheltered picnic areas with grills and restrooms, and a 400-foot fishing pier with covered pavilions and seating, all in a waterfront setting overlooking Wolf Bay. Plan a picnic and create a home-style meal while the kids play in the park, or grab your fishing gear and cast a line in Wolf Bay. This is a perfect way to enjoy the day with the family in Orange Beach.

Your family deserves the best, and our team is on-site to ensure the only thing you have to think about this spring break is reconnecting with your family and creating lifelong memories.

We know life is hectic, and we want you to focus on what’s most important…your family. Spectrum Resorts is here to make sure you’re the hero of your family’s vacation.

Browse our Orange Beach Resort Accommodations here

Tips for Planning Your Summer Vacation

Posted on by Eva Faircloth

Your summer vacation is supposed to be filled with quality time and relaxing family fun. Don’t let the planning process create unnecessary hassle and stress associated with trying to plan the perfect vacation.  Ensure a hassle-free planning process by following these few easy tips.

Read reviews

Reviews by real guests provide valuable insight that some self-promoting websites do not offer. Getting the facts, straight from the source, without any marketing or promotions helps to paint a real picture. Many websites such as Facebook, Google & TripAdvisor have business reviews and are definitely worth taking the time to read before making the initial investment of a summer vacation.

Ask your friends

Check with your friends, and even their friends, on recommendations for popular vacation destinations. A simple social media post can sometimes produce a lot more information than hours of research. Friends help friends and they can potentially offer real, honest advice on personal experiences.

Download travel apps

Apps make it really easy to access current and accurate information from booking to local attractions. From driving to flying and from restaurants to rest areas, make sure you have everything you need at your fingertips. Even if you are looking for off-the-beaten-path attractions, you can find them with ease of a travel app.

Book with onsite management companies

Don’t chance the happiness of your vacation with not knowing what you are getting. Pictures can be deceiving and hidden charges can sometimes create problems with your vacation budget. Onsite vacation management companies can alleviate any unnecessary stress by providing services with the convenience of being on property and they typically offer the best rate guaranteed as well.

Visit Welcome Centers

Most employees of welcome centers are area experts and can offer valuable information on summer vacation ideas. We recommend calling, or visiting area websites, to see if they offer vacation guides like Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. Welcome Centers want you to visit their area so they are more than willing to share valuable information.

Read, request and review before planning your next summer vacation. By researching and requesting information, you could potentially save time and money and alleviate any unwanted stress. If you have valuable planning information and you would like to share with our readers, please leave it in the comments below and we may include your recommendation in one of our future blogs.

Five Reasons to Book Your Vacation Early

Posted on by Jillian Pierce

Seriously, stop reading this blog immediately and go ahead and book your vacation.  Ok, maybe not right this second, but definitely soon.  Why would you wait?  There are several advantages for the planners that book their vacation months in advance rather than waiting until the last minute.

  • You’ll Have More Available Rentals to Choose from

You don’t want to end up in a condo that hasn’t been updated since shag carpet and fake plants were all the rage.  The best condos fill up fast.  You’ll have much better luck finding a room that’s been updated with modern décor and technology (I’m talking flat screen TVs and Blu-ray players instead of box TVs and VCRs) if you’re doing your research in January instead of June.

  • You’ll Save Money

It’s simple supply and demand.  As more and more reservations come in, vacation rental companies increase the price on their remaining inventory.  That means the longer you wait to book your vacation, the more money you’ll end up paying.  Make your reservation earlier in the year to lock in the lower prices before they start to go up.

  • You Won’t Have to Put Down a Huge Deposit

So this varies by rental company, but generally speaking if you book your reservation more than a month in advance you’ll pay a smaller deposit that you would if you book at the last minute.  Most rental companies require a 50% deposit for reservations booked more than a month in advance and full payment for reservations made within a month of the arrival date.  Some companies even let you book with $0 down if you’re booking far enough in advance. For example, Spectrum guests are not required to pay anything until 30 days from their booking date. So you can lock in a great rental at a low rate and not even have to spend a penny to do it!

  • You’ll Have More Time to Plan Your Trip

Booking early allows you to better plan your vacation.  Once you know where you’re going to stay, you can search the amenities in the area for you and your family to enjoy while on vacation.  It also gives you more time to coordinate with friends and family members that may want to come along on the trip too.  You could even look at bunking up and staying in a larger condo (there are four and even five bedroom options available) to split the cost and save some money.

  • You’ll Have a Vacation to Look Forward to

Wouldn’t you rather take your time and plan out your vacation or be stressed and scrambling to book something last minute?  Think about it, you could have everything planned and reserved before winter is even over and you’ll have a vacation to look forward too.  It’s much less stressful than waiting until June to try and pull a summer vacation together.