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Are you looking for hotels near Gulf State Park or a place to stay in Alabama’s beaches? I’ve got you covered!

You should check out The Lodge in Gulf State Park. This gulf-front Hilton Hotel is my number one pick for lodging in Gulf Shores!

The original lodge opened in 1974 but was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The new Lodge was then rebuilt to take up less space but offer more rooms in a more sustainable design. The new design is epic, with so many thoughtful features.

I stayed here in February 2024 while attending a conference, and it has been one of my favorite hotels ever! Keep reading to see why I loved this hotel so much.

#1 Pick
The image shows a building The Lodge hotel at Gulf State Park during sunset. The sun shines brightly over the structure, casting lens flares, while in the foreground, an edible garden with a variety of green plants and herbs is neatly arranged along concrete pathways. In the background, a boardwalk extends toward the ocean, where beach umbrellas are visible by the water. The lower right corner includes a logo for "Adventures Abound."

The Lodge Overview

1. Rooms with a view of the beach or Lake Shelby
2. Sustainable practices that will leave you feeling good about your vacation
3. Incredible amenities including valet parking, bag porters, pool, fire pit, and direct beach access
4. Easy access to pristine white-sand beaches and Gulf State Park’s miles of trails

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My favorite features at The Lodge

The image shows a well-lit hotel room at The Lodge at Gulf State Park. The room features a king-sized bed with white linens, a small seating area with a dark chair and a yellow cushion, and a round side table. A sliding glass door opens to a balcony with ocean views, letting in natural light through sheer curtains. Luggage and bags are placed near a table, and a framed art piece with colorful sunglasses decorates the wall. The "Adventures Abound" logo is visible in the bottom right corner.

The Lodge Guest Rooms

I stayed in a room with a king bed and a private balcony facing the Gulf Coast. Rooms on the second and third floors have a partially obscured view from the wooden panels but it was still lovely, especially during sunrise and sunset.

Rooms are a tad smaller than other hotels I have stayed in, but with so much to do in the area I didn’t spend much time hanging out in mine!

There are king and double queen options, as well as rooms with bunk beds, suites, and accessible rooms. See available options here.

The image captures a beautiful sunset view of the Gulf of Mexico from a framed balcony perspective. The beach and ocean stretch across the horizon, with soft pastel hues in the sky. Below, lounge chairs and umbrellas are set up on a patio near the sandy shore, and a metal-roofed building is visible to the right. Dunes and sea grass border the beach, adding to the coastal atmosphere. The "Adventures Abound" logo is seen in the lower right corner.

While the rooms do come with air-conditioner, it shuts off automatically when the balcony door opens to conserve energy. I enjoyed laying in bed with the balcony door open listening to the waves and smelling the salt air at night.

All rooms at The Lodge come with standard amenities: coffee maker, iron and ironing board, small fridge, 50-inch TV, hair dryer, and a safe. There is a dresser, wardrobe, and a few small tables and chairs around the room. There are also two Adirondack chairs on the balcony.

The bathroom has a shower with bulk BeeKind eco-friendly shampoo, conditioner, and body wash available. There is also recyclable aluminum bottled water for purchase in the room.

🤩 Check room rates and availability

The image shows a sustainable rainwater chain hanging from the roof of a modern building at The Lodge in Gulf State Park. The chain leads down into a circular stone basin, surrounded by native grasses and plants, emphasizing eco-friendly design. This system allows rainwater to be absorbed by the wetland ecocystem on the property. A wooden walkway and building with large windows are visible in the background under a clear blue sky
a close-up of a hand letting fine, white sand trickle through its fingers at sunset. The golden light highlights the grains of sand against the soft, rippled surface of the beach. The Lodge hotel in the background is slightly out of focus but glowing bright in the golden hour

Sustainable Practices

The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is a LEED Gold-certified building designed to be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

While rebuilding The Lodge after the hurricane, sustainable building practices were used, with 20% of materials recycled and over 70% of construction waste diverted from landfills.

The Lodge uses centuries-old, naturally preserved cypress wood, originally lost in rivers during the 1800s logging boom, as a sustainable building material to protect and beautify its structures while aiding environmental conservation.

The hotel even operates with eco-friendly practices to this day, reducing energy use by 32%. They also use a process in the HVAC system that conserves 1.85 million gallons of water by diverting condensation into the pool onsite!

The Lodge also supports local Alabama craftsmanship, using locally made, recycled, and reclaimed materials for furniture and tile.

an outdoor area at The Lodge at Gulf State Park during sunset, featuring a modern, sustainable design. Wooden benches and raised garden beds filled with greenery and flowers line the pathway, leading toward a building with sleek, slatted architecture. In the background, a boardwalk extends towards the beach and ocean, with a couple of beach umbrellas visible. The sun casts golden rays over the scene, creating lens flares.

Built to FORTIFIED standards to withstand storms and a certified SITE, the Lodge uses rainwater collection, bio gardens, and permeable parking lots that absorb stormwater, replenishing the local freshwater aquifer.

The landscaping supports native wildlife like the endangered Alabama Beach Mice and requires no irrigation, pesticides, or fertilizers, promoting a resilient, natural environment.

The lights on The Lodge all face away from the beach to protect sea turtle nesting habitats. There is a display in the lobby that shows how sea turtles hatch and climb up the sand, and an entire wall modeled after sea turtle tracks on the sand.

Connected to Gulf State Park’s trail network, it offers visitors a sustainable way to explore the area on foot or bike. There is even a tram that leaves from the lobby daily to key points in the park.

Additionally, the Interpretive Center nearby is Alabama’s most environmentally friendly building.

All of that to say, the effort to be sustainable and eco-friendly goes above and beyond!

♻️ See options to stay at The Lodge ♻️

The image shows a scenic view of a beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama, under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, tall golden beach grasses grow behind a wooden fence, leading toward sand dunes that stretch along the coastline. A boardwalk with a small covered platform extends toward the ocean, which appears calm and blue in the background

Ideal Location

The Lodge at Gulf State Park offers a perfect blend of nature and convenience, located right within Gulf Shores State Park and just steps from the beautiful beachfront.

Guests have access to several piers that lead straight to the beach from The Lodge. There is also a wheelchair-accessible ramp that leads right onto the sugar-soft white sands along the beach. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for guests to rent.

Visitors can easily explore the state park’s natural beauty with access to a tram that runs through the park and a pedestrian bridge that leads directly to it. The park offers kayak and canoe rentals to enjoy the lake, but also has over 27 miles of trails with fishing, bird-watching, and hiking opportunities.

If you are feeling less outdoorsy, the hotel is only a short drive to the restaurants and attractions in town, making it easy to enjoy the best of Gulf Shores.

Whether you’re here for a peaceful nature retreat or to enjoy the lively beach scene, The Lodge offers a unique spot to experience both in one place.

🤩 Check Prices and Availability at The Lodge!

The image shows an outdoor fire pit area at a Gulf Shores hotel, featuring white Adirondack-style chairs arranged in a circle around a modern, rectangular fire pit with glass sides. The fire is lit, with flames dancing over black stones. In the background, the beach and ocean are visible, with dune grasses leading down to the shore. A wooden pier can be seen in the distance.

Amenities at The Lodge in Gulf State Park

  • Beachfront Infinity Pool
  • Lounge chairs, Adirondack chairs, hammocks, and towels available poolside
  • 2 onsite restaurants, plus a coffee/wine bar, and seasonal poolside bar
  • Valet parking, with self-park option available
  • Bag porters
  • Private balcony on gulf side, or lake views
  • Public balconies on every floor with multiple seating options
  • Beekind bath amenities in your room
  • Gym with cardio machines and weights
  • Complimentary bike share up to 3 hours
  • Direct beach access, including accessible ramps
  • Beach chair and umbrella rentals available
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Pedestrian bridge directly accessing Gulf State Park
  • Two onsite shops with necessities, local goodies, and fun souvenirs

🌊 Book your stay at The Lodge 🌊

An aerial view of a swimming pool area at a Gulf Shores hotel, overlooking a pristine beach and the Gulf of Mexico. Lounge chairs with closed umbrellas line the pool deck, which is adjacent to a natural landscape of dunes and sea grass. In the distance, a long pier extends out into the ocean. The beach stretches along the horizon, with calm blue water under a clear sky.

Any negatives?

As a budget traveler, I was surprised to learn that parking is only available for a fee, but appreciate that the parking lot is built to allow rainwater to filter back into the ground. Valet parking could be convenient and is nicely shaded in a garage, though the walk to the parking lot isn’t too far and you can leave your car in front of the hotel while you unload.

With three buildings, the rooms can be a bit of a walk from the lobby, but bag porters are also available to help you with luggage carts.

They can even bring items to your room while you are off attending to something else which came in handy as I arrived late for a conference. The porters will also help bring your bags to the lobby while you fetch your car.

Other than these logistics I really can’t say much about the hotel as far as negatives go. I really enjoyed my experience!

The entrance to The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel. The exterior features natural wood accents with slatted designs and a covered walkway leading to the main doors. A large wooden sign in the foreground displays the hotel's name and logo, which includes the image of a bird and leaves, along with the text "The Lodge, Est 1974, At Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel."

Good to know

  • While service animals are allowed, pets are not permitted to stay at The Lodge.
  • Check-in time is 4 pm and check-out is at 11 am
  • Parking is available on-site for $12 per day and can be paid with your reservation at the front desk. Valet is also available for $22 and is in a covered garage.
  • Smoking is not permitted at The Lodge.
  • Hilton Honors members are awarded points for their stay at The Lodge, and some Gold and Diamond members receive additional perks like dining credits.

Gulf State Park Lodging Alternatives

There are a few other options for accommodations in Gulf State Park, but none of them are beach-front besides The Lodge.

The park offers several cabin options available to rent that are more suited to families or group travel including the Lakeside and Woodside Cabins, and the Eagle Cottages.

There is also a campground with nearly 500 RV hookup spots and 8 primative tent-only camping spots.

The image shows a peaceful lake scene at Gulf State Park, Alabama, with colorful kayaks stacked near the shore under a bare tree. Across the lake, houses are visible along the distant treeline. The calm water reflects the clear blue sky, and a cluster of wooden posts stands in the water, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.

More about Gulf State Park

The park boasts 6,150 acres of protected wetlands, sand dunes, lakes, and wildlife. It has 13 freshwater lakes spanning 900 acres, and reaches the salty shores of the Gulf of Mexico.

There are about 28 miles of trails including a boardwalk above the wetlands, many of them paved, where you can enjoy birding, fishing, and hiking among the oaks, pines, and other wildlife. Among them are hundreds of species including carnivorous plants!

Visitors can rent bikes, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, banana boats, and even segways to enjoy the park in whichever way suits them.

Don’t miss special features in the park like Nature Center, Education Pier, and Interpretive Center. Click here to see a map of the park.

View of interior of a hotel lobby at The Lodge, featuring high ceilings with exposed wooden beams. The seating area includes a variety of chairs and couches in neutral and blue tones, arranged around low tables, creating a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. A long wooden communal table with stools is also visible, along with modern décor, large windows, and warm lighting. In the background, a small retail section can be seen beside the main check-in desk which sits behind a wall of spaced wooden slats.

FAQs About The Lodge

When was The Lodge in Gulf State Park built?

The original hotel opened in 1974 but was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The new Lodge was then rebuilt and opened in 2018.

Is The Lodge at Gulf State Park pet-friendly?

While service animals are allowed, pets are not permitted to stay at The Lodge.

Does The Lodge have free breakfast?

Guests have the option to include breakfast with their stay at the time of booking or pay at the restaurant. There is a daily breakfast buffet and a-la-carte option at on-site restaurant Foodcraft, as well as a coffee shop in the lobby.
Hilton Honors members with Gold or Diamond status receive a $30 daily food credit that can be used towards breakfast or at any of the 3 restaurants on the property.

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

Final Thoughts: Is The Lodge at Gulf State Park Worth It?

The Lodge in Gulf Shores offers the perfect blend of eco-conscious luxury and outdoor adventure, making it a great option for travelers who value both sustainability and budget-friendly experiences.

Whether you’re lounging by the beach, exploring nearby nature trails, or appreciating the hotel’s impressive commitment to environmental practices, this stay promises to leave you refreshed and inspired. So, if you’re looking for an affordable getaway without sacrificing your green values, The Lodge should definitely be on your list.

If you enjoyed this review and want more insider tips on budget-friendly, sustainable travel destinations, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter! Be the first to know about hidden gems, exclusive travel deals, and upcoming blog posts that will help you plan your next adventure.

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The image is a Pinterest-style pin promoting an eco-friendly hotel review of "The Lodge" in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It features a beach scene with sand dunes, sea grass, and a wooden boardwalk leading toward the ocean under a clear blue sky. Overlaid text reads: "Eco-Friendly Hotel Review," "The Lodge," and "Gulf Shores, AL." At the bottom, the website URL "theadventuresabound.com" is displayed.
Gulf Shores Pin 14

Michele is the writer and creative behind Adventures Abound - a travel blog bringing outdoor adventures, sustainable travel, and cultural appreciation to readers with limited time but eager to explore. She uses dynamic writing and beautiful photography to inspire adventure in the everyday.

Michele is a South Carolinian living in Philadelphia and an adventure enthusiast. She travels throughout the Americas with her Costa Rican husband Diego, when she’s not home snuggling her two kitties Willow and Callie. You can catch her hiking the landscape, scoping out used bookshops, and snapping pics of tiny mushrooms wherever she goes.