It's summer! The official season of beach vacations and lazy pool days full of carefree joy. One of my favorite places to visit in the summer is the Gulf Coast. With its beautiful white sand and a watercolor palette of ever-changing greens and blues, this coastline boasts a mesmerizing landscape that captivates the senses. My husband and I were so excited to visit the shoreline of Alabama for the first time, and we were even more thrilled to stay in one of the new Casitas at Beach Village Resort for 3 nights. If you're looking for the perfect family vacation spot, this is the place for you!
In this blog post, I will be giving you all the details about staying at Beach Village Resort along with things to do around the area. Make sure to scroll to the bottom and check out my 3-day itinerary outline which is perfect for a long weekend or you can incorporate it into a longer stay!
I would like to thank the Beach Village Resort for hosting my stay, as always opinions are my own.
The Casitas at Beach Village Resort
Beach Village Resort is nestled along the sugary white sands of Orange Beach and amidst the natural beauty of Gulf State Park. This gated community stands out because it has charming Coastal Casitas to stay in. Each luxurious Casita has 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a fully equipped kitchen. They can sleep up to 6-10 people, depending on the rental. My husband and I stayed in the "Under the Umbrella" Casita.
Before checking in, we stopped at Publix since it was on our way there (it's about a 7-minute drive from the resort) to grab some groceries and snacks. I love staying at places that have kitchens so we can make some of our meals and save money. When we drove up to our Casita, I appreciated how convenient it was to have our own driveway (you are allowed to park up to two vehicles here). This made it so easy to bring all of our luggage inside.
My first impression as I walked through the door was how open and airy it felt. The tall ceilings give it so much character, along with the thoughtful coastal decor. The kitchen has a large island with chairs plus there is a dining room table with additional seating. We found all of the essentials in the kitchen including:
Large and durable appliances that include a dishwasher, oven, stove, and a double-door fridge.
Ice maker in the freezer.
Plenty of coffee mugs, cups, and plates.
Cookware.
Cutlery.
A coffee maker that can use coffee pods or a regular coffee filter.
In the living room, you'll find plenty of comfortable seating to gather around. If you're in the mood for a movie night, the large TV has streaming apps but you will need to use your own login.
There's a strategically placed twin-sized bunk bed behind a set of folding doors in the living area. My husband that's 6'1" was able to lie comfortably in one. I also noticed that each bunk bed has an outlet next to it in the wall and a little shelf. You'll also find the half bath on the first floor.
The front deck is equipped with a private outdoor shower. It's such a convenient thing to have and allowed us to rinse off all the sand before entering the house. There are also hooks inside the shower to hang your towels to dry.
The covered deck in the back looks over a picturesque marshy area and private boardwalk. I love that there's a ceiling fan to give you a little breeze. I enjoyed sitting out here in the mornings with my coffee and on our last night I sat outside and watched the rain.
There are 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a washer/dryer upstairs. The master bedroom has a king-size bed and en suite bathroom. The 2nd bedroom has a queen bunk bed and an attached bathroom. There's plenty of closet space and dressers to store your belongings. The bed was so comfortable and reminded me of our bed at home so I had no trouble sleeping. The benefit of having a private Casita is how quiet they are.
Property Amenities
The pool at the resort takes center stage, surrounded by swaying palm trees and tropical vibes that instantly whisk you away to a mini paradise. It's like stepping into a fun-filled oasis where the good times never stop. The pool has a beach entry, splash pad, waterslide, a lazy river, and is temperature-controlled. Do I need to say more? If I haven't convinced you to stay here yet, I forgot to mention there are cabanas! The cozy cabanas lining the pool's edges provide the perfect spot to relax and soak up the atmosphere. Some cabanas come with the rental and some are available to rent, depending on what Casita you're staying in.
My husband and I enjoyed our pool days here. We couldn't get enough of floating around on the lazy river. If you were wondering, they do provide inner tubes for guests which is a bonus! I even went down the waterslide, which is something I haven't tried in years. On our last night there, the resort had a movie night. It was so nice to lounge outside next to the pool as the sun went down and watch Finding Nemo. Make sure to follow them on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date on special events.
One of the aspects I love about Beach Village Resort is its exclusive private boardwalk which guides you straight to the incredible expanse of the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. This trail system is part of the Gulf State Park and is a 28-mile stretch of paved pathways with 9 distinct ecosystems. We rode bikes through here and saw so much wildlife including a plethora of different birds and even an alligator napping in the water. If you love the outdoors and nature, this should be on your list.
Things to Do
Beach Access
It's only a short 4-minute walk from the main gate to get to the beach using the signaled crosswalk. We enjoyed visiting the beach here. The water was so clear and calm. The sand was some of the softest sand I've ever felt! Here's a list of more public beaches in the area that you can visit.
Bike Rentals
4 Market St, Orange Beach, AL 36561
The best way to explore the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is by bike. Beach Bike Rentals can deliver bikes to your vacation rental and pick them up when you check out. They have options for a variety of different types of bikes, accessories, and time frames for rentals. All of their bike rentals include a helmet, basket, bell, and locks at no additional cost. The cruisers that we got were in great shape.
Cruisin' Tikis Orange Beach
26619 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Looking for something different and fun to do? Cruisin' Tikis is a tiki boat that offers bay, sunset, or island excursion cruises. We went on the 3-hour island excursion; the tiki boat anchors at Bird Island where you can get off and swim or explore the beach. It's BYOB and they provide a cooler, ice, cups/shot glasses, bottle openers, and bottled water. The captain was so much fun and we loved meeting other vacationers that were on our boat (the tiki boats hold up to 6 people).
Dolphin Cruise
3900 Bayou Rd Orange Beach, AL 36561
We didn't do a dolphin cruise this time around but if you're looking for more of a family-friendly activity, The Fun Boat is the highest-rated Dolphin Cruise in Orange Beach.
Wildflowers Boutique
25910 Canal Rd Suite M Orange Beach, AL 36561
This boutique is so cute and has a great selection of women's clothing, accessories, and gifts. I found the cutest beach hat here!
The Wharf
23101 Canal RoadOrange Beach, AL 36561
A great place to visit for entertainment, shopping, and dining. We went in the evening and saw a laser light show outside on the main strip. It used choreographic lighting effects with music. You'll also find one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the southeast here too!
Places to Eat
The Southern Grind Coffee House
2 locations: 4751 Main St #116 Orange Beach, AL 36561 &
22843 Perdido Beach Blvd. Orange, Beach AL 36561
This best coffee shop in Orange Beach! It's decorated with the cutest beach decor and has an amazing gift shop. You'll find coffee, espresso drinks, sandwiches, paninis, cheeseburgers, salads, and gelato on the menu. I loved the Honey Bee Latte here!
High Tide Daiquiris & Mimosas
2 locations OB: 24823 Commercial Avenue Orange Beach, AL 36561 & 807 Gulf Shores Parkway Gulf Shores, AL 36542
This is such a fun and unique place to visit. They have daiquiris and mimosa flights! We went to the one located in Gulf Shores which has an outdoor area with swings and adorable duck pedal boats you can rent! They also offer sandwiches and charcuterie boards.
Cobalt, The Restaurant
28099 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
The restaurant has contemporary coastal cuisine and some of the best views of the bay. The outside seating is such a beautiful setting. They are open daily for lunch and dinner. I highly recommend trying the Bushwacker (a frozen cocktail) from here topped with peanut butter whiskey! So good!
CoastAL
25722 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
CoastAL is the only beachfront restaurant in Orange Beach and has amazing views of the Gulf! We sat outside at the CoastAL Beach Bar and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere (note that the beach bar and restaurant have separate menus). We loved the pimento cheese appetizer from here!
The Gulf
27500 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
The Gulf is an outdoor restaurant that is made out of old shipping containers. You'll find shaded outdoor seating, views of the bay, and a full bar here. It serves seafood and American fare.
Pete's Ice Cream and Donuts
8 Market St. Orange Beach, AL 36561
This ice cream shop is adorable and is within walking distance from Beach Village Resort. We loved the coconut cream ice cream and Oreo mint! It's one of the top-rated ice cream spots in Orange Beach. They also have donuts!
3-Day Orange Beach Itinerary
This itinerary was made to give you some guidance and ideas for your trip. Feel free to use it however you want!
Day 1-
Afternoon/Evening:
- Before arrival at the Beach Village Resort you will be provided the door and gate code to your property. I recommend stopping at Publix for all of your grocery needs!
- Arrive in Orange Beach, Alabama, and check into the Beach Village Resort (check-in is at 4 pm).
- Walk around and get accustomed to the surroundings at Beach Village Resort and relax by the pool.
- Have dinner at the beachfront restaurant, CoastAL.
- Enjoy ice cream for dessert from Pete's Ice Cream and Donuts.
Day 2:
Morning:
- Start your day with breakfast and coffee at the Southern Grind Coffee House
- Explore the Backcountry Trails by bike (get all your bike rental needs at Beach Bike Rentals), a network of scenic hiking and biking trails within Gulf State Park. The boardwalk at the Beach Village Resort leads to this!
Afternoon:
- Have lunch at the Gulf- an outdoor restaurant that is made out of old shipping containers. You'll find shaded outdoor seating and views of the Bay here plus a full bar.
- Enjoy a beach day! It's only a 4-minute walk to the beach using the crosswalk from Beach Village Resort.
Evening:
- Enjoy an early dinner at a waterfront restaurant and local favorite- Cobalt, the Restaurant.
- End your day with a dolphin sunset cruise with The Fun Boat Dolphin Cruises.
Day 3:
Morning:
-Cook breakfast inside your rental and enjoy coffee with views on the back deck!
- Another option is brunch at High Tide Daiquiaris and Mimosas. You can grab a flight of mimosas or specialty cocktails.
Afternoon:
-Have a beachfront lunch at The Hangout, a lively restaurant with a fun atmosphere and live music.
- Go on a Cruisin' Tikis Cruise that takes you around the bay and anchors at Bird Island!
- If you're looking for something more family-friendly check out Visit Adventure Island. You'll find go-karts, mini-golf, bumper boats, and an arcade.
Evening:
- Enjoy a seafood dinner at Fisher's Upstairs located at the Orange Beach Marina
- Explore the Wharf, a great place to visit for entertainment, shopping, and dining. Ride on the Ferris wheel and catch a laser light show when the sun goes down.