A day on Alabama’s beaches often means more than just sand and sunshine. Along the shores of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, a number of resorts and hotels have partnered with local outfitters to offer guests easy access to beach gear and watersports rentals, from chairs and umbrellas to jet skis, kayaks and pontoon boats. For visitors who would rather not haul their own equipment to the coast, staying at one of these properties can make it far easier to get out on the water or set up shop on the sand.
Resorts With Beach Rentals and Watersports
Several beachfront and bayfront resorts in the area combine full-service amenities like pools and dining with on-site or nearby rental options for both relaxing and more adventurous beach days.
Beach Club Resort & Spa
Beach Club Resort & Spa is a full-service resort geared toward families, with direct beach access and on-site rentals for beach chairs and umbrellas. Guests looking for more excitement can also arrange watersports through Top Tier Watersports, which offers banana boat rides, jet skis and paddleboards at the resort.
Perdido Beach Resort
Perdido Beach Resort is a beachfront property offering five dining options along with indoor and outdoor pools. The resort provides beach gear rentals as well as water rentals such as paddleboards, kayaks and pontoon boats. Guests can also book parasailing trips, cruises and charter boat excursions directly through the resort’s local partners.
Caribe Resort
Sitting on the bay, Caribe Resort is a family-friendly, condo-style property with its own private marina, giving guests direct access to the area’s waterways and nearby islands. The marina offers jet ski, kayak and pontoon boat rentals, along with dolphin cruises and fishing charters that depart on-site. Guests can also cool off in one of the resort’s several pools or float along its lazy river.
Hotels Offering Beach Chair and Umbrella Rentals
For travelers whose ideal beach day is centered on relaxing by the water rather than renting a jet ski, several beachfront hotels in the area make it simple to set up with a rented chair and umbrella rather than packing or buying gear.
Hilton Garden Inn Orange Beach
This beachfront hotel offers chair and umbrella rentals set up directly in front of the property by Perdido Beach Services, so guests can walk straight from their room to a ready beach setup. The hotel doesn’t run its own watersports program, but guests can reach local vendors offering paddleboards and jet skis just down the beach.
Phoenix All Suites Hotel
Located within walking distance of shops, restaurants and attractions in the heart of Gulf Shores, Phoenix All Suites Hotel works with Ike’s Beach Service to offer beach chair and umbrella rentals for guests. The hotel is also close to Gulf Place, the Gulf Shores public beach, where visitors can find watersports vendors offering banana boat rides and parasailing.
The Tides, Best Western Premier
The Tides sits just steps from the Gulf and features a beachfront pool, two bars and easy beach access. Guests can rent beach chairs and umbrellas through Perdido Beach Services, which sets up gear directly in front of the hotel, and can take in Gulf-facing views from the hotel’s lobby even when they’re not out on the sand.
Planning a Beach Trip With Rentals in Mind
Choosing a hotel or resort with on-site or nearby rentals can simplify a beach trip considerably, since visitors don’t have to pack, haul or purchase their own gear. Many of these properties partner directly with local rental companies, putting everything from beach chairs to jet skis just steps from the room.
Travelers who book a stay without built-in rental partnerships aren’t left without options, either. Beach chairs, umbrellas, wheelchairs and other beach equipment are also available from local outfitters throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach who will deliver gear directly to the beach. Between Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan, the stretch of coastline offers a range of lodging styles for visitors who want their vacation rental, resort or hotel stay to come with easy access to the water.