OT: Hotel advice in Gulf Shores (or the MS coast?) for me and the Mrs.

(I will move this to the BS forum shortly, guys...just wanted to make sure people knew it existed)

So I'm looking to take a long weekend at the end of May to Gulf Shores or somewhere like that with my wife. We are mainly looking for a place that is on the beach so we can catch some sun and have some drinks....something close to shopping so we can do that one day for my wife.....maybe near a golf course so we can do that one day for me (any par 3 courses?). Mainly just a long weekend getaway to spend some time together away from beautiful Central MS*.

Anybody got any good suggestions? It doesnt need to be super luxurious.....I'm looking for something middle of the road. Id be fine with a vrbo rental if anybody has had any luck in that area.

I'm more familar with the Destin area, but I remember trips when i was younger to Gulf Shores that were fun.
That being said, would it be worth going to the MS Gulf Coast for a long weekend? Its been a while since ive been down there, and i have no idea if there are decent beaches, hotels, etc. I know there are casinos, but i dont want to stay in a casino for this trip. Any of you coasties have any suggestions or advice on whether it would be worth coming down there instead of Gulf Shores?

Thanks in advance guys.

I would go to Orange Beach. Good hotel is the Hampton Inn on the Beach.

I stayed in Hampton Inn last year, was well pleased.
Last summer there was a long thread on SPS about what to eat/do in ob/gs, it was very helpful.
Personally, Orange Beach appealed to me a lot more than Gulf Shores.

Sanibel Condos, Gulf Shores. It's away from the crowds and close to a bay inlet that is neat to explore.

I'm heading down May 31 for the ten year anniversary on June 3rd. We always stay at the condo my wife's aunt has so no lodging insight, but I will give dining advice. Go to King Neptunes in Gulf Shores. It's on the west side of the main drag heading south to the beach. Looks like a small hole in the wall converted diner but has incredible food. Order the gumbo and you'll name your next child after me. Order the fried cheesecake and you'll let me make the child. Go early or late to avoid a long wait.

That Hampton Inn is very nice. Stayed there just after it opened 3 or 4 years ago.

Check out Perdido Beach Resort ,just remodel parts of it.

Orange Beach is better than Gulf Shores, Gulf shores is more touristy and geared toward the chillens. The best restaurants are in Orange Beach also, Doc's for fried shrimp or oysters, Cosmo's for the banana leaf wrapped Chilean sea bass, and Shipps Harbour Grill for the Bens Blackened Tuna. All three are on Canal Rd, you can thank me later. The Tiki Bar at Sportsmans Marina has a heck of a cheeseburger too, and you cant beat the view.

Couple of thoughts: If going to the beach just means sitting on the beach and having some drinks, then you are fine with either Destin, Gulf Shores, or MS Gulf Coast. If going to the beach means you want to get in the water, Destin water is much clearer and I'd do that.

For shopping, Gulf Shores shopping I guess means the Foley outlets, which can be a hike depending on where you are staying. Destin and the MS gulf coast have outlet shopping that is more accessible. Destin's are a little higher end. Not sure what they offer for women, but for example, MS gulf coast has polo, nike, josabanks, BCBG etc. Destin has all that plus things like brooks brothers and I think a Sak's outlet.

For golf, Destin will have a nice course or two close to where you are staying. They'll probably be on the pricier end depending on what time of year and day you're trying to play. Gulf Shores has some good courses but all the ones I know about are out toward Fort Morgan or Craft farms. All can be a little drive depending on where you're staying. MS Gulf Coast will have the best golf at the cheapest price b/c of the casino courses, but all the nicest courses are a little bit of a drive.

If it were me, I'd do Destin or the MS Gulf Coast. If you're worried about swimming in the ocean, Destin is really the best answer. If you're fine with just sitting at the beach and using a pool for swimming, MS Gulf coast is a pretty good option. Lodging will be cheaper and you'll have better food options at a cheaper price. Gulf Shores is perfectly fine, it just falls in no man's land for me. Destin's water is so much nicer it's worth the extra drive, and I've had better luck with food in Destin. The one place near Gulf Shores I like is out towards Fort Morgan. You can stay in places out there and feel like you're in the middle of no where, and in the non-busy season, hardly see anybody. But you have to be wanting to basically do nothing but hang out at the condo/house and cook, sit around beach/pool and drink, and play golf for that to make sense. It's inconvenient to anything else.

If you do decide you want to do the MS Gulf Coast, I spend a lot of time down there and can give you some good recommendations as far as food and golf and areas to stay in. The food there is great, but can be hit or miss if you don't know where to go and will be more miss than hit if you just drive down the beach and stop at a place.

Awesome info, guys. I may be sending you guys some PM's once I decide where to go. Thanks again.

I'll check out the thread on SPS too, thanks for that tip.