Since Spring Break is only a few weeks away and ALL of us hope the cold, dreary winter is almost over, many will be turning their thoughts to putting a trip to the beach on the calendar and making some reservations. Alabama happens to have some of the best beach access in the world!!  Sugar white, powdery sand that is infinitely walkable and soft for sunbathing — oh my. Bring it on!

Thanks to the forward thinking of the City Fathers in both Orange Beach and Gulf Shores and those who have invested heavily in the area, there are now seemingly endless choices when it comes to lodging along the Alabama Gulf Coast. From beach cottages to RV parks, from tent camping to hotels with kitchenettes, and from 1-bedroom condos to beach houses that will sleep 42 people, practically every budget and sleeping/housing need can be accommodated.

If you go to Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan or Perdido Beach often, you may have found some places you like, but allow me to suggest a place and a rental company you might not have used in the past. We had a very pleasant experience with them and will definitely plan to use their services in the future. Harris Properties Management. You can check out their listings here.

Here’s the way they choose to describe their company:

We are a boutique-style rental company. With this being said, we are more selective with the units that we bring into our program, meaning that our guests will only get the best properties that can be provided. With us being a smaller company (currently managing 98 properties with more on tap to be added in the coming year), we know our guests and owners by name and are truly able to give them a great guest experience. We like to say that we are in the memory-making business.

Steve and I spent 3 glorious nights at the Mustique Condominiums, the last high-rise at the far end of West Beach — 2000 W. Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores — one of the luxury units managed by Harris Properties. All of the condos in this building have 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, making it perfect for a multi-generational family vacation or a group of couples who enjoy traveling together.

Exterior of Mustique.

Dining room and kitchen.

There is an indoor pool and a fitness facility on the second floor and a fishing pier, large outdoor swimming pool and hot tub at the rear of the property. The kitchen is spacious and well-equipped, and a large laundry room with a full-size washer and dryer. I liked the fact that once payment arrangements were made, we were given a code to use to access our condo. Then another code was used once we left on check-out day to notify them that we had left and the cleaning crew could come in.

Looking down on the pier, swimming pool and hot tub.

Large laundry room.

One of the guest bedrooms.

Our absolute favorite feature at Mustique was the location which provided incredible views. From the front balcony, we could see the sunrise, the sunset and the crashing waves, and from the back balcony, we could enjoy the boats and the bay. From the kitchen window, I could see both the bay and the Gulf, along with West Beach Boulevard and the line of colorful beach houses.

View from the kitchen window.

Closeup of the pier extending into the bay.

Large outdoor pool

Sunset from the front balcony.

Mustique is away from all of the noise and traffic but still within a comfortable walking distance of Beach House Kitchen and Bill’s By the Beach. There are only 2 units on each floor and plenty of guest parking is provided.

One of the two beautiful master bedrooms.

The price for a typical WEEK in the high season is $3,697.00, but for a whole MONTH during the low (snowbird) season it is $2,745.00.

Never fear. If that’s a little steep for your budget, then Harris Properties also manages basic beach cottages, duplexes and smaller condos. They pride themselves on having “something for everyone, in all walks of life.”

Do I have you dreaming of summertime?

Stay tuned next week for some great restaurant suggestions in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. 🙂