The Beach Club Resort and Spa ~ Gulf Shores Premier Spot to Unwind and Relax
Even arriving well after midnight, long after the day’s sunset has come and gone, it’s still easy to see that the Beach Club Resort and Spa, located along the Gulf Shores of Alabama in one of Spectrum Resorts gated communities, is spectacular.
Upscale Escape from Reality
Driving past adorable lakeside cottages under the star-studded night sky, four high-rise condominium tower buildings, each facing the gulf, tower above everything else nearby. Warm Spring breezes move alongside the convertible, dancing through branches of palm trees that line the entrance to the property. Each seems to wave a welcoming hello.
The elevator races to the 13th floor, where my vacation rental stands ready for the few days of unwinding and relaxing I need.
The scene that greets me once I open the door is unexpected. A large, spacious kitchen and living room decorated in a seaside theme leads my eye to the sliding glass doors and ocean beyond.
Peace of Mind and Panoramic Views
Rated one of the top 10 family beach resorts since 2014, Beach Club Resort and Spa is one of the most desirable home-away-from-home locations, appealing to couples, girlfriends who need a getaway, family vacations, groups, and even wedding parties.
And the property seems to have everything I might need on-sight; several dining options, a full-service spa, six pools, any number of games and activities, watersports, arcades, specialty shops and more.
I can hear the waves lapping at the shore below. My patio has a long carved table and six chairs. I pour myself a glass of wine-a celebratory drink at the end of a long day drawn out by three flights and two layovers-and choose the seat with the best view.
The night is dark, but I can see lights twinkling in the distance. Hulking shapes of boats are on the horizon, ships settled in for the night, anchors resting at the bottom of the ocean floor.
Looking to the left and then the right of me, all I see are miles of sandy beach. A full moon glistens off the water, a few people dark silhouettes here and there along the shore.
Doral Tower
My vacation stay is in one of four opulent towers facing the Gulf coast. The Avalon tower sits to the East, the Doral Tower to the West, both Bristol and Catalina Towers lay tucked between.
A small bedroom lies off to the side of this sprawling rental, sporting a set of bunk-beds, comfy furniture and plenty of room for three or four kids.
The master bedroom boasts tall ceilings, several pieces of brown wicker furniture, and my king-sized bed, the showcase piece, is smack-dab in the center of everything.
Another set of glass sliders open up to a smaller private deck with a tiny table. It’s here I watch the sun come up. I’m too excited to sleep, with the promise of sunshine and sandy beaches just a few hours ahead of me, it’s impossible. I feel like I can sleep later.
A Perfect Gulf Shore Sunrise at Beach Club Resort and Spa
The sun rises slowly. Shades of pink and purple reflect over the vast expanse of sea reminding me of opals, their smooth layers of iridescent color catching light from every angle.
Long wood piers lead me down to the water’s edge. Here and there, an American flag moves back and forth in the early morning light. Other vacationers watch the sunrise alongside me.
Blue and white umbrellas and cabanas already line the beach in front of us. True lovers of the ocean are out and about, walking along the soft, sandy shore, or swimming for a few minutes before drying themselves off with the resort’s big, fluffy towels.
Spectrum Resorts is a hands-on rental management company that’s not only on-site but has sky-high quality standards in the properties they represent. You can feel it too, from the moment of reservation to arrival, they want everything to be perfect.
And this visit is.
And As If the Beach Wasn’t Relaxing Enough
After my walk along the beach and another cup of coffee on my 13th-floor patio, I can tell you my eyes were all over that master bedroom. Those king-size pillows and freshly laundered duvet had my name written all over them.
But, first.
The spa.
My choice from their extensive menu is the 80-minute therapeutic massage. I need the deep-tissue focus on trigger points and problem areas, thanks to a hamstring injury suffered a few years ago. It side-lined my active lifestyle. Therapeutic massages help loosen the tight muscles and tension in that area.
Soft, calming music plays the entire time. I don’t say a word. My massage therapist works her magic in the room’s quiet.
The Rest of My First Full Beach Day Will Have to Wait
I wander up to my room, smiling at the way my day’s turning out. I haven’t been this relaxed in a long, long time.
Leaving the sliders open, I turn down the blankets and crawl into bed. Exploring the gulf coast and more of the Beach Club Resort and Spa will be waiting for me when I awaken. I’m sure of it.
Right now, I give in to the tranquil sounds of the ocean and the most comfortable bed ever. I let them rock me to sleep, where I stay for nine hours – ones I’m more than happy to give up in exchange for this little slice of Alabama heaven.
