I was on a spur-of-the-moment road trip ... went to the Big Easy for a couple days, then was going to stay in Biloxi for a couple more before heading home ... After seeing all the destruction still in the Gulfport/Biloxi area, I decided to go on over to the Gulf Shores area ... never having been there before, I stopped at the Welcome Center in Alabama ... The woman there recommended the Island House ... she couldn't have made a better suggestion ... The price was excellent ... and the staff was the best ... the room and view was great ... as good as or better than Key West ...

My family stayed at this hotel over Labor Day weekend, and we were blown away. All we were looking for was relaxing fun on the beach, and I don't think we could have picked a better place for it. I booked the room in July, and we ended up paying about $115/night with tax. While we were there we heard that people walking in without reservations were paying upwards of $200 (not including tax), so if you visit be sure to make a reservation beforehand, as far in advance as possible. The hotel is long rather than deep, so all the rooms face the beach, and the view is spectacular. Each morning after breakfast we would walk about 100 yards from the hotel to the beach, move up to the pool after a few hours (either bringing sandwich stuff for lunch on the beach or buying lunch poolside), then wash up and eat an early dinner out. Saturday and Sunday hotel staff grilled hamburgers and hot dogs out by the pool, and sold those with fries and potato salad. They also sold snow cones. We did not try the cafe.

We ate at the Waffle House every morning for breakfast, which was cheap and convenient. (There are 3 within about 5 miles as you head down the road toward Gulf Shores.) Good places to eat for dinner were the Shrimp Basket and (I think the name was) the Gulf Island Grill, although we made sure to get there early to beat the crowds.

We have stayed at The Island House Hotel before, and our experience has never been anything but exceptional. We have 2 small children, the hotel is very kid friendly. The check in/out process is ALWAYS kind and quick. All the rooms have ocean views. I read one of the other comments about the "debit card transaction" I paid with a debit card... they DID tell me it would be directly debited from my account...but what is the big deal? When you go to wal mart it is taken directly out of your account, so I'm not sure what the big deal is about. Also, I do not remember being charged 25.00 to use my debit card. There was some sort of extra 25.00 fee, but it was credited back to my account upon departure.. so just ask.. THEY WILL TELL YOU. The front desk is VERY helpful. The pool is extra nice. You have to pay for beach service any where you go.. so big deal. % bucks an hour to me was fine. or 20. dollars a day.. i think, may have been 25. still, with kids, its well worth it. The cafe food is always great. May be alittle over priced... but still good food, and great service. The bar is also nice, I don't drink normally and had recently had bariatric surgery.. the bartender was so helpful in custom making me a pina colada. The rooms are average... but always clean and neat. Housekeepers...so friendly and helpful. I cannot say enough good things about this hotel, we had always stayed in condos, until 2 yrs ago.. we stumbled upon the island house hotel. SO glad that we did.

We came across "The Island House" after fleeing the ratsnest we had booked down the road. We stayed 3 nights during the week for a very decent rate, $165. The hotel was clean and modern, the views and beach were terrific, and the "cafe" was decent for a quick bite- nothing spectacular. The staff was professional though they could certainly have been more helpful at the front desk. Provided they can maintain this property to the level we enjoyed we'd definitely visit again.