Planning a family reunion means finding a place that works for grandparents, parents, and kids all at once. Alabama’s Gulf Coast checks that box — miles of white-sand beach and enough on-site amenities to keep every generation entertained without much planning required. At Brett/Robinson, we’ve helped families plan reunions here for more than 40 years. Here’s why this coastline works so well for a group like yours, plus five condos our team recommends for your next reunion.
Why Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Are Great for Family Reunions
Not every destination works for a group that spans grandparents, parents, teenagers, and toddlers all at once. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach appeal to all ages and interests, and that’s a big part of why so many families choose this stretch of coastline for their reunions year after year.
Activities for Every Age Group
A good reunion destination needs to offer more than just a nice beach — it needs options. Grandparents might want a quiet morning with coffee on the balcony, teenagers might want to paddleboard or try deep-sea fishing, and younger kids just want a pool to jump in. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach check every one of those boxes within a short drive, and often without leaving the property at all.
Easy Beach Access for Large Families
Wrangling a large group to and from the beach gets complicated fast, especially with young kids, coolers, and beach gear in tow. Staying somewhere with direct or easy beach access cuts out a lot of that hassle, letting your family spend more time enjoying the water and less time hauling gear across a parking lot.
Plan the Stay That Fits Your Group
Time It Around Shoulder Season
Late spring and early fall tend to be less crowded and more budget-friendly than peak summer, while still offering plenty of warm beach days. Many families choose fall specifically for their reunion, once the summer crowds have thinned out. This is also an easier window for booking multiple units in the same building, since demand isn’t as high as it is in June and July.
Plan for One Bedroom Per Family
A good rule of thumb is one bedroom per family unit, with a little extra room for shared common space. If one condo isn’t big enough for your whole group, booking a few units in the same building keeps everyone close without sacrificing space — and our team can help you coordinate availability across multiple condos.
The 5 Best Condos for Your Family Reunion
Phoenix VI
Phoenix VI is a beachfront property in Orange Beach offering 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units that sleep up to 10 guests, giving families the flexibility to book one larger unit or a couple of units side by side. Every condo comes with a Gulf-front balcony, a full kitchen, and an in-unit washer and dryer, so cooking meals and doing laundry for a big group is easy.
For a reunion, the amenity list is a big bonus. Phoenix VI has both an indoor and outdoor pool, a separate kiddie pool, hot tubs, a sauna, and a fitness center, along with tennis, basketball, and an indoor racquetball court. Covered parking and EV charging stations are also on site.
Phoenix VII
Right next door to Phoenix VI, Phoenix VII is a 15-story tower with 450 feet of Gulf frontage and 247 Gulf-front condos. The 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units sleep up to 10 guests, and many feature granite countertops and updated finishes, along with a private Gulf-front balcony, full kitchen, and in-unit washer and dryer in every unit.
This property stands out for the sheer range of things to do without leaving the grounds. On-site amenities include a large outdoor pool, a kiddie pool, an indoor pool with three hot tubs, lighted tennis and pickleball courts, a year-round beach volleyball court, racquetball, wallyball, shuffleboard, and a fitness room with saunas. Phoenix VII also has meeting and event space with a full-service kitchen — useful if your reunion includes a planning session or a rainy-day gathering spot.
Phoenix on the Bay
Phoenix on the Bay isn’t a beachfront property, but it’s a favorite with families for its resort-style setting. Located on Terry Cove with views of Robinson Island and Perdido Pass, this community offers fully furnished 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units that sleep up to 10 guests, each with a full kitchen and a private balcony overlooking the bay and pool areas.
What sets this property apart for a reunion is the amount of built-in entertainment. Phoenix on the Bay features multiple pools, a lazy river, a corkscrew water slide, a kiddie pool with fountain features, and a putting green, plus an on-site marina with boat slips and a boat launch for families who want to get out on the water. Indoor amenities include a pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, and fitness center, along with tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts. The Gulf beach itself is about a five-minute drive away.
Browse Phoenix on the Bay condos
Phoenix East
Phoenix East is a beachfront condo near Alabama Point, offering 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units that range from roughly 1,950 to 2,550 square feet and sleep up to 10 guests. Each unit has floor-to-ceiling windows, a private Gulf-front balcony, a full kitchen, and an in-unit washer and dryer, giving families plenty of room to spread out after a day at the beach.
Kids especially love the outdoor pool here, which features a distinctive bridge and waterfall, along with a dedicated children’s splash pad. The property also has an indoor pool, two hot tubs, a sauna, and a fitness center with Gulf views, plus tennis, basketball, and racquetball courts.
Phoenix Gulf Towers
For reunions that need more bedrooms under one roof, Phoenix Gulf Towers is one of our newest properties, made up of Phoenix Gulf Towers I and II. The modern 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units range from about 1,549 to 2,091 square feet, with open floor plans, floor-to-ceiling windows, and expansive Gulf-front balconies designed for larger groups.
This property’s amenities lean family-friendly across the board. Outdoor features include a Gulf-front pool with a lazy river and water slide, plus a dedicated splash pad, while indoor amenities include a heated zero-entry pool, a hot tub, and a fitness center — so there’s something for every age group regardless of the weather. Phoenix Gulf Towers is also within walking distance of Gulf State Park’s Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, a good option if your reunion wants a break from the beach for a hike or bike ride.