Travel

by Brad Ferrand

Weekending in Orange Beach

YOU DON’T HAVE TO DRIVE to 30-A in Florida to experience luxurious beach accommodations along the beautiful emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Set along the Gulf Coast in Orange Beach, Alabama, Turquois Place Resort packs a punch in terms of luxury and enjoyment for everyone. As soon as you arrive at Turquoise, there really is no reason to leave. We recently made the trip, and boy were we glad we did!

Turquoise boasts incredible amenities that are sure to delight all age groups. We were particularly impressed with the spacious threebedroom condo unit we called home for two nights. In addition to the spacious condo units, Turquoise offers two grand Gulf-side pools as well as a kiddie pool which allow for breaks from the white sand and warm Gulf waters feet away. The covered pool-side bar is also conveniently located to cater to your cocktail needs and rescue the little ones in your crew from the dreaded mid-day hunger pains with a wide array of food. We took full advantage during our stay. We recommend the mojitos! Need a break from the beach? Take a trip to the fourth-floor lazy river that sits atop the covered parking garage. We were perfectly at peace as we floated away with our favorite cocktail and forgot our troubles as the water gently guided us along. Additionally, an indoor pool as well as a sauna is conveniently located adjacent to the lazy river to provide a break from the sun, if needed. As an

added perk, the Spectrum Club Lounge provided our party an excellent complimentary breakfast during each morning of our stay.

The condo units at Turquoise are something to behold. Each unit is a spacious three-bedroom condo with an open floor plan. The master bedroom overlooks the emerald waters of the Gulf and boasts a spacious master bathroom complete with a whirlpool bath and a large shower. The guest bedrooms are also spacious, and each have their own bathrooms as well. The balcony of each unit comes complete with comfortable outdoor furniture as well as a hot tub so you can enjoy a beautiful beach view while soaking away in your own private spa. We were extremely impressed with the luxurious and spacious accommodations.

If the kids are restless or just not in the mood for the beach, jump in your car and take a 20-minute ride over to the thrillingly fun OWA theme park. The Park at OWA is a newly-developed theme park located in Foley, Alabama. Its reasonable prices won’t break the bank. Don’t want to ride any rides? No problem. You get in for free at OWA! The Park at OWA offers rides and attractions perfect for all ages. A water park on the property is also opening soon. Ready to break into a cold sweat and see your life pass before your eyes? Hop on Rollin’ Thunder for a thrilling roller coaster ride that rivals the fastest rides at Universal Studios or any Six Flags theme park. We took advantage of the quick wait times and rode most of the attractions multiple times! After your daredevil activities have concluded, we recommend that you walk on over to the Downtown OWA area and enjoy several wonderful dining and shopping options. Downtown OWA is a perfect spot to spend an evening with the family and enjoy live music and other shows. We recommend Paula Dean’s Restaurant as a dining option. It was surprisingly delicious with a wonderful atmosphere and friendly staff. We enjoyed homestyle favorites such as fried catfish, fried chicken, creamed corn, mac n’ cheese, and sweet tea. Dessert is also complimentary and was ooey-gooey delicious!

Who says you can’t experience first-class luxury and out of this world excitement in Orange Beach? Turquoise Place Resort and The Park at OWA are awaiting your arrival. Load up the family vehicle and take the short drive over to Orange Beach. You and your family will be glad that you did.