Group Lodging in Gulf Shores, Alabama: A Church Retreat's Alternative to Airbnb and Vrbo
Planning a men's or women's retreat means carrying a lot at once: the schedule, the speaker, the meals, and a group hoping to grow closer to God and to each other.
For many leaders, the first search is Airbnb or Vrbo. Every Airbnb listing sets its own guest limit, so a group of 40 can mean booking several houses and deciding who stays where. That also splits the group up at mealtimes and between activities.
Beach houses work well for a family vacation. A church retreat asks for something a little different: one place where the whole group sleeps, eats, and meets.
At Gulf Shores Beach Retreat, one side of our facility sleeps up to 80 guests, and your group gets that entire side to itself. If your group is bigger than that, you can rent both sides of the retreat.
Your Whole Group Under One Roof
A beach house has the bathrooms a single family needs. Each side of our retreat has four bunk rooms, and every bunk room has two showers, two toilets, and three sinks, so your whole group can get ready before the morning session.
“Your side of the retreat has bunk rooms for your guests and separate staff and leader rooms for your speaker, pastor, or retreat coordinator.”
Your side of the retreat has bunk rooms for your guests and separate staff and leader rooms for your speaker, pastor, or retreat coordinator.
Each leader room has its own bathroom. For a guest speaker, a one-bedroom condo in the same building is available only to groups staying at the retreat.
A Kitchen Built to Feed Everyone at Once
Our fully-equipped commercial kitchen lets you cook for your group on your own schedule, then sit down together in the dining area.
A beach house kitchen fits a family dinner. Ours has two ovens, two refrigerators, a stand-up freezer, and a warming cabinet, with a commercial ice machine just outside.
Two charcoal grills give you another option for an evening cookout.
Room to Worship Together
A rented living room holds only as many people as the listing allows, and Vrbo's events policy treats a gathering over a host's occupancy limit as unauthorized. Our 1,600-square-foot meeting room has space for your whole group, with folding chairs, tables, and (2) 65” Smart TV’s. Your whole group can gather for worship or a teaching session, then break into small groups without leaving the property.
Free Time Happens in One Place
A retreat includes time between sessions, like a talk after the evening session or coffee before breakfast. When everyone stays in the same building, the whole group can join at any time without needing much coordination or planning.
The private pool and its large deck give your group a quiet place to talk and relax. A public boardwalk across the street leads to the white sandy beach and the Gulf of Mexico, and the sand volleyball court and basketball goal are on your side of the property.
Your group leader holds the Wi-Fi login and decides whether to share it. Watch your group put down their phones and connect face-to-face.
One Booking Keeps Planning Simple
Renting several houses means several hosts, check-in times, and sets of house rules.
“With us, your group books one side of the retreat with one contract, one deposit, one nightly rate, and one cleaning fee.”
With us, your group books one side of the retreat with one contract, one deposit, one nightly rate, and one cleaning fee. The whole property is alcohol-free and smoke-free, and there's parking for buses, vans, and cars.
It's a no-sweat planning process!
Bring Your Whole Group to One Place
One guest put it simply:
“So convenient and set up perfectly for church groups!”
When you're ready, reach out with your dates and how many are coming. We're happy to give you a tour or email you pictures and videos first.
