Top 4 Things You May Not Know About Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores Got Its Start as a Fishing Community

The area began as a fishing community dating back to the early 1800s. The fishing and shellfish industries were the largest employers in the area until as recently as the 1970s. Shops, cafes, and restaurants sprang up, but the town would essentially be deserted during the winter and fall. 

You Have a Shrimp Festival to Thank for the Extra Business

In 1971, the local fishing community organized the National Shrimp Festival to drum up business and bring in more visitors. The festival has now become a national tourist event, with upwards of 200,000 people in attendance over the four-day extended weekend every October. The festival now includes live music, art showings, and, of course, a lot of shrimp!

Orange Groves Used to Be a Common Sight

While fishing has a leading role in the region’s history, so does farming. Nearby Orange Beach is named in honor of the region’s orange and citrus groves. However, a salesman brought orange tree seedlings infected with a blight to the area in the 1920s and wiped out the groves.

The Area was Fought Over Four Times in 100 Years

In more than 100 years, the Mobile Bay area transferred hands four times. The bay was originally named after natives, including members of the Mabila tribe, who lived upriver from the head of the bay. Then the Spaniards came to the bay in the 1500s, but the French took it over 200 years later, only to surrender it to the British at the end of the French and Indian War in 1763. The British then lost it back to the Spanish, who lost it to the U.S. military in 1813.

While we officially founded Harris Vacation Rentals in 2013, our history began in 1983 when Steve and Becky Harris bought their first quaint cottage on Fort Morgan Beach with plans to rent it to vacationers. Harris Vacation Rentals Management has grown to include more than 80 vacation homes and condos. From Fort Morgan beach cottages and condos at full-service resorts like the Beach Club and Martinique to beach homes in the West Beach area of Gulf Shores and on Little Lagoon, we maintain our customer-focused business practices and beliefs. We’ve never lost the sense of family that influenced our company culture in the beginning, which continues still today. 

Our priority is to keep the focus on being proactive and providing exceptional service to homeowners and vacationers. We focus on quality over quantity. Our culture is team-focused, innovative, and fixed on moving beyond expectations to achieve excellence in all things. Our caring staff and personable boutique style make everyone feel like a priority.

Philosophies that drive our culture for owners and guests: 

• Availability and Personalization- Our owners experience a 1:1 partnership they can trust in their rental management. Our guests can expect to talk directly to concierge services and have 24/7 access to customer support. 

• Exceptionality- We prioritize being proactive, innovative, and excellent. Owners expect a frictionless, enjoyable process, including screening against parties, a revenue manager, and a non-commission-based team. Our guests feel peace of mind knowing that we are thinking ahead to ensure their stay is satisfying and enjoyable. 

• Expertise- As owners, we truly understand what it means to be an owner and bring that understanding and our local perspective to managing your vacation rental. As locals of the area, we’ve experienced everything from the best restaurants to the most underappreciated local attractions. We always look for worthy hot spots to recommend to our guests. 

The owners we serve feel confident and heard, knowing we are a trusted partner who inspires confidence with their investment. As owners, we know what they want and need and how to deliver on those needs. We understand that owners build our business, and we are here to be their advocate and work for them. 

Each season, hundreds of families discover the one-on-one personal interaction offered by Harris Vacation Rentals Management and come back year after year. We’re a trusted local business providing exceptional service, personal touches, and a VIP customized experience during your vacation so you can just celebrate or relax. 

We offer our owners and guests a boutique rental management experience with a personal touch. If there is a problem or concern, we are here to handle it. Whether you are interested in renting out your property or staying in a luxurious home on the beach, Harris Vacations is here for you. Contact us today!

 

Planning a vacation to the Gulf Shores area? You can stop scrolling all over the internet looking for the best things to see, do, and eat. No need to read another Yelp review! We’ve got you! Let our team do the searching for you, so you can focus on what matters most: making unforgettable memories with your loved ones. 

A rental reservation with Harris Vacations not only includes getting you booked in one of our high-quality, welcoming vacation rentals, but it also includes our VIP Concierge Program. Our team wants you and your family to make memories that will last a lifetime. We’ve searched up and down Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and gathered the best local vendors and activity providers around. 

Our VIP Concierge will give you personalized recommendations for everything: from local attractions to restaurants and services that meet your specific needs and tastes. Whether you’re looking to enjoy your next anniversary, take a vacation, or want to celebrate a birthday with the family, the Harris Vacations team can help you create memorable moments at the beach.

Didn’t book with us? That’s okay. Our VIP Concierge Program is available to anyone visiting the area, even if they don’t book a vacation rental with us. We believe in helping families have vacations they’ll remember for years to come, and our VIP Concierge Program is one way we help ensure that happens – whether you rent a property from Harris Vacation Rentals or not, you’re a guest in our beautiful hometown of Gulf Shores! We welcome the opportunity to host you and your family.

How Does the VIP Concierge Program Work?

Our VIP Concierge Program is easy and straightforward! Here’s how it works:

1. Call or text 251-257-7699 right now to speak to our local concierge.

2. Fill out our concierge form — Didn’t book with Harris Vacations? That’s okay! Our concierge services are open to you. Simply select any services you may need, share any special events that need celebrating, and we will begin working with our local partners to ensure your stay is one that your family holds in their memories forever.

3. Receive customized recommendations 90 days before your stay — Activity bookings can fill up fast! Fortunately, we have local knowledge that can’t be beat! Our guest relations team, well-versed in what each location offers, will provide detailed local recommendations that meet the needs you expressed on the form mentioned above. That way, you can make the necessary arrangements for your booking ahead of time.

4. We’ll follow up before your vacation — Our VIP Concierge will reach out 10 days prior to the start of your vacation to ensure that you were able to arrange your bookings.

What Concierge Recommendations are Included?

Our VIP Concierge can help you have the experience you want! We make it easy to enjoy the activities you’re most looking forward to. If you want it, don’t hesitate to ask! We’re up to the challenge! We want you to make lifelong memories during your visit. Here are a few of the recommendations we can send your way (depending on the area, of course):

– Local restaurants and reservations

– Dinner and dolphin cruises

– Beach chairs, umbrellas, canopies, and other beach gear rentals

– Baby crib and gear rentals

– Special needs and assistance equipment

– Local attractions like amusement parks and escape rooms

– Outdoor activities like kayaking, canoeing, and go-karting

– Private chefs, grocery delivery, and more!

Simply let us know what your interests and needs are on the concierge form, and we can provide perfectly tailored suggestions just for you.

If you want to enjoy your vacation instead of feeling like an event coordinator, let us give you the VIP Concierge Experience. Your perfect vacation starts here!

Do you remember that coveted gizmo gadget you received one Christmas morning when you were a kid? You know, the one you played with nonstop for two days and promptly lost under the bed.

Now, how about getting lost on a family road trip to the mountains, catching a big fish (and a wicked sunburn) that fishing weekend with Dad, or camping out with all the cousins beneath an endless, starry sky? 

Those memories are probably clearer to remember. Reminiscences like these are more vivid; they helped shape you and joined other special recollections to form your core. That’s because experiences, not material goods, typically bring greater and more long-lasting levels of happiness. 

With the holidays fast approaching and the race to find the “perfect present,” wouldn’t it be nice to give the people you care about a truly meaningful gift that lasts a lifetime—time away together to relax and reconnect in paradise? 

The Harris Vacation Rentals Management team would love to help you with such a personal and thoughtful gesture. Let’s conjure up a little Christmas magic this year by giving your family beach vacation to remember!

 

The Benefits of a Family Vacation

Family is one of the most important things, if not THE most important, in the life of a human being. Your relatives are your people—they are actually linked to the past and bridges to the future, as the saying goes.

Yet, it’s often difficult to carve out quality time for your family in a hectic world amidst the grind of daily living. There are chaotic schedules, work duties, school obligations, extracurricular activities, endless errands, children to shuttle back and forth, households to manage, and so on.

 

Getting Away From It All Is Good for You

Chronic stress can take a tremendous toll on our bodies, leaving us vulnerable to infection and more prone to accidents and injury. Our minds may also suffer—we develop shorter fuses, become more distracted, and find ourselves less responsive to the emotional needs of others.

However, taking a break from routine to enjoy a vacation is a great remedy for burnout. Studies show physical, mental, and emotional downtime is just as crucial to our health and well-being as handling day-to-day responsibilities.

Spending quality time with family away from the daily grind helps alleviate stress. It provides an opportunity to bond and cultivates communication, a chance to talk things out and receive feedback.

Overall, people who take a relaxing vacation, like a trip to the beach, return happier and more serene, leading them to be more productive going forward. It’s a reset button for the soul and the perfect opportunity to unwind and unplug. 

 

Why Travel Is the Perfect Gift

Your loved ones have probably done their fair share of mindless stress-buying online over the past two years, and the last thing they need is more stuff. Giving them a beach vacation is almost certainly guaranteed to be a bigger hit than socks, a scratch-off, or a scented candle.

After all, the fleeting happiness we feel when opening presents like toys or clothes fades much faster than the sustained joy we receive from gifted travel. Beforehand, there is the thrill of vacation anticipation. Then, there’s the fun trip to enjoy, followed by lovely memories to cherish forever. It’s no competition! 

 

Harris Vacation Rentals Can Help

Once you’ve decided to give your family a Christmas vacation, you’ll need expert advice to plan the perfect getaway. That’s where we come in!

When searching for the ideal beach, look no further than the turquoise waters and sugary-white sand of the Alabama Gulf Coast. To find a rental home in this breathtaking area, there is no company better equipped to assist than Harris Vacation Rentals.

Our company has grown to include more than 80 vacation homes and condos, and we take great pride in having helped clients create once-in-a-lifetime family vacations for more than 30 years. From beach house rentals in Gulf Shores and luxury homes in Perdido Key to Orange Beach condos and cottages in Fort Morgan, we have accommodations to fit your family’s needs. 

 

Large-Group Rentals

No matter how big your family is, you’re in for a beach getaway everyone will enjoy. Our spacious family vacation rentals have enough bedrooms and separate living spaces to fit a multi-generational group comfortably, so there’s no need to pay for multiple hotel rooms. 

All Harris Vacation Rentals beachfront properties are clean, well-maintained, and conveniently located to popular attractions. You can quickly reach shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations by foot, bike, or car. The Gulf Coast is a very family-friendly area, with plenty to see and do for all ages. 

Many of our properties are pet-friendly, so your furry friend can enjoy the surf and sand alongside you. More than 20 Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores beach houses allow pets, so there are plenty to choose from! Find out more about our pet-friendly rentals here and here. 

Our coastal rental homes will allow you to experience amazing Gulf views, stunning sunrises, and peaceful sunsets right outside your front door. You can expect lazy days, sun-kissed cheeks, and waves crashing outside your windows. If this sounds like heaven, check out some of our large-group rentals and find the perfect one for your family beach vacation here. 

 

Wow Them This Year

There is no present more significant than the gift of time, so show the ones you care about how committed you are to investing in their happiness and well-being this Christmas by giving them a once-in-a-lifetime family beach vacation with Harris Vacation Rentals. It will be far more rewarding for both the giver and the receiver.

Contact us today to start planning your unforgettable vacation! 

Are you looking for the perfect place to host your next family reunion? Traveling to the beach is a great way to enjoy quality time with your loved ones. The sand and surf provide a luxurious backdrop for catching up, and the peace and quiet of a rental property are perfect for those who need a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Plus, who could resist spending their days in paradise?

What Makes Gulf Shores the Perfect Destination?

Relaxation

Imagine the sound of waves crashing against the shore, the warm sun on your skin, and your kid’s laughter in the distant background. Gulf Shores is a perfect solution if you’re looking to escape the stresses of daily life. Sunshine has been said to be the best medicine, and we believe them. Family reunions can be of various sizes, but to make your experience more enjoyable, gathering a crowd in one peaceful location is easier to enjoy each other’s company. Good news: many of our rental properties are only steps away from the sand, so you do not have to leave your balcony to enjoy the ambiance.  

Beauty

There’s no denying that the beach is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The clear waters and sugar-white sand beaches set Gulf Shores apart from other destinations. Fortunately, Gulf Shores is blessed with beautiful weather year-round, so you’ll never have to worry about rain ruining your celebration. The scenery is gorgeous any time of day, from sunrise to sunset. Spending time together in such a beautiful place will create lasting memories for you and your loved ones.

Wealth of Activities

Gulf Shores is enjoyable for guests of all ages, making it ideal for family reunions. There are plenty of opportunities for swimming, shopping, kayaking, visiting local festivals, and more. Of course, there’s always the option to relax, play board games, or watch a movie at home. When catering to a large crowd, food can be a complicated topic. Sitting down at one of our award-winning restaurants in town will surely bring smiles to the family.

Spacious Homes

One of the best things about renting a home for your family reunion is the amount of space. Hotel rooms can feel cramped and claustrophobic, but a rental home provides plenty of room to spread out and relax. You’ll also have access to amenities like a fully-equipped kitchen, a washer and dryer, and a private pool. This is wonderful if you want to share a home-cooked meal or have a more intimate time as a family.

Gulf Shores is the perfect place to host your next family reunion. With its beautiful beaches, great activities, and luxurious rental properties, it’s easy to see why Gulf Shores is a top destination for families. Take your first step toward paradise today: Call Harris Vacations at 1-877-446-4853