Uncategorized

In Orange Beach, Alabama, there are so many exciting things for people of all ages to enjoy. Read on to discover just a few of the great activities you and your family can experience when you’re not relaxing in your Orange Beach vacation rental.

Adventure Island

Kids of all ages, as well as their parents, will be able to enjoy many exciting hours of fun here! Play some mini-golf, ride on go-karts and bumper boats, and watch the giant volcano erupt with exciting sounds, lights, and steam. When it’s time to cool down and get some shade, check out the huge indoor arcade.

Tacky Jacks

While exploring all the fun things to do in Orange Beach, the excitement doesn’t have to stop when everyone starts to get hungry. Check out Tacky Jacks, one of the most popular family-friendly restaurants in Orange Beach. Sit at an outside table and you may be treated to seeing some dolphins while you’re chowing down on your favorite comfort foods. After checking out the souvenir shop, continue the fun and rent some of Tacky Jacks’ watersports equipment!

The Wharf Marina

End your day with some laser tag and other games at Arena The Next Level, the indoor amusement park at The Wharf Marina. When done, stroll along the Wharf, get some pictures, enjoy the light show and live music, and grab a sweet treat. 

After a full day of fun, you’ll be ready to relax in your Orange Beach beachfront rental. Plan your next family vacation at www.ourgulfshoresvacation.com. 

Beaches are like magnets, drawing in millions of people a year for a good reason. Who can resist the freedom and peace of being close to the water? People bring their volleyballs, umbrellas, blankets, snacks, and, in some cases, their pets. Dogs, in particular, love the water, and pet owners love sharing the joy of the beach with them. Of course, most rentals don’t allow pets due to the possibility of furniture damage, shedding, and other messes. However, as a property owner, offering pet-friendly Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, Perdido Key, or Orange Beach rentals will capture the hearts of animal lovers everywhere and push your property’s ratings higher than ever.  

Your pet-friendly property will stand out from the rest – and may inspire guests to stay longer and return often. Animal owners value comfort and familiarity, so you can gain loyal clientele for years by providing a welcome space. In the short-term, pet-friendly rentals are rarely vacant–more than 70 percent of renters own animals and would prefer to include them in their vacation rather than board them back home.

It’s also proven that pet owners are happier and healthier with their animal companions at their sides – pets help reduce stress, provide company, and protect their people. By allowing dogs on your property, you’ll have happier guests and may even increase security!

Offering a pet-friendly space takes a massive leap of faith that renters will keep the property in good condition. Let’s be honest – many pet-owning renters won’t have the cleanliness standards you’d like. However, the there is still value in gaining their business. We highly recommend building service fees and a no-refund policy into your rental agreements because this is a special service you are offering that they can’t find everywhere else. Animal lovers usually expect to pay a higher price to cover maintenance and upkeep (after all, they save on boarding expenses). 

Here at Harris Vacations, we specialize in marketing our property owners’ spaces. We seek to ensure their success and reduce their stress while providing high-quality, enjoyable vacations for guests, and their pets, at a great value. To make your Vacation Rentals in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, AL, or Perdido Key, FL, better than ever, call us today at 877-446-4853!

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!