Get the most out of your Gulf  Coast vacation with Alabama’s Orange Beach condo rentals. If you have never stayed at a condo rental on the beach before, you don’t know what you are missing. Instead of a one or two room hotel setup, the beach condo allows plenty of privacy, full kitchen or kitchenette and incredible beach views to top it all off. It’s like owning your own apartment by the sea for the duration of your trip and is especially useful for families and large groups of friends that want several rooms to relax and enjoy their privacy

You can find affordable Orange Beach condo rentals right by the ocean for an incredible weekly rate! Here are some of the top choices in the area:

1. White Caps by ResortQuest

2. Turquoise Place

3. Palm Beach by Sugar Sands

4. Romar Beach by Sugar Sands

5. Harbour Place by Sugar Sands

With these affordable and comfort-forward resorts, you can find Orange Beach condo rentals that meet your budget and our preferences.

If you love family fun in the great outdoors you will enjoy the host of Orange Beach activities that are available at this incredible stretch of the Gulf Coast. When people think vacation, they don’t often think Alabama, and it is for this reason that Orange Beach has remained beautiful and full of nature-based activities and entertainment for the whole family.  Whether you are a fishing fanatic, water sport enthusiast, seafood lover, and just plain like to romp around on the beach, Orange Beach is the ideal serene environment to enjoy with your family.

Here is a list of the best-loved Orange Beach activities:

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We have two pieces of good news along the Gulf Coast today.  First, the leaky well is being plugged successfully with BP's "Static Kill" effort and second, ther US Government released a report saying that most of the oil is already gone -- it's been cleaned up or decomposed.  Read the full article from Yahoo! here.

The implication of course is that it's now safe to come visit the Gulf Coast.  Of course, many of y'all already knew that and didn't really need the government to tell you!

Please consider visiting this wonderful part of the country.  If you do come, enjoy the amenities of home and more space than a hotel by renting a condo. Visit http://www.abetterstay.com to view the Web's largest selection of professionally managed Condos along the Gulf Coast.

Have a great day.

Many customers of ABetterStay.com have asked how they can help support the Alabama Gulf Coast during these difficult times?

There are three simple answers:

1) If you can, please come for a visit!  What better way to show your support than to "vote with your feet" and come vist this beautiful coastline.  While there is certainly some inconvenience due to the BP oil spill, there is still plenty to do.  There is no swimming in the Gulf, but the beaches are open.  Most resorts have lazy rivers or pools. There is also great access to the fresh water of nearby Lake Shelby. In addition, there are several great events taking place. There will be fireworks on the beach on the evening of Sunday, July 4th.  Also, there are concerts, including the newly rescheduled Jimmy Buffet show on July 11th and country music star Montgomery Gentry. See more at this calendar.

2) If you would like to help, please consider giving money.  There are a number of great charities out there, all of whom are doing good work.  Some of our staff favorites:

• United Way
• The Nature Conservancy
• NRDC
• Red Cross

3) Alternatively, if you want to show your support , consider buying a t-shirt. Wear it proudly wherever you live and let others know that you support Alabama's Gulf Coast!

Whichever option you choose, please keep the hard working people of the Gulf Coast in your thoughts and prayers.

Get ready for one of the biggest air shows in the South East with this year’s Blue Angels Air Show! Hosted by the United States Navy, the Blues flight is scheduled to take off at 2:00 PM July 10th 2010 and is free and open to the public. Preview the outstanding demonstrations of the choreographed piloting skills that are possessed by our very own military personnel. The Naval Aviators will showcase their graceful acrobatic maneuvers with a Diamond Formation that consists of four planes in a fast high-speed display with two additional solo pilots.

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If you think you have tasted fresh seafood, you have never experience true Orange Beach dining. This southern Gulf Coast area of Alabama is famous for incredible southern hospitality, breath taking beach views, and most importantly; seafood creations with a southern flair. Situated right off the coast of one of this nation’s hottest fishing charters, Orange Beach is known to bring in catch and serve it up right. Taste an array of dishes that are unique to this area and dive into the culture of Orange Beach the tastiest way possible; through your appetite.

Here are some of the area’s best Orange Beach dining spots and their famous creations:

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June 10th, 2010
View of Orange Beach, Al

The good folks at the Escapes to the Shores resort in Orange Beach, Alabama sent in this photo taken today-- June 10, 2010.  The photo shows that the beaches are clean.  There are no tarballs.  People are playing in the water and enjoying the lovely beach.  The only thing missing.... is you!

Given the uncertainty caused by the oil spill, many vacation rental management companies have changed their cancel policies.  Traditionally, cancel fees can be steep and usually require forfeiture of the entire booking amount if the reservation is canceled at the last minute.  However, vacation rental managers understand the anxiety guests may feel given the situation, so they are willing to offer no or minimal fee cancel policies in order to give guests comfort.  Below is a sample of cancel policies from a few top suppliers in the area:

• Oases Resorts which operates numerous resorts in Panama City Beach has waived any and all cancel fees or penalties
• Sugar Sands Realty which has properties in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is offering guests a full refund less a $50 processing fee. 
• Turquiose Place which is arguably the premiere condo tower in Orange Beach is offering guests a full refund less an $85 processing fee for cancelations more than three days prior to arrival
• The Beach Club in Gulf Shores is also is offering guests a full refund less an $85 processing fee for cancelations more than three days prior to arrival
• The Bel Sole Condominiums, also in Gulf Shores, is offering guests a full refund less a $50 processing charge up to seven days before arrival
• Pirates Bay Condominiums in Ft. Walton Beach is offering guests a full refund less a $50 processing charge up to three days before arrival

Many other resorts and rental companies are offering similar policies.  You can view the detailed policies on the checkout pages of this and many other booking websites.  You can also call our central reservations line at 1-888-828-6745 to inquire.

Alabama’s Gulf Coast will host this year’s The Hangout Beach Music and Arts Festival! This annual 3 day celebration will feature over 60 bands on four separate stages and is one of the largest spring/summer bashes of the southeast. Rock, country, and blues legends will come from near and far to perform on the beach. Starting on May 14th and lasting the whole weekend through the 16th 2010, the Hangout Beach will welcome visitors from noon until 11:00 PM each day.

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This year's Wooden Boat Festival will be a culmination of the arts and a celebration of the water. Hosted at the Pirate’s Cove Marina and Restaurant, the events of this much anticipated 2 day festival will kick off on May 1st 2010 at 10:00 AM. Bring your friends and family of all ages for $5.00 admission (kids 12 and under get in free) and races, contests, music, and food all weekend long.

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