Large Groups
Gulf Shores Beachfront Duplex for 20 to 27 Guests: A Big-Group Trip Guide (2026)
By Avara Stays · Updated October 29, 2026
Dolphin View is a beachfront duplex in Gulf Shores: two side-by-side homes, each with its own entrance, kitchen and living room, booked together for up to 27 guests. This guide shows how a big group can use the space, which Gulf Shores restaurants and boats welcome large parties, and what to line up before you arrive, using the venues' own published rules.
The duplex at a glance
The Beachfront Duplex is both sides of Dolphin View at 1325 W Beach Blvd in Gulf Shores. It is a duplex, not a single house, so the two homes sit side by side and each keeps its own entrance, kitchen and living room.
| Beachfront Duplex (both sides) | |
|---|---|
| Sleeps | 27: Side A sleeps 14 and Side B sleeps 13 |
| Bedrooms and baths | 8 bedrooms · 6 full baths · about 3,500 sq ft |
| Kitchens and living rooms | Two of each, one per side, each side with its own entrance |
| Pool | In-ground pool on the beach side, yours alone when you book both sides (heated on request at no extra charge) |
| Parking | Up to 3 vehicles per side, 6 in all. Large trucks and SUVs may not fit under the carport. |
| Minimum stay | 3 nights, longer in peak season and on holidays. Summer stays run Saturday to Saturday. |
| Pets | Up to 2 pets, 1 per side, with a $195 fee per pet (more need our approval) |
| Towels and chairs | Beach towels are provided. Beach chairs are not (rent them from Ike’s Beach Service). |
Why two side-by-side homes suit a group of 20 to 27
With a group this size, space for everyone to spread out matters as much as the headcount. Because each side has its own kitchen and living room, two cooking crews can work at once, one family group can wind down in one living room while another watches a movie in the other, and the duplex has 6 full baths across the two sides.
Both sides have Gulf-view decks, and each side has a master bedroom with a private balcony over the beach and the pool. Outdoor grills and picnic tables are on the property, and there are two washer and dryer sets for a long stay.
Where everyone sleeps
| Side A · sleeps 14 | Side B · sleeps 13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Master bedrooms | 2 king master bedrooms | 2 king master bedrooms (one on the main floor, one upstairs with a Gulf-view balcony) |
| Other bedrooms | A bedroom with a double bed | A bedroom with two twin beds |
| Bunk room | Two twin-over-double bunk beds | A bunk bed, a double bed and a single bed |
| Living room | Queen sofa bed | Pull-out sofa |
Bed details are from the owner's listing. See each home's page for photos of every bedroom.
Both sides have a bunk room, which makes it easy to keep the kids together while each family group keeps a side with its own kitchen. Need fewer beds? A group of 13 or 14 can book one side alone, but a group of 15 or more needs both.
Group dinners in Gulf Shores
You can cook at the duplex, since each side has its own fully stocked kitchen, but a few nights out are part of most beach weeks. With 20 or more people, check each restaurant's group policy before you go, because walk-in and reservation rules change with the season.
The Hangout
The Hangout, at 101 E. Beach Blvd directly across from the Gulf Shores public beach, says on its own site that sports teams, church groups and family reunions are always welcome, with plenty of seating for everyone. Its events page says no reservation is necessary and walk-ins are always welcome. If you want a private or semi-private event there, it asks you to fill out the venue form, and it books events only from 8 AM to 4 PM during May, June, July and August. It is 2.2 mi, about 6 min by car from the duplex.
LuLu’s
LuLu’s, at 200 East 25th Avenue in Gulf Shores, is a large open-air restaurant with no private room to rent. It says it can accommodate parties of all sizes. In spring and summer it seats guests in the order they arrive and does not accept reservations. It does host some large parties and events in its shoulder season, October through February, and asks you to email the restaurant and name the Gulf Shores location.
Original Oyster House Boardwalk
The Original Oyster House Boardwalk, at 701 Gulf Shores Pkwy, takes reservations for parties of 10 or more through a manager, except on busy holiday weekends and from April 1 to Labor Day weekend. In non-peak seasons it can reserve the Lighthouse Room for up to 45 people or Pelican’s Landing, a semi-private waterfront room, for up to 40. Rooms must be confirmed through management, and it offers a private party menu and a seafood buffet for private parties.
On the water: private dolphin cruises for a big group
A private cruise keeps 27 people together on one boat. These three companies each list private group cruises on their own sites. Capacities are the figures they publish, and rates and dates change, so check with the company before you plan around them.
| Cruise | Published capacity | What the company says |
|---|---|---|
| The Fun Boats, Orange Beach | Up to 80 people per boat | Private daytime and sunset cruises, booked by the boat. Two identical boats load from different parking lots, so check the address in your confirmation. |
| Bama Breeze, Flora-Bama Marina & Watersports | Up to 49 passengers | Your group has the entire vessel. Refreshments from the Breezy Bar, and catering options through the Yacht Club. |
| The Sunny Lady, The Wharf | Up to 133 passengers | Tourism listing says private parties, team events and birthdays are welcome. |
The Wharf is 8.1 mi, about 16 min by car from the duplex. Drive times to the other marinas are not in our table.
Day trips that work for a crowd
Fort Morgan State Historic Site
Fort Morgan, finished in 1834, has a museum, concrete artillery batteries built between 1895 and 1904 and the exterior of historic military buildings. The fort and grounds are open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM and the museum from 9 AM to 4 PM, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The Alabama Historical Commission’s published fee table lists adult admission at $8 and a group rate of $4 per person for groups of at least 10, and its Fort Morgan page says groups are booked through the commission, so ask before you go. It is 23.8 mi, about 37 min by car from the duplex.
A picnic pavilion at Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park rents two covered pavilions at the Lake Shelby Picnic Area. Each has at least four picnic tables and a charcoal grill, and you bring the charcoal and cooking utensils. The rental is listed at $73 plus a $5.25 reservation fee for 8 AM to sunset, it cannot be booked on major holidays, and reservations open up to a year ahead. The page does not give a headcount, so ask the park if a pavilion fits your group. Alcohol is not allowed in Alabama State Parks, and the swimming area has no lifeguards.
More outings with group rates
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Waterville USA and OWA’s Tropic Falls all publish group rates that start at 15 people, so a group of 20 or more qualifies. Their booking rules and drive times are in our things to do with a big group guide, and the Gulf Shores vs. Orange Beach guide compares the two towns.
Drive times from the duplex
| To | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| The Hangout (Gulf Shores public beach) | 2.2 mi | ~6 min |
| Gulf State Park Pier | 3.5 mi | ~9 min |
| Waterville USA | 2.9 mi | ~7 min |
| The Wharf (Orange Beach) | 8.1 mi | ~16 min |
| Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo | 7.3 mi | ~17 min |
| OWA Parks & Resort (Foley) | 12.6 mi | ~22 min |
| Fort Morgan State Historic Site | 23.8 mi | ~37 min |
| Pensacola International Airport (PNS) | 39.3 mi | ~72 min |
Approximate driving distance and time with free-flowing traffic, from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), checked October 23, 2026. Summer weekends, spring break and the Highway 59 corridor can add a lot of time.
A beach day for 27
The duplex is on the beach with a pool on the beach side, so the group can split between sand and pool. Rent chairs and umbrellas from Ike’s Beach Service, since chairs are not provided. Before you set up a large tent on a public beach, read our beach rules guide: the cities limit tent sizes, everything has to come off the beach each night, and pets are not allowed on the sand. With 6 vehicles at most, a carpool plan for beach days and dinners keeps parking simple.
What guests say
“This was perfect for our spring break with the kids! Lots of room even though it’s a duplex. Having the beach right out back was perfect especially with the little ones and it was great that they had beach/pool equipment we could use!”
“Our family stayed at Sarah's home for 3 days while we attended my niece's wedding on the beach just a few houses down. The house was perfect - plenty of room for our party of 11. We enjoyed the beach and the pool. Plenty of parking for our 3 cars. Sarah communicated proactively, and responded quickly. I highly recommend this home...and Sarah.”
“Overall, we had a great time staying at Sarah’s place! Great views and we loved the pool. Plenty of space for our group! Close to a lot of great restaurants!”
Quoted exactly from Airbnb. These guests stayed on one side of the duplex, not both together. Dolphin View A is rated ★ 4.78 from 9 reviews on Airbnb, as shown October 23, 2026.
Booking the whole duplex
How to book all 27 guests
- Pick your dates in the Beachfront Duplex calendar. It books both sides together.
- See your full total with nightly rates, fees and taxes before you pay.
- Pay 50% to book through our secure OwnerRez checkout. The balance is due 30 days before arrival.
- Questions first? Email host@avarastays.com and the owner will answer.
Why book direct with the owner
- No Airbnb or Vrbo guest service fee. You check out with the owner's own booking system, OwnerRez, so no booking-site service fee is added. The calendar on each home's page shows nightly rates, fees and taxes before you pay.
- Talk to the owner. Questions about beds, pets, parking or your group go straight to us at host@avarastays.com.
- Clear cancellation. Cancel more than 30 days before check-in for a 100% refund. Cancel 30 to 15 days before check-in for a 50% refund. No refund within 14 days of check-in.
- Pay in two parts. 50% at booking, and the balance 30 days before arrival.
- Same homes, same owner. These are the same homes you may have seen on Airbnb or Vrbo, run by the same family.
Quick answers
Is the Beachfront Duplex one house?
No. It is a duplex, not a single house: two side-by-side homes, Side A and Side B, each with its own entrance, kitchen and living room, booked together for up to 27 guests.
How many people can stay at the Beachfront Duplex?
Up to 27 guests in 8 bedrooms with 6 full bathrooms. Side A sleeps 14 and Side B sleeps 13. Book both sides together as the Beachfront Duplex.
Can a group of 15 to 20 book just one side?
A single side sleeps 14 (Side A) or 13 (Side B), so a group of 15 or more needs both sides. Groups of 13 or 14 can book one side on its own.
Is there a service fee when we book direct?
There is no Airbnb or Vrbo guest service fee when you book direct, because you check out with the owner's own booking system. The booking calendar shows nightly rates, fees and taxes before you pay.
Which Gulf Shores restaurants take large groups?
The Hangout says sports teams, church groups and family reunions are always welcome, with plenty of seating. LuLu's says it can accommodate parties of all sizes but takes no reservations in spring and summer. The Original Oyster House Boardwalk takes reservations for parties of 10 or more outside holiday weekends and April 1 to Labor Day weekend, and has private rooms for up to 40 or 45 in off-peak seasons.
Can we book a private dolphin cruise for 27 people?
Yes. The Fun Boats, the Bama Breeze at Flora-Bama Marina & Watersports and the Sunny Lady at The Wharf all offer private group cruises, with listed capacities of up to 80 per boat, 49 and 133 passengers. Check each company for current rates and dates.
How many cars can our group bring?
Up to 3 vehicles per side, 6 in all. Large trucks and SUVs may not fit under the carport.
Are summer stays Saturday to Saturday?
Yes. Summer stays at the Beachfront Duplex run Saturday to Saturday. The standard minimum stay is 3 nights and can be longer in peak season and on holidays.
Get notified of openings and group deals
Planning a group trip? Join our list and we'll email you when dates open up and when we have group deals. Occasional emails only.
Stay with us
Our homes are owner-managed by Avara Stays and booked directly with the host:
- Beachfront Duplex: sleeps 27, 8 bedrooms, Gulf Shores
- Dolphin View A: sleeps 14, 4 bedrooms, Gulf Shores
- Dolphin View B: sleeps 13, 4 bedrooms, Gulf Shores
- Oasis Unit 2201: sleeps 10, 4 bedrooms, Orange Beach
Sources
Checked October 29, 2026. Rules, prices and hours change, so confirm with the venue before you go.
- The Hangout: Gulf Shores
- The Hangout: Special events venue
- LuLu's: FAQs
- LuLu's: Contact (spring and summer seating)
- Original Oyster House: Reservation policy
- Original Oyster House: Group events
- The Fun Boats Dolphin Cruises: Pricing and private cruises
- Flora-Bama Marina & Watersports: Private dolphin cruises on the Bama Breeze
- Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruises (official site)
- Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: The Sunny Lady at The Wharf
- Alabama Historical Commission: Fort Morgan, plan your visit
- Alabama Historical Commission: Table of fees (Admin. Code 460-X-24-A)
- Alabama State Parks: Gulf State Park picnic pavilions
- Alabama State Parks: Lake Shelby picnic area
- Ike's Beach Service