Its been several years since we cased it out, but we found it to be well-maintained when we cased the place out, including checking some of the beachfront units and eating in the dining room (which is a steal).

The park provides a striking contrast to the more heavily developed areas outside of its borders. Gulf State Park offers the very best beachcoming in the area because its two and a half miles of white, sugar sand beach simply don't get the traffic that occurs in the hotel/condo portions of the coast. At times, it is possible to have this beach nearly to yourself.

If solitude is what you have in mind, it's worth planning far in advance to secure one of the 144 beachfront units that stretch out in either direction from the main state-owned resort hotel. Rates are competitive or perhaps a bit lower than many area hotels. The units have different configurations and they're located in a dozen separate buildings which are set well back from the beach, for plenty of privacy. Kitchenettes in some units provide a welcome opportunity for families to prepare some meals 'at home'. Meals are also available in the main lodge. Gulf State Park also has 468 campsite and 21 cottages on a freshwater lake across the road from the main complex. An interesting amenity of the park: an 825-foot long fishing pier. (There is a nominal admission fee for walking or fishing from the pier, both of which are popular).

Several years ago, I noted a request for proposals for development of a new hotel and I haven't been there to see if that plan came to fruition, but I'll top your post and see if someone has more current info.

Here's the website with contact numbers and some info:

http://www.dcnr.state.al.us/parks/gulf_1a.html

Really, I think it is an option well worth checking out.