When you travel to Alabama you'll be welcomed with a warm southern hospitality vibe that'll make it hard for you to leave. Alabama definitely flies under the radar when it comes to vacation destinations, but you'd be missing out on a whole lot of fun if you pass it up.

After you look through this list of some of the best places to stay in Alabama we think you'll be inspired to bump that Alabama vacation up a few spots on your bucket list.

Best Affordable Places to Stay in Alabama

Sure you could splurge and book a couple of rooms at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham for your family vacation, but why do that when you could have your own private pool house for barely over a hundred dollars a night, or maybe even a cool cabin getaway?

These rentals give you a whole lot more bang for your buck.

1. Canvasback Cabin, Scottsboro

• Location: Scottsboro, AL
• Size: 2 bedrooms (sleeps 8), 2 full baths
• Price: $119/night
• Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, TV, full kitchen, washer & dryer, grill, fire pit
• Ratings: 4.8 stars

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A wonderful Guntersville Lake retreat awaits in the cozy Canvasback Cabin near Scottsboro, Alabama. The clean modern interior feels like an upscale home with a rustic cabin charm. Enjoy five acres of peace and quiet less than a half mile from Guntersville Lake for a fishing weekend, a family day on the beach, or all your favorite water sports.

2. The Pool House, Pike County

• Location: Pike County, AL
• Size: 1 bedroom (sleeps 6), 2 full baths
• Price: $137/night
• Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, TV, full kitchen, washer & dryer, wood-burning stove, grill, swimming pool, pool table
• Ratings: 4.9 stars

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Only about 45 minutes south of Montgomery is your luxury but very affordable country getaway. Your stay at the guest house for Covey Point Lodge (also available for rent), The Pool House, will be that relaxing vacation you've been waiting for.

Enjoy the quiet of country living with a wonderful outdoor pool and a full-size pool table in the living room. Grill out on the back patio while the kids shoot some hoops or swim in the pool. The Pool House also makes for a fantastic hunting retreat as they offer seasonal quail, turkey, pheasant, deer, and hog hunts.

3. Farm Stay, Grand Bay

• Location: Grand Bay, AL
• Size: 1 bedrooms (sleeps 3), 1 bath
• Price: $119/night
• Amenities: Fire pit, secluded farm with goats
• Ratings: 5 stars

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Want to wake up to a herd of goats right outside your rental? This farm stay is just for you! There’s also a satsuma tree where you can pick satsumas to enjoy (when in season). The property is perfect for a relaxing weekend while still being just a short drive away from Mobile, Dauphin Island, and the Gulf Coast.

Best Places to Stay in Alabama for Families

Alabama has plenty of family-friendly rentals available. Whether it's a beachfront property on the Gulf Coast, a lake house with amazing fishing, or even a cabin in the woods near Gulf State Park. Here are a couple of wonderful vacation rentals in Alabama for every season that we are sure your family will love.

4. Beats Working, Gulf Shores

• Location: Gulf Shores, AL
• Size: 2 bedrooms (sleeps 4), 2 full baths
• Price: $304/night
• Amenities: Fenced-in patio, gas fire pit, pool
• Ratings: 5.0 stars

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This idyllic escape along the Emerald Coast is just the perfect spot to call home for a few days. The outdoor pool is a big selling point for this rental, as well as the outdoor showers and private beach access. There is a washer/dryer in this rental, which is great for doing a last-minute load so you don’t bring home any sand.

5. Waterfront Lake House, Little Kowaliga

• Location: Little Kowaliga, AL
• Size: 3 bedrooms (sleeps 10), 2 full baths
• Price: $300/night
• Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, TV, heat & air-conditioning, full kitchen, washer & dryer, fireplace, grill, two kayaks
• Ratings: 4.8 stars

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Your own private lake house on Lotts slough with room for multiple boats, a swimming dock, and all of your favorite water activities. If your family loves lake living this wonderful rental property will certainly be a vacation to remember. You are fewer than 20 miles from Montgomery but it feels like an oasis on the lake away from it all. Wind Creek State Park is only nine miles away for hiking, biking, and access to Lake martin.

6. Sea Glass, Gulf Shores

• Location: Gulf Shores, AL
• Size: 8 bedrooms (sleeps 22), 9 baths
• Price: $1,596/night
• Amenities: Wi-Fi, heat & air conditioning, chef's kitchen, washer & dryer, grill, swimming pool
• Rating: 5.0 stars

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If you are looking for the premier rental on Alabama's Gulf Coast, Sea Glass will tickle your fancy. Start putting together your list of 20 friends and family members who deserve to join you on one of the best beach vacations you can imagine. With a heated private swimming pool or your own boardwalk to the white sand beaches you've got options for fun in the sun. Enjoy a short walk to the popular Gulf Shores Beach, or, if you visit toward the end of May the Hangout Music Festival is only about three miles down the beach. Lagoon Pass, which has some of the best fishing in the area is only a few hundred yards down the beach as well.

7. Beach House, Gulf Shores

• Location: Gulf Shores, AL
• Size: 4 bedrooms (sleeps 10), 3 baths
• Price: $500/night
• Amenities: Full-size laundry room, private in-ground pool, volleyball court
• Ratings: 5 stars

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Enjoy a beachfront holiday at this dreamy beach house in Gulf Shores. With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, you can bet there’s plenty of space for everyone. Private beach volleyball courts aren’t a feature you see very often, but that’s just one of the reasons to love this place! The whole squad will have a blast here.

Best Romantic Places to Stay in Alabama for Couples

Whether it's a romantic spot on the coast, a private lakefront cottage, or even a luxury hotel in Point Clear or Fairhope, Alabama has a surprising number of diverse romantic getaways available. Here are two charming rentals that would be perfect for some private time alone with that special someone.

8. A-Frame Cabin, Valley Grand

• Location: Valley Grand, AL
• Size: 3 bedrooms (sleeps 8), 3.5 baths
• Price: $248/night
• Amenities: Geometric pool, secluded three acres
• Ratings: 5 stars

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This groovy A-frame cabin in Valley Grand is a carefully preserved and renovated cabin from the 1970s that’s tucked away in a woodsy setting. The wood-burning fireplace is ideal for winter travels, and the outdoor pool is always a delight during the summer months.

9. Tiny Home, Muscle Shoals

• Location: Muscle Shoals, AL
• Size: 1 bedroom (sleeps 2), 1 bath
• Price: $167/night
• Amenities: Waterfront and secluded, two bicycles and two kayaks provided
• Ratings: 5 stars

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This woodsy rental is perfect for couples who want to unplug and reconnect in a natural setting. There is no television in the rental (there is a projector), so prepare to spend your days enjoying the rental’s main highlight: Wilson Lake. There are two kayaks provided so you can paddle around, as well as two bicycles for land-based adventures.

10. Bass-kin on the River, Baldwin County

• Location: Baldwin County, AL
• Size: 1 bedroom (sleeps 2), 1 full bath
• Price: $161/night
• Amenities: Wi-Fi, heat & air conditioning, full kitchen, grill, kayaks, fishing gear, fire pit
• Rating: 5.0 stars

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Bass-kin on the River is a cool tiny home with a pretty fabulous location right on the quiet corner of Fish River. Everything you need for a fun couple's getaway is included: fishing gear, kayaks, and a beautiful spot on the lake. Because couples that fish together stay together - that's the saying isn't it? If you want to spice things up a bit head to Fairhope for shops and restaurants which is only about 17 minutes away. Or, head to the coast for a little sandy beach action. You'll hit the coast after a 38 minute drive.

11. Creekside Cabin, Florence

• Location: Florence, AL
• Size: Studio, 1 bath
• Price: $163/night
• Amenities: Heated floors, fire pit, outdoor bath
• Ratings: 5 stars

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Get away from it all with a stay in this rustic cabin in Florence, Alabama. The cabin was built in 2022 and handcrafted by the owner’s family, and boy did they knock it out of the park! The outdoor tub is a fabulous addition. What a wonderful way to connect with nature! This rental is also pet-friendly, and we love that.

12. Shipping Container, Collinsville

• Location: Collinsville, AL
• Size: 1 bedroom (sleeps 2), 1 bath
• Price: $189/night
• Amenities: Incredible views, hot tub, fire pit
• Ratings: 5 stars

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You’ll find it hard to leave this amazing Airbnb in Collinsville, Alabama, that’s for sure! Perched perfectly on a hillside, you’ll have sensational views of Lookout Mountain plus plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing. The sunsets here are top tier, and the private hot tub is the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy them from.

Best Places to Stay in Mobile

Southern Alabama beach life at its finest awaits near Mobile. Orange Beach on the coast is a popular summer hang out, Mobile Bay has scenic views for days, the botanical gardens west of downtown Mobile are a stunning pop of color, or you can enjoy a slice of history by staying at in one of many historic homes in Alabama.

With all of the fun things to do near Mobile, you need a place to crash at night - these two are some of the best places to stay in Alabama.

13. Historic Cottage, Mobile

• Location: Mobile, AL
• Size: 3 bedrooms (sleeps 5), 1.5 baths
• Price: $223/night
• Amenities: Pet friendly, close to downtown
• Ratings: 5 stars

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Perfectly nestled close to downtown Mobile, you’ll love your stay at this historic cottage in mid-town. The home was built in 1897 and still maintains that charming character, which we love. You’ll still be able to appreciate modern touches, including a full kitchen and fast Wi-Fi.

14. Doctor's Orders, Dauphin Island

• Location: Dauphin Island, AL
• Size: 5 bedrooms (sleeps 18), 4 full baths
• Price: $302/night
• Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, TV, full kitchen, washer & dryer, grill, hot tub
• Ratings: 4.9 stars

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Skip the long walk or drive to the beach in this beautiful rental because you are right on the beach! This is the ultimate multi-family beach getaway with 3,030 square feet of beach house paradise. Fall asleep to the sound of the ocean right below your bedroom and wake up to a soak in the private hot tub overlooking the beach and that enchanting Gulf Coast salty air.

Best Places to Stay in Hoover

Just a handful of miles from downtown Birmingham and all the action of city life lies Hoover. A charming suburb of the big city close enough to the action, yet far enough out so you can enjoy some peace and quiet.

If you are looking for unique accommodation in Alabama we have two rental options for you that will surprise and delight you near Hoover.

15. Golf Lover's Getaway, Sand Ridge

• Location: Sand Ridge, AL
• Size: 2 bedrooms (sleeps 4), 3 baths
• Price: $350/night
• Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, TV, full kitchen, washer & dryer, grill, pool table, private chef, spa and swimming pool at Ross Bridge Resort
• Ratings: 5.0 stars

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This is the ultimate vacation rental for those that like to swing those golf clubs as you are right on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and a mile and a half from the Ross Bridge Golf Resort. You even have your own private 1,500-square-foot putting green! If you have a large group, the hosts have three rentals on the same street all with amazing golf course views.

16. Rustic 1800s Cabin, Shelby County

• Location: Shelby County, AL
• Size: 3 bedrooms (sleeps 10), 3 baths
• Price: $306/night
• Amenities: Wi-Fi, TV, full kitchen, washer & dryer, grill, fireplace, wood-burning stove, pet-friendly
• Ratings: 4.8 stars

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Technically not in Hoover (it's about 15 miles out), but too unique to pass up is this authentic early 1800s cabin that was moved from Tennessee and rebuilt with modern conveniences. Forty acres of peaceful land with horses, longhorn cows, goats, and chickens roaming free with a stocked fishing pond ready for your fishing line. Even though you feel like you are out in the country you are still close to restaurants, wineries, and some great shopping in Hoover at the Riverchase Galleria.

17. Apartment, Birmingham

• Location: Birmingham, AL
• Size: 1 bedroom (sleeps 3), 1 bath
• Price: $145/night
• Amenities: Incredible views, washer/dryer, close to downtown
• Ratings: 4.96 stars

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Would you believe you can get views like this just 10 minutes from downtown Birmingham? This apartment is perfect for a pair of adventurers who want to be away from the city lights…but not too far away. From the breathtaking views to its convenient location, you can have the best of both worlds when you book a stay here.

If you've been wondering where to stay in Alabama, we hope you now have a few ideas to inspire you to take that much-needed vacation to one of these wonderful destinations. With so many fantastic rentals in the state, and so many scenic areas to explore, it's hard to pick the best places to stay in Alabama - but we took a good shot at it. If you've discovered any more unique places to stay please share them with a comment.

While you are visiting this fine state, be sure to check out some of these interesting things to do in Alabama like the U.S. Space & Rocket Center or the Birmingham Zoo.