With 319 boat slip rentals at its large harbor, the Gulfport, Mississippi shoreline is the go-to spot for folks to park watercraft between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. But the coastline of Mississippi's second largest city isn't only of interest to boaters. The city's warm water, sandy beaches and humid subtropical climate beckon travelers coming from land as well as by sea.
Steps from Gulfport's sandy beachfront, Courtyard Marriott hosts 143 rooms and five suites spread over five floors. Maintain your workout routine in the fitness room before relaxing in the hotel's sauna. Kids enjoy cooling off in the seasonal outdoor swimming pool. No pets nor smoking are allowed at the hotel. The Courtyard Marriott's seven meeting rooms with wireless Internet make it an ideal spot for business travelers who want to be near the beach but not far from work.
Kick back in one of the Island View Hotel's 565 rooms after spending an evening in the hotel's on-site casino. The hotel is on West Beach Boulevard, right on the beach. Downstairs, Island View hosts blackjack, craps and roulette tables as well as almost 2,000 slot machines. Upstairs, the hotel offers rooms equipped with pillow-top mattresses, flat LCD televisions, small refrigerators and free wireless Internet. In addition to the hotel, the casino also hosts several on-site restaurant and bars, some of which offer nightly music performances.
Only the two-lane West Beach Boulevard separates Wingate from white sandy beach that extends to the Gulf. Spend the evening in the hotel's outdoor pool, which overlooks the beachfront. In the morning, head down to the free breakfast buffet, before enjoying the on-site gym or using the free wireless Internet. Each room has a flat-screen television, microwave and refrigerator.
Two blocks from the beach, the Almanett Hotel and Bistro provides views of Gulfport's coastline from a number of their high-end modern suites. Room amenities vary from room to room, from a master suite featuring a fireplace and private balcony to a luxury cottage with a dining area and kitchen. On the first floor, the on-site bistro and bar offers a seafood-inspired menu for lunch and dinner, and an outdoor patio overlooking the ocean.
