Orange Beach is one of many towns along the Gulf Coast to entice visitors with its white sandy beaches, shimmering emerald waters and rolling Rosemary dunes. This rich coastal landscape has evolved over the years, from its early days as a citrus paradise to its current prominence as a sport fishing haven and family vacation destination. Along the way, Orange Beach has maintained much of its natural landscape with the help and stewardship of the local community. It’s this community presence and engagement that makes a perfect neighborhood setting for the Hotel Indigo brand in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Immediately upon entering the Hotel Indigo Orange Beach, guests are greeted by a trio of installations that evoke the magnitude of the Gulf. To one side is a mesmerizing wall of blue green scalloped tiles that resemble fish scales, in front of which sits the reception desk. To the other side is a rope screen, comprised of closely configured, taut vertical segments of ship rope. Overhead, the room comes together in a stylized inverted ship’s hull, created by a series of curved teak rafters and long center beam that extend from the entrance to the doors that lead to the beach.

The bar embodies a more nautical theme, with elements like the custom bar top, made of concrete and oyster shells, that is surrounded by upholstered blue-green captain’s chairs. A custom glass globe pendant light, hand-blown by artisans of Orange Beach, hangs above a communal table. Elsewhere, a series of cozy boat booths line one wall of the lounge and follow the flow of traffic to the restaurant.

Playful elements take on a greater role as guests enter the more private areas of the hotel and function as a reminder that this is a place for relaxation and recreation. Guest rooms are vaguely reminiscent of a vintage ship voyage, with iron beds and upholstered orange headboards that offer a glamorous take on a standard issue life vest. Wall murals feature photos of the sunken cars that create one of the world’s largest artificial reefs off the coast of Orange Beach. Bathrooms are tastefully sparse and feature blue and white tiles with chrome accents and vessel sinks.