Latest news with #NationalShrimpFestival
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Embassy Suites by Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort Opens on the Alabama Gulf Coast
ATLANTA & GULF SHORES, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Embassy Suites by Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort ('Embassy Suites Gulf Shores'), a full-service resort-style hotel located along Alabama's renowned white sand beaches, officially opened its doors today. Developed by Peachtree Group, Woodbine Development Corporation and DD Partners LLC, the eight-story, all-suite hotel brings a beachfront experience to Gulf Shores, featuring sweeping Gulf views, distinctive food and beverage options and resort-style amenities. Peachtree Group, Woodbine Development Corporation and DD Partners LLC announced the grand opening of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort. Share "We're thrilled to open this landmark project in the heart of Gulf Shores," said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO at Peachtree Group. "With its irreplaceable beachfront location, resort-style amenities and vibrant gathering spaces, Embassy Suites Gulf Shores Beach Resort is designed to be a centerpiece for visitors and the community alike." For Friedman, the project carries personal meaning. 'I spent a lot of summers and school breaks in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores as a child,' he said. 'It's special to come full circle and have a hand in creating a place where more people can enjoy this incredible destination and where locals can benefit from the new restaurants, amenities and gathering spaces.' Located at 112 West Beach Blvd., the Embassy Suites Gulf Shores features 257 all-suite guestrooms, most of which offer direct Gulf views. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining, drinks and live entertainment throughout the resort. Sound Wave, the signature open-air venue perched above the beach, offers daily live music, sweeping views and an energetic atmosphere. The space features a state-of-the-art sound system and an extensive menu of food and drinks. The Cove Bar, a poolside retreat, serves refreshing cocktails, light bites and a relaxing escape from the resort's busier areas. Tide & Table blends coastal dining with Southern-inspired cuisine in a casual yet refined setting. The three-meal restaurant, situated just above street level, offers stunning water views and a grand indoor-outdoor bar with a laid-back, welcoming ambiance. The hotel also offers 13,620 square feet of enclosed meeting and pre-function space, anchored by a 7,800-square-foot ballroom, making it an ideal venue for conferences, weddings and special events. A three-story parking garage and more than 7,600 square feet of retail space, including a Starbucks, complete the property's offerings. The hotel's opening comes as Gulf Shores continues to grow as a top tourism and events destination. Situated steps from popular attractions like the Hangout Music Festival, National Shrimp Festival and NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships, Embassy Suites Gulf Shores offers easy access to Gulf State Park, the Wharf at Orange Beach, championship golf courses and Foley's Sports Complex. "Our vision was to create a hotel that adds to the energy and vibrancy of Gulf Shores, a place where visitors can relax, celebrate and experience everything the destination has to offer," Friedman said. "We believe Embassy Suites Gulf Shores will quickly become a favorite for both leisure travelers and the meetings and events community." Embassy Suites Gulf Shores ( will be managed by Peachtree Group's hospitality division, known for its expertise in hospitality operations across the U.S. "We're honored to welcome guests to Embassy Suites Gulf Shores Beach Resort and grateful to be part of this welcoming community," said Adam Bailey, general manager of Embassy Suites Gulf Shores. "From thoughtful design and resort-style amenities to the beachfront location, every detail of the hotel reflects the spirit of Gulf Shores. We're pleased to offer an experience unavailable anywhere else on Alabama's coast." This opening further underscores Peachtree Group's track record of developing distinctive hotels in high-demand markets. A multi-year winner of Hilton's Developer of the Year award, Peachtree Group has earned recognition for its consistent delivery of exceptional hotels and best-in-class guest experiences across its growing portfolio. About Peachtree Group Peachtree Group is a vertically integrated investment management firm specializing in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in dislocated markets, anchored by commercial real estate. Today, the company manages billions in capital across acquisitions, development and lending, augmented by services designed to protect, support and grow its investments. For more information, visit About Embassy Suites by Hilton Embassy Suites by Hilton, one of Hilton's 18 market-leading brands, is dedicated to delivering what matters most to travelers. The full service, upscale brand offers both leisure and business travelers an approachable, best-in-class experience with two-room suites, free made-to-order breakfast, inviting open atriums, 24-hour fitness centers and a complimentary evening reception. Embassy Suites by Hilton offers nearly 260 open hotels with 42 properties in development. Experience a positive stay at Embassy Suites by Hilton by booking at or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Embassy Suites by Hilton at and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
19 Baldwin County restaurants claiming imported shrimp is locally sourced: report
GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG) — An investigation into the Baldwin County restaurant scene and shrimp served has been finalized, leading to the finding of 19 restaurants making false claims, has learned. Baldwin County home listings rise 10%, sales prices up 7% According to a SeaD Consulting news release, the Southern Shrimp Alliance commissioned the group to genetically analyze shrimp dishes at 44 restaurants in the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley areas. This investigation into the restaurants began after genetic testing of shrimp at the 2024 National Shrimp Festival, which found that four out of five vendors , according to the release. The consulting group found that 25 of the 44 restaurants serve 'authentic Gulf wild-caught shrimp,' while 19 serve imported shrimp, claiming their shrimp was locally sourced. The group said they also found that the seven 'boil houses' were serving authentic, local shrimp. 'It's disheartening to see both festival vendors and local restaurants misleading consumers,' said the President of the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama, Ernie Anderson. 'Our shrimpers work tirelessly to provide high-quality, sustainable seafood. 'When establishments misrepresent their offerings, it undermines our industry and deceives the public.' Specially trained nurses now caring for sexual assault victims in Baldwin County The study found these restaurants to be serving locally sourced shrimp: Acme Oyster House Baumhower's Victory Grille Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails Blalock Seafood & Specialty Market Bubba's Seafood House Cotton's Restaurant Coastal Orange Beach De Soto's Seafood Kitchen Doc's Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar Duck's Diner Fish River Grill Flying Harpoon Foley Fish Company Fresh Seafood Market Gelato Joe's Italian Restaurant & Bar Gulf Bowl & Captain's Choice Gulf Shores Seafood King Neptune's Seafood Restaurant Lartigue's Fresh & Steamed Seafood Local and Company Food+Drink LuLu's Gulf Shores Moe's Original BBQ Picnic Beach Bar & Grill Rouses Market S&S Seafood Market Foley native Julio Jones retires from NFL News 5 is sharing SeaD's results after the group studied numbered, not named, samples, to prevent bias, according to a spokesperson. Unmentioned restaurants may be serving locally sourced shrimp, but may not have been included in this study. SeaD provided an overview of the findings, but not the full test results, upon request. According to the release, the 19 restaurants that misrepresent their shrimp will be urged to align their practices with Alabama labeling laws. There will also be follow-up testing. 'We only publicize the names of the restaurants who are supporting the local shrimping industry first, and will send letters to those restaurants found to be misrepresenting so they can address the issue and ensure it's not a supplier problem,' a SeaD Consulting spokesperson said in a statement to News 5. 'The names are also given to local authorities for review and enforcement.' Alabama enacted the Seafood Labeling Law in May 2024, which mandates that 'restaurants and retailers disclose the country of origin and whether seafood is wild-caught or farm-raised.' The release said penalties for violating the law include warnings and fines up to $1,000, but the Alabama Department of Public Health had been inconsistent in enforcing the law. 'Until more enforcement is in place, Gulf Shores area residents and visitors are urged to stay vigilant and ask for the country of origin of shrimp when served at restaurants, and if in doubt, demand proof of local sourcing by asking to see the box the shrimp came in,' read the release. Baldwin County Strawberry Festival warns of online vendor scams For this year's National Seafood festival, vendors must sell local wild-caught shrimp, and fines will be issued for vendors who do not comply, but it is unclear how this will be enforced. 'The U.S. shrimp industry is facing a crisis. Many of our competitors farm-raise their shrimp using forced labor, banned antibiotics, and have received billions in international development funding,' said John Williams, executive director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. 'American fishermen harvest premium-quality shrimp that grow naturally in abundant quantities right here in our local waters. Consumers want it. They prefer it. But, they cannot find it easily due to false advertising,' he said. Neil Costes contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
