My husband and I stayed at the Drury on our way down to Gulf Shores a few weeks ago. We checked in late, around midnight, so we had to get security to let us in. There wasn't enough parking, so we had to park at the steakhouse next door. The room was very clean and the bathroom had nice tile everywhere. The king bed was awesome. Just what we needed after a long day of driving. The breakfast was good with a lot of hot foods like eggs and bacon. The staff was very friendly as well. We didn't have time to swim, but the pool looked very clean. Overall, a great stay.

After leaving another establishment in Birmingham, we welcomed the hotel change. This establishment was clean and spacious (King Jaccuzi Suite). Complimentary breakfast was delicious. Only problem, the refrigerator was broken. I informed the staff that I had some items that required refrigeration and requested that someone check on it. After one call to the front desk attendant, Jonita, and one visit downstairs to speak with her, someone finally came to check on the refrigerator. It was determined that it was not working. When I requested that someone replace it (a small collegiate style dorm room refrigerator) with another one from another vacant room, I was told that the maintenance crew was not working. Jonita stated that she could swap out the refrigerator, but she wasn't going to lift it up. Rhonda couldn't because she had neck surgery. After about an hour, staff called to say that they would move us to another room. Rather that awake my sleeping significant other (exhausted from the long trip) to get him to move the refrigerator, I went downstairs and informed staff that I would move the refrigerator myself instead of allowing my items to expire. Needless to say they were pretty shocked that a tiny little lady would move it. At least my food items (chocolate covered strawberries and apples with nuts and coconut from Edible Arrangements- which were more important than the other food items -wink) did not expire. Needless to say, this was my second stay at one of the Drury Inn hotels at each I had problems with getting problems resolved by staff personnel, but I would still recommended it for its spaciousness (1st visit King Executive Suite, 2nd visit King Jaccuzi suite) and cleanliness. Great place to stay just don't expect the staff to resolve any problems should such arise.

The hotel overall was okay. We booked a suite with a decent bathroom. The furniture was dated and old looking but it was the horrible beds that made our stay so terrible!!! I don't think I've ever slept on a more uncomfortable bed. We were there for 3 nights and I dreaded going to sleep everynight. Bed was mushy and the sheets and pillows were horrible.

the kids enjoyed the pool area.

the breakfast was near inedible with reconstituted scrambled eggs. We will try a different hotel next time we're in B'ham.

The King Suite was wonderful and the hotel, about 2 1/2 years old as of this writing, was immaculate and overflowing with extras. We paid about $150 a night for the Suite however it was very large with a tiled bathroom with a jacuzzi, a stand up shower, and two sinks. The King bed was very, very comfortable and our son loved the sofa bed. He also liked that we had two TV's so he could watch cartoons while we watched what we wanted.

The lobby is large and pretty with a fireplace and lots of room to eat breakfast. Wonderful smelling and tasting popcorn was served every afternoon. The ice machine was new and functional.

The services or free extras (though I suppose you really are paying for them with the hefty room price) are:

*Free hot breakfast with sausage, eggs and waffles. Also had bagels and cereal as well.
*Free high speed internet in all rooms.
*FREE long distance for one hour every night.
*Free high speed internet in the lobby.
*Though we are not drinkers and didn't particularly care for the evening beverages being served, free beverages are served from 5:30 to 7:00 if that is what you are into.

Furthermore, this hotel has a heated indoor/outdoor pool that is very nice. Also has a hot tub.

Need to eat out? Lone Star Restaurant is adjacent with O'Charley's next to it. Many other eating joints are close by. Why, there's even a Wal-Mart across the road! What more could anyone want?

The hotel is located just off Interstate I-65 and is about 10 miles or so from Hoover where the Barons play. I think the SEC Baseball tournament is to be played there in 2007.

For the business traveler (Wachovia is withing walking distance), there was a Kinko's across the street and the lobby has a decent business area with the aforementioned internet and copying machines.

I tried to come up with a negative about this hotel and I suppose the only thing I can say is that it was unseasonably cold while we were there. Okay, okay, so they can't control the weather. They do a good job with everything else, though.

Well, it just hit me that one elevator was not working the day we left. So there's your con. Anyway, if you need to be in this area, this would be a great place to stay.