This hotel is being updated. If you get a new room I think it is fine. Be sure to ask for it. We had an old one that was in desperate need!!
Ice makers were not working on floors 3,4,5,8. It is an 8 story hotel.
The hotel resturaunt in Ruth's Chris Steak House, which is fine if you want to spend $150.00 for dinner.

A family member suggested this hotel for a family funeral as it was near to the cemetery and located at the edge of downtown and Homewood. We booked and were at first a bit shocked that it was apx $200 per nite during the week. When we arrived, we were very pleasantly surprised at how 'upscale' the hotel was. Large lobby, lots of greenery, and a tall atrium where all the hallways look over the center area where breakfast is served surrounded by a natural type koi pond. The room was very spacious with the typical living room and separate bedroom. I would have preferred 1 king instead of 2 doubles, but that was OK. The bathroom was spacious with a large granite vanity, including an extra vanity outside of the bathroom so you didn't have to share. There was also a large wetbar area in the livingroom which added up to the 3rd sink available to guests if needed for sharing. Internet access is available for $10 a day in the room, but free internet kiosks are also downstairs. The hotel restaurant is the very expensive Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, so if you want something more economical, there are plenty places fairly close by. We were thrilled to find out that the 'included' breakfast was not your typical 2 dry toasts and juice, but a full fledged breakfast including everything from yogurts, fruits, pastries to an omelet bar and everything in between. Best included breakfast I have ever seen! Another 'first' was the free 2 hour, happy hour also included in the cost of your stay. This included not just beer and wine, but mixed drinks as well, including a help yourself bar of 'munchies' to go with your drinks. All in all, even considering we were there for a funeral, it was a very pleasant stay. The hotel front desk staff was very nice and offered condolences when we checked in knowing we were there for a funeral. We were so comfortable that we actually decided to extend our stay by one night to visit longer with family members instead of rushing back. Glad we did. This is a great hotel and very nice experience under our circumstances.

We arrived prior to the scheduled check-in time of 3:00pm; however, the staff was able to accommodate us. The room was one of the few which had been upgraded. Although the aesthetics were pleasing to the eye, the bathroom upgrades were sloppy. The tubs definitely had not been upgraded and showed signs of many years of usage, including scratched tub liners and the shower heads were below par, allowing water to spray on the ceiling. There were signs of dripped paint, sloppy countertop seams and finishes, and dried adhesives on the surfaces of the floor and counter tops. The lights used in the bed room and bathroom emitted so much heat, we had to turn them off in order to stay cool. The air conditioning output could have been balanced more so that the air in the front of the living room balance with the bedroom. The best part of the stay was the complimentary breakfast, which included grits, sausage, bacon, frencht toast, pancakes, potatoes, cereal, a great selection of several coffees and juices. The manager's complimentary evening reception could have included more than chips and trail mix; however, since the drinks were complimentary, I couldn't complain much. My daughters really enjoyed the Shirley Temples and the bartender was very kind.

Birmingham is not rich in great hotels, therefore staying here was a choice based on necessity not preference. However, I was not uncomfortable during my stay in Feb 2007. Perhaps I came on a good weekend but noise was not an issue in my room. I was able to sleep as late as I needed and was not disturbed by either outside noise or housekeeping.

The bed was comfortable. Bathroom was dark and bathtub was very shallow but water pressure was strong. My biggest complaint with the room was that the TV was very small and hard to see from across the room in the bed.

I ordered room service from Ruth's Chris and it was prepared well and served in a timely manner. Didn't get breakfast downstairs, although it was included. Lobby and room were very clean.