I have NOTHING but GOOD things to say about this hotel. The staff were the most cordial people, very accommodating. The complimentary shuttle bus (actually just a nice car) would drive us anywhere we wished and both drivers gave great desciptions of the city. I was in walking distance (and I had a boot cast on) to ANY kind of food I could crave as well as a convenience store and an organic grocery. I could see the base of the Appalachian Mountains from our room, and I felt very safe (and I say this as a young female) walking the streets to where I needed to go (not that I would go wandering at night --- but I wouldn't do that anywhere, really). Yes, the hotel is older, but that is its charm! Nothing felt antiquated, just cozy. I would STRONGLY recommend this hotel to ANYONE staying in Birmingham.

I read the other reviews of the PIckwick before arriving there because I knew we were going to be in one of its suites for 12 - count them! - 12 days! I was a bit apprehensive but now on the 12th night I can say that this was a fine place to stay. Fancy? No. An older hotel with somewhat shabby furniture and really strange art work, but...the bed was very comfortable, the suite was large enough to host about 15 people at a wine and cheese gathering, the maid service was adequate and cooperative and no, this isn't a Hilton, but it's a neat location at the Five Points District within walking distance of a wide variety of very fine restaurants. Afternoon wine and cheese complimentary. Not much Birmingham literature available but the staff is very friendly and helpful. Yes there are panhandlers in the area because the area Methodist church provides a soup kitchen but the Birmingham police monitor carefully and I was impressed with their easy-going but effective way of talking with these folks. The breakfast room has received what I consider a bum rap from prior reviewers......ok, there's no fresh fruit, but there are plenty of other options. The fitness room consists of two treadmills and another step-thing that I don't know the name of. They had to open it every morning for me because apparently it gets little use......but it certainly met my needs. Yes, a pool would have been nice, but they don't have one....so deal with it! I don't know if I would feel so positively if we had been in a standard room. I visited friends who were in one and came back saying I think 12 days there would have been intolerable........just much too small for more than one night. So go for one of the suites......the price is certainly right! And yes, one prior reviewer noted cigarette smoke smell on the parking level and that's true........but how long is one going to linger there? And the parking - bless them! - is free!!!! I thought free was dead! One final thing..........the web site shows a horse-drawn carriage. In 12 days we never saw one such carriage anywhere in the city!

We like this hotel because it's within walking distance to a fine restaurant, the Highlands Bar and Grill. It's also convenient to downtown and the university and medical center. There's free parking in a covered garage. Our king suite was spacious and quiet- a good value at $90.00. The staff is helpful but don't expect doormen, porters etc. They do provide a shuttle service to the area. A few negatives: the garage lobby (not the main lobby) has an awful smell of cigarrette smoke, the free breakfst is limited, and the decor needs a little updating. Overall though, we recommend this quiet small hotel.

The Pickwick is located in a great area but has some major problems. The rooms need to be updated. The mattress was so thin it felt like a sofabed mattress.
The chair was torn on the arm.The thermostat did not work. The room was like a sauna. This could be a neat hotel if the owners would spend a little money fixing it up. The commplimentary shuttle(car) was nice to use. We went to a concert at the BJCC and it took us right to the front door. Wonderful restaurants within walking distance. Free parking in parking deck.