We stayed in a two queen room in July 2012. Our group consisted of my wife and I and our two kids. The exterior was clean and new in appearance. The lobby was also very clean and the check-in was quick and efficient. The front desk employee was very friendly.

Our room was very spacious and clean. The bathroom was clean and large. The beds were very comfortable, as were the pillows. The room had a flat screen TV, refrigerator and microwave. Absolutely no complaints about the room at all.

The continental breakfast was very large and the selection was great. They offered waffles, sausage, eggs, four kinds of cereal, bagels, mini cinnamon rolls, danish pastries, biscuits and gravy, coffee, yogurt and juice. All the food was fresh and tasted good.

The only complaint(if you can call it that) was that the room the indoor pool was in was HOT! There was air blowing out of the vents, but it was not air conditioned. It was merely recycling the same hot air. It must have been at least 90 degrees in that room. Luckily, there was a door that you could prop open to an outside patio and I was able to go out there to get fresh evening air while my kids were swimming. This was the only "problem" we encountered and it was a trivial one at that.

I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone staying in the Birmingham area as an overnighter or a longer stay. I would definitely stay here again if I am in the area again.

We stayed in the local Days Inn last time and thought maybe this hotel would offer a little nicer accommodation. For the difference in cost, we found several smaller things added up to disappointment.

1) Breakfast - was just ok. Eggs looked like pre-frozen patties (yes, patties) someone put in a microwave or steamer. Waffle machine was decent. Pastries were average. Coffee was pretty good. Holiday Inn has been my long time favorite for breakfast buffet's and this didn't even come close.

2) King room was more $$ so we went for a queen room with two beds (odd right?). The first two nights we stayed in one bed that was so saggy we felt like we were going to roll out of the bed. On the third, we switched to the other queen and felt it was in better shape.

3) Shower went back and forth between hot and super cold. Next day my husband mentioned it happened again, then I got in the shower and got it yet again. I called and asked them if they knew of the issue, which they did not. Offered to look at it the next day.

4) Wifi went out. Called the front desk again. They had no idea it was out. Was able to dig out a cable and plug into the wall, which was working.

5) AC unit has dials for low / high cool / heat etc with a dial for intensity of 1-9. We are on our last day and have tried all sort of combos and either feel we are frying or freezing. Plus it is odd and will sometimes turn on for maybe 10 seconds at a time. Maybe move to the modern age and get a thermostat?

6) Staff were friendly when we did talk to them. When I did ask them about misc things etc they were prompt and attentive.

7) Pool and hot tub were very nice. Pool area was extremely hot due to the hot tub, but opening the door helped.

The hotel itself feels more upscale with the paint job, art and nicer decor, but they are falling behind on the fundamentals that made the hotel nicer to start with. I can now see why people spring for the Hampton or just go to the Days Inn. I don't plan on coming back here.

Saw a special on tv with best western ceo and the chains commitment to cleanliness. We thought we would try it out. The hotel was only 6 years old so it had a newness feel. The rooms were clean ans we got a good deal directly from the bw site. This was a 5 star until breakfast. It was a full breakfast ((waffles eggs, sausage). However the food was cold and not good. Hopefully it was a bad day.

We stay here at least twice a year with our 10-lb. dog. We ask for the same room each time - it is roomy, clean and best of all - not a bit of smoke odor. The beds are so comfortable, we usually sleep late (curtains keep room dark as night). I do wish they'd keep breakfast out past 9 a.m.! I recommend this hotel!