A 56-foot cast-iron statue of Vulcan, the Roman god of the forge, stands on Red Mountain and looks down over Birmingham, the largest cast-iron statue in the world and a reminder that this city was built on iron and steel. Below it sits a compact downtown holding the Birmingham Civil Rights District, a cluster of museums and theaters, and a fast-growing food and brewery scene. Where you sleep shapes how much of that you can reach on foot, and the best Birmingham hotels put you a short walk or a quick drive from the parts you came for. This ranked guide covers seven stays, from a restored 1925 landmark to an all-suite pick beside the ballpark, with the locations, amenities, and honest trade-offs that set them apart. Each one is matched to a specific kind of traveler so you can book with less guesswork.
The 7 best Birmingham hotels at a glance
- Redmont Hotel Birmingham, Curio Collection by Hilton, best for historic downtown character: a 1925 landmark with a rooftop terrace in the heart of downtown.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham-Downtown-Tutwiler, best for free breakfast in a landmark building: a hot morning spread inside the century-old Tutwiler.
- The Kelly Birmingham, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, best for boutique design: pillowtop beds and city views in a restored 1928 tower.
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Birmingham Downtown, best for suite space near Railroad Park: kitchenette studios steps from the green space and ballpark.
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Birmingham Downtown Near UAB, best for longer stays near UAB: full kitchens, an indoor pool, and a hot breakfast.
- Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB, best for business travel and events: the largest property here, with meeting space and an airport shuttle.
- Comfort Inn & Suites at CrossPlex Village, best for budget and free parking: a value pick beside the Birmingham CrossPlex.
| Hotel | Best for | Neighborhood | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmont Hotel, Curio Collection | Historic character, rooftop terrace | Downtown, ~10-min walk to the Museum of Art | Upscale |
| Hampton Inn & Suites Tutwiler | Free hot breakfast | Downtown, ~4-min walk to the Museum of Art | Mid-range |
| The Kelly, Tapestry Collection | Boutique design | Downtown, steps from Heaviest Corner on Earth | Upper mid-range |
| Home2 Suites Downtown | Suites with a kitchenette | Southside, ~2-min walk to Railroad Park | Mid-range |
| Homewood Suites Near UAB | Extended stays, full kitchens | Near the UAB campus | Upper mid-range |
| Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB | Business and events | Steps from UAB Health System | Upscale |
| Comfort Inn & Suites CrossPlex | Budget, free parking | Five Points West, by the CrossPlex | Budget |
You can compare current Birmingham stays to check live availability for your dates as you read.
1. Redmont Hotel Birmingham, Curio Collection by Hilton, best for historic downtown character
Open since 1925, the Redmont is the oldest operating hotel in the city and wears its age well after a full restoration. Fourteen floors of guestrooms sit above a marble lobby, and the rooftop terrace is a genuine rarity downtown, giving you a place to watch the skyline with a drink in hand. Harvest Restaurant & Bar handles meals on the ground floor, and a coffee shop covers early starts. The location is the real draw: you are within a 10-minute walk of the Birmingham Museum of Art, the convention complex, and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, with the Civil Rights sites a few blocks north.
Why it makes the list: a fully restored 1925 landmark with a rooftop terrace, in the most central downtown position of any pick here.
Key features:
- Rooftop terrace with skyline views
- Harvest Restaurant & Bar plus an on-site coffee shop
- 24-hour fitness center
- Free WiFi and concierge service
- Suites up to a presidential layout with a jetted tub
- Valet parking (surcharge)
Rates: upscale downtown pricing; to-go breakfast and valet parking are add-ons rather than included.
Pros:
- Walkable to museums, theaters, and the convention center
- Distinctive historic building with modern rooms
- Rooftop terrace you will not find at most downtown hotels
Cons:
- Parking is valet only, at a daily charge
- No pets (service animals are welcome)
- Older building means some rooms vary in size
2. Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham-Downtown-Tutwiler, best for free breakfast in a landmark
Set inside the century-old Tutwiler building, this Hampton Inn & Suites blends a 1914 shell with the dependable comforts of the brand. The headline perk is the complimentary hot buffet breakfast, which cuts the cost of a downtown trip when you are out sightseeing all day. Rooms and one-bedroom suites overlook the city or a quiet interior courtyard, and a handful add balconies or fireplaces. You are about a 4-minute walk from the Birmingham Museum of Art and close to the 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, and McWane Science Center, so most of the downtown itinerary is on foot.
Why it makes the list: a free hot breakfast and suite options inside a restored 1914 landmark, a short walk from the Civil Rights District.
Key features:
- Complimentary hot buffet breakfast
- One-bedroom suites with separate sitting areas
- Some rooms with balconies or fireplaces
- Fitness center and six meeting rooms
- Pet-friendly (fee applies)
- Valet parking (surcharge)
Rates: mid-range, and the included breakfast improves the real value versus rivals that charge for it.
Pros:
- Free hot breakfast saves money downtown
- Steps from the Museum of Art and Civil Rights sites
- Spacious suites for the price band
Cons:
- Parking is valet only
- Historic layout means room shapes vary
3. The Kelly Birmingham, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, best for boutique design
Housed in a 1928 tower at the corner locals call the Heaviest Corner on Earth, The Kelly is the most design-forward stay on this list. Rooms run larger than the downtown norm and come with pillowtop beds, down duvets, and big flat-screen TVs, and city-view rooms look out over the old commercial core. There is a restaurant and bar on site, a 24-hour gym, express check-in, and mobile keys for a low-friction arrival. McWane Science Center, the Alabama Theatre, and Railroad Park are all within a short walk, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham is roughly 15 minutes on foot.
Why it makes the list: a genuinely boutique restoration with premium bedding and one of the strongest guest ratings among these picks.
Key features:
- Pillowtop beds with premium bedding and down duvets
- City-view rooms and studio suites
- On-site restaurant and bar
- 24-hour fitness center
- Express check-in and mobile key
- Valet parking (surcharge)
Rates: upper mid-range; cooked-to-order breakfast is a paid add-on.
Pros:
- Stylish rooms that feel a step above the category
- Central to McWane, the Alabama Theatre, and Railroad Park
- Contactless, cashless arrival
Cons:
- Valet-only parking, no self-park option
- Breakfast costs extra
- Briefly closed for a scheduled two-day refresh in mid-May 2026, so check your dates if you travel then
The Kelly offers valet parking only, and downtown street parking is limited. If you are driving, budget for the daily valet or leave the car in a public deck a block or two away, then explore the downtown core on foot, since most of the sights sit within a few walkable blocks.
4. Home2 Suites by Hilton Birmingham Downtown, best for suite space near Railroad Park
Built in 2017, this all-suite Home2 Suites is the newest-feeling pick and the best choice if you want room to spread out on the Southside. Every studio and one-bedroom suite includes a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher, which suits families or anyone staying more than a night or two. There is an outdoor pool, a 24-hour gym, and a free continental breakfast to get you moving. The setting is a highlight: you are about a 2-minute walk from Railroad Park and close to Regions Field, home of the Birmingham Barons, with UAB Hospital and Children's of Alabama a few minutes away.
Why it makes the list: modern all-suite rooms with kitchenettes and an outdoor pool, right beside Railroad Park and the ballpark.
Key features:
- Studio and one-bedroom suites with kitchenettes
- Outdoor pool and 24-hour fitness center
- Free continental breakfast
- Pet-friendly (fee applies)
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Walkable to Railroad Park and Regions Field
Rates: mid-range, with kitchen access that helps cut food costs on longer trips.
Pros:
- Kitchenettes in every room
- Steps from Railroad Park and the Barons ballpark
- One of the newer buildings on this list
Cons:
- Continental breakfast rather than a hot buffet
- A little farther from the airport than the downtown-core hotels
5. Homewood Suites by Hilton Birmingham Downtown Near UAB, best for longer stays near UAB
If your trip is measured in nights rather than a single stay, Homewood Suites is built for it. Opened in 2016, every unit is a suite with a full kitchen, including a stovetop and oven, and deluxe layouts run genuinely large. Guests get a free hot breakfast, an indoor pool, a fitness center, a bar and lounge, and a grocery-shopping service to stock the kitchen. It earns one of the highest guest ratings in this group. The hotel sits near the UAB medical campus, within about a 15-minute walk of UAB Hospital and the university, which makes it a natural pick for patients, families, and academic visitors.
Why it makes the list: full-kitchen suites, a hot breakfast, and an indoor pool make it the strongest choice for extended or family stays near UAB.
Key features:
- All-suite rooms with full kitchens (stovetop and oven)
- Free full hot breakfast
- Indoor pool and fitness center
- Bar and lounge, plus a grocery-shopping service
- Pet-friendly (fee applies)
- Self parking (surcharge)
Rates: upper mid-range, and the full kitchen plus free breakfast pays off over multiple nights.
Pros:
- Full kitchens and roomy suites
- Among the highest-rated stays here
- Indoor pool, useful year-round
Cons:
- Farther from the downtown Civil Rights District than the core hotels
- Indoor pool keeps limited daytime hours
6. Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB, best for business travel and events
The largest property on this list, the Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB is a full-service hotel aimed squarely at business and event travelers. It carries a substantial block of meeting and conference space across nine rooms, plus wedding services, an on-site restaurant, and room service during set hours. A complimentary airport shuttle (available on request) and a free area shuttle within two miles ease the logistics, and there is a seasonal outdoor pool open May through October, a 24-hour gym, EV charging, and covered self parking. You are steps from UAB Health System and within a 10-minute walk of the university, with downtown attractions a short drive north.
Why it makes the list: the deepest meeting space and the only complimentary airport shuttle here, next door to the UAB campus.
Key features:
- Nine meeting rooms and a large conference footprint
- Complimentary airport shuttle on request
- Seasonal outdoor pool (May to October)
- 24-hour fitness center and on-site restaurant
- EV charging and covered self parking (surcharge)
- Pet-friendly (fee applies)
Rates: upscale, in line with a full-service four-star property.
Pros:
- Best equipped for meetings, conferences, and weddings
- Free airport and local-area shuttles
- Right beside the UAB medical and academic campus
Cons:
- Some rooms are reached via exterior corridors
- A car is recommended for exploring beyond the immediate area
7. Comfort Inn & Suites at CrossPlex Village, best for budget and free parking
For travelers watching the total, Comfort Inn & Suites at CrossPlex Village is the clear value pick. It sits in Five Points West, right beside the Birmingham CrossPlex, the indoor track and aquatics venue, which makes it the obvious base for anyone in town for a meet or tournament. Rooms and suites are larger than you might expect at this tier, with refrigerators, microwaves, and flat-screen TVs. Free self parking and a free grab-and-go breakfast are the money-savers, alongside a fitness center and a small business center. The trade-off is distance: downtown and UAB are roughly a 10-minute drive east, so a car helps.
Why it makes the list: the lowest price tier here, with free parking and free breakfast, and it is the only pick right next to the CrossPlex.
Key features:
- Free self parking
- Free grab-and-go breakfast
- Spacious rooms and suites with fridge and microwave
- Fitness center and business center
- Next to the Birmingham CrossPlex
- Meeting space for small groups
Rates: budget, and the free parking widens the gap versus downtown hotels that charge for valet.
Pros:
- Lowest nightly cost on this list
- Free parking and breakfast included
- Ideal for CrossPlex events
Cons:
- Farthest from downtown and the Civil Rights District
- You will want a car for sightseeing
- No pets (service animals are welcome)
How to choose among the best Birmingham hotels
Match the neighborhood to your plans
If your trip centers on the Civil Rights District, the Museum of Art, and downtown dining, the core picks win: the Redmont, the Tutwiler Hampton Inn, and The Kelly all put those sights within a few blocks. For anything tied to the university or the medical campus, the Hilton, Homewood Suites, and Home2 Suites sit closer to UAB. Choose the CrossPlex Comfort Inn only if your reason for the trip is the CrossPlex itself.
Weigh the real cost, not just the rate
A lower sticker price can flip once parking and breakfast are added. The Comfort Inn includes free self parking and breakfast, while the downtown Hilton properties often charge for valet, and a few make breakfast a paid extra. On a multi-night stay, the full kitchens at Homewood Suites or the kitchenettes at Home2 Suites can offset restaurant spending. If you would rather widen the search, you can also browse stays across the rest of Alabama.
Pick for your travel style
Business and event guests are best served by the Hilton, with its meeting rooms and airport shuttle. Families and longer stays lean toward Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites for the kitchens and pools. Design-minded and first-time visitors will enjoy the character of The Kelly or the Redmont, while budget travelers get the most room for the money at the Comfort Inn.
Book the Redmont or The Kelly if you want to walk to downtown and the Civil Rights District, choose Homewood Suites or Home2 Suites for family and extended stays with a kitchen near UAB, lean on the Hilton for meetings and an airport shuttle, and save with the CrossPlex Comfort Inn when a car and free parking suit you better.
FAQ
Where should I stay in Birmingham for the first time?
Stay downtown for a first visit. The Redmont, the Tutwiler Hampton Inn, and The Kelly all sit within a short walk of the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Alabama Theatre, and the Civil Rights District, so you can see the highlights on foot before picking up a car for wider trips.
Which Birmingham hotels are best for families?
Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites are the strongest family choices. Both offer suite layouts and in-room kitchens, Homewood has an indoor pool and Home2 an outdoor pool, and both include breakfast, which helps with kids and longer stays.
Are any of these hotels near UAB?
Yes. The Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB is steps from UAB Health System, while Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites are both within roughly a 15-minute walk of the hospital and university, making them practical for patients, families, and campus visitors.
When is the best time to visit Birmingham?
Spring and fall are the best times to visit, roughly March through May and September through November, when the weather suits walking and outdoor plans. Summers are hot and humid and draw the biggest crowds, while winters are mild and the least expensive.
Do I need a car in Birmingham?
Not for a downtown-focused trip. The core hotels put the museums, theaters, and Civil Rights sites within walking distance, and the Hilton runs a complimentary local-area shuttle and airport pickup. You will want a car to reach Vulcan Park on Red Mountain, the CrossPlex, or attractions outside the center.
Which hotel is best for business travelers and events?
The Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB is the top business pick. It has the largest meeting and conference footprint here across nine rooms, plus wedding services, an on-site restaurant, and a complimentary airport shuttle.
What is there to do near downtown?
Downtown packs in the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Alabama Theatre, McWane Science Center, and the Civil Rights District around Kelly Ingram Park and the 16th Street Baptist Church. Railroad Park and Regions Field, home of the Birmingham Barons, sit on the Southside, and Vulcan Park overlooks it all from Red Mountain.
This guide is based on each hotel's published rates and amenities, official property information, and guest review data.
Ready to book? Compare guest reviews, photos, and live rates on HotelsOne, with no reservation fees and the Best Price Guaranteed. Search Birmingham stays for your travel dates and lock in the lowest price.
Sources: Redmont Hotel Birmingham, Curio Collection by Hilton, Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham-Downtown-Tutwiler, The Kelly Birmingham, Tapestry Collection By Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton Birmingham Downtown, Homewood Suites by Hilton Birmingham Downtown Near UAB, Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB, Comfort Inn & Suites at CrossPlex Village, 41 Best VERIFIED Pet Friendly Hotels in Birmingham with Weight Limits & Pet Fees, 1 Best VERIFIED Pet Friendly Hotels in Birmingham with Weight Limits & Pet Fees, 10 Best Pet Friendly Hotels Birmingham AL You’ll Love | CoddlePets, Birmingham Updates List of City Pools Open for Summer 2026 After Re-Evaluation | The Birmingham Times, THE KELLY BIRMINGHAM, TAPESTRY COLLECTION BY HILTON – Updated June 2026 – 61 Photos & 31 Reviews – 2027 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama – Hotels – Phone Number – Yelp, The Electric, Birmingham, The Kelly Birmingham, Tapestry Collection by Hilton | Birmingham AL | Facebook
