Where to Stay in Birmingham, AL

If you are planning your trip to Birmingham, good choice! The so-called “Magic City” or “Pittsburgh of the South”, is the largest city in Alabama and has a lot to offer, even if sometimes overlooked by tourists for some more popular destinations!

Since not many people know about Birmingham, Alabama (not to be confused with Birmingham, England), it’s quite hard to find information online about the best neighborhoods in the city. Picking the best places to stay can really make a difference in your holiday!

For this reason, I decided to help you by writing this guide to the best areas where to stay in Birmingham, including some great hotel options for different budgets, and a bonus with some pet-friendly properties… so everyone will be satisfied.

The best place to stay in Birmingham is Downtown Birmingham If you want to have access to most of the city’s tourist attractions, while Five Points South is perfect for those traveling on a budget, and the area near Birmingham Botanical Gardens is for families.

Well, now it’s time to start discovering them all. But remember to book your favorite Birmingham, Alabama hotel in advance so you can secure a spot, and maybe also take advantage of some good deals! Ready?

Let’s go!

If you are in a hurry

Do you need to book now? Then check out this quick list of the best hotels to stay in Birmingham, AL, divided by price range:

Here’s a map to show you where the 3 best areas to stay in Birmingham, Alabama, are located:

1. Downtown Birmingham – where to stay for first timers

If it’s your first time in Birmingham and you want to have a real feel of the city, Downtown Birmingham is what you are looking for, being right in the heart of everything!

The area hosts a wide range of restaurants offering delicious international cuisine, bars to enjoy the nightlife, cafes, shopping venues, historic buildings, and hotels, but most importantly, the best touristic attractions of the city (all close to each other)!

From historical attractions like the 16th Street Baptist Church to incredible museums such as the Birmingham museum of art and the Civil Right Institute, or the famous Alabama Jazz Hall Of Fame, in Birmingham city center, there’s something for any taste!

But downtown Birmingham also has a lot to offer in terms of arts and culture with its countless theaters and arenas, offering live shows almost every night… it really has it all!

Other pluses? The area is only 10 minutes drive from the Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport and is home to the largest variety of accommodation… Let’s check out the best hotels to stay in Birmingham city center:

Other options in Downtown Birmingham

Things to do in Downtown Birmingham

2. Five Points South – where to stay in Birmingham on a budget

Another neighborhood with a lot to offer but at way lower prices than Downtown Birmingham is Five Points South, the perfect place to stay in Birmingham if you are traveling on a budget!

Located at a 10-minute drive south of Downtown, the area hosts one of the city’s main highlights, the University Of Alabama Birmingham. It not only offers students 140 different study programs but it is one of the largest academic medical centers in the whole US!

So expect to find a very youthful and vibrant vibe in the whole area, with students all around and many restaurants and bars!

But the university is not the only attraction in Five Points South, here you’ll have access to many other cool places like the Alabama Adventure Amusement Park, and Vulcan Park and Museum, offering many cool trails to explore.

Does it sound like the place for you? Then check out the following hotels, and make sure you book them in advance!

Other accommodation options in Five Points South

Things to do in Five Points South

3. Birmingham Zoo & Botanical Gardens Area – best for families

If you are going to Birmingham for a family vacation, there’s no better area than the neighborhood surrounding the Birmingham Zoo and Botanical Gardens, two attractions that your kids will love (both located south of Five Point South).

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is home to the various species of exotic plants and colorful types of birds, plus nice benches and swings where you can take a break…. And the best bit? There’s no entrance fee (but they do ask for donations)!

Right next to the botanical gardens, you will find the famous Birmingham Zoo, featuring animals from all over the world and many activities like close encounters and animal feedings!

And if you love nature, you can spend one or more days exploring the incredible Oak Mountain State Park, offering hiking trails, equine facilities, kayak/paddle boards, camping, and even a wildlife center… the perfect place to take a break from the city!

If you like the idea of doing some activities surrounded by nature then I recommend you check out the best places to stay in Breckenridge or Vail, two Colorado getaways for great skiing and hiking!

Other options in the Zoo and Botanical Gardens area

Things to do in Zoo and Botanical Gardens area

BONUS: Where to stay in Birmingham with your dog

Are you planning on going to Birmingham, Alabama, with your 4 legged friends and worried that you won’t find any pet-friendly hotels?

Good news! There are actually many accommodation options accepting dogs in the city, so you can definitely bring them on holiday with you!

Here you find a quick list of the best pet-friendly hotels to stay in Birmingham, Alabama. I divided them by price range, so there’s something for any budget… check them out:

• Luxury: Courtyard by Marriott Birmingham Homewood – this luxury hotel is the perfect place to stay in Birmingham with your pet if you are looking for a great location. The property is a short drive from Downtown Birmingham and the city’s best tourist attractions, like the Oak Mountain State Park. The rooms are also great, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private bathroom, and a work desk.
• Mid Range: Aloft Birmingham Soho Square – Located in Birmingham, Alabama, this hotel not only offers spacious and pet-friendly rooms, but also an outdoor swimming pool and 3 on-site restaurants to choose from! And if that wasn’t all, here you will have access to a fitness center, a business center, a games room, a gift shop, and meeting facilities… What else do you need?
• Budget: Residence Inn by Marriott Birmingham Downtown UAB – Are you traveling on a budget with your four-legged friend? Then check out this affordable hotel to stay in Birmingham, located just a few minutes away from the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. I am sure you will love the delicious hot breakfast served every morning, the outdoor pool, and the fully equipped rooms!

FAQs about hotels in Birmingham, Alabama

Conclusion

Here we are at the end of this travel guide about the best places to stay in Birmingham, Alabama, also known as the Magic City.

We saw the three best areas for any taste, each one offering accommodation options for different budgets from luxury to more affordable hotels, and even some pet-friendly properties!

I am sure you will find the perfect option for your travel needs here, but if you are still undecided about where to stay in Birmingham, here are my 2 favorite hotels, with great value for the price and location:

• Elyton Hotel, Autograph Collection – one of the best luxury hotels to stay in Birmingham, offering a delicious restaurant on site, a fitness center, and a bar
• The Kelly Birmingham – a great mid-range hotel conveniently located in Downtown Birmingham, offering free wifi and private parking

See something you like? Then book it right now, so you can secure yourself a spot in Birmingham and maybe find some good deals!

I hope you enjoyed my guide as much as I did writing it for you, and I invite you to share your question or doubts in the comments below… if you have any!

Have a great stay!

Elena

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