The Redmont Hotel

The Redmont Hotel opened on May 1, 1925, and it is Birmingham’s oldest operating hotel. When it debuted, it stood out for putting a private bath in every room, along with chilled water and ceiling fans, which were real luxuries at the time. Over the decades it saw a lounge called the Rainbow Room, a penthouse added on the top floor in the 1940s, and a long list of notable guests. According to the hotel’s history, country singer Hank Williams stayed here in the final days of 1952.

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. After a multimillion-dollar restoration supported by Alabama’s historic rehabilitation tax credits, it reopened in March 2016 as part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. Today it has 120 rooms, a size that keeps it feeling more like a boutique hotel than a convention property.

Rooms and Amenities

Rooms come in king, double and suite layouts, with a contemporary look and small vintage touches that nod to the building’s past. Amenities include:

• Fitness center: on site for guests.
• Connecting rooms: available, which helps families traveling together.
• Digital key: through the Hilton Honors app.
• Meeting rooms: for small events and business gatherings.
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

Dining

Harvest is the hotel’s restaurant and bar on the ground floor, a convenient spot for breakfast or dinner without leaving the building. On top of the hotel, The Roof is a rooftop bar and dining space with views over downtown. Note that the rooftop has historically been seasonal, so check whether it is open before you plan an evening around it. Downtown has plenty of other options within a few blocks, including The Collins Bar and Paramount.

Location

The Redmont sits on 5th Avenue North in the city’s historic financial district. The Birmingham Museum of Art and CityWalk BHAM are each about 0.4 miles away. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and 16th Street Baptist Church are about 0.6 miles away, and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is about 0.7 miles. The Alabama Theatre and Lyric Theatre are within easy walking distance for a show. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is about 5.9 miles from the hotel, which makes for a quick ride after a flight.

Good to Know Before You Book

• Parking: valet is the only option, with in-and-out privileges. There is no self-parking or EV charging on site.
• Pets: pets are not allowed.
• Room choice: it is an older building, and some guests mention noise from elevators and neighboring rooms. Request a room away from the elevator bank if you are a light sleeper.
• Breakfast: breakfast is not included with every rate, so check your booking.

If you want to stay somewhere with genuine Birmingham history and walk to the Civil Rights District and Theatre District, the Redmont is a strong fit.

Photo: Lee Adlaf, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.