I recently stayed at Home2 Suites by Hilton in downtown Birmingham on 18th Street, and…read moreunfortunately, my experience was very disappointing.
The main reason we chose this location was because of the excellent experience we previously had at the Home2 Suites location in Hoover, Alabama. That property was superb, so we expected the same level of cleanliness and service. Unfortunately, the downtown Birmingham location fell far short of those expectations.
Upon entering our room, it was clear that cleanliness was an issue. The bathroom sink had brown residue in it, the shower floor was dirty, and there was hair throughout the bathroom. I actually had to clean the bathroom myself before feeling comfortable using it. The couch in the room was also covered in visible stains, making it unusable for us during our stay.
To make matters worse, the ironing board completely fell apart while we were trying to iron our clothes. As a result, we had to iron our clothing on the bed, which is far from ideal and does not provide the same results as using a properly functioning ironing board. This was another indication that the room furnishings and equipment were not being adequately maintained.
I will say that the beds were comfortable, and the hotel's downtown location is very convenient. Being close to restaurants, entertainment, and other attractions was definitely a plus.
Another major concern was the parking situation. Guests are required to pay for self-parking, yet there was rarely any available parking. To make matters worse, catering vehicles from Taziki's, a restaurant located across from the hotel, appeared to be occupying spaces in the hotel parking area. Those spaces should be reserved for paying hotel guests.
While the location is excellent, that alone does not make up for poor cleanliness, poorly maintained furnishings, and a lack of attention to the overall guest experience. This stay was a stark contrast to the outstanding experience we had at the Hoover location. Because of that, we will not be returning to this particular property. I hope management takes these concerns seriously and makes the necessary improvements so future guests can have a better experience.