Marriott Birmingham

The neighborhood is convenient, with shops and restaurants nearby, and the lobby is bright and clean. Beyond that, the hotel feels dark: the hallways are gloomy, and the rooms stay dim until you switch on every light. The carpet needs a deep cleaning. My room was okay for one night, with a comfortable bed and a clean sofa, though I could see an attempt had been made to remove stains. The bathroom’s sliding door might be fine if you’re alone, but it’s awkward with family or guests. The start wasn’t bad, but I wouldn’t call it four stars.

The room was clean and convenient, though road construction is worth watching out for. Overnight, the air conditioner made a gurgling mechanical sound, and the guest Wi-Fi didn’t work. It took over 30 minutes to get two extra pillows.

The front desk staff were friendly and the room was nice. But my husband and I both got sick after eating the breakfast buffet, which cost $25 each. We were so ill we nearly missed the funeral we’d come to town for.

We were there for an event, so I’m only reviewing the lobby bar. The Old Fashioned I was served was really poor. The bartender said it was some Michigan version, and I didn’t feel like arguing. It wasn’t something I’d recommend, especially at about $24. We moved on to the event pretty quickly. No way to rate the bar separately, but for me it would be zero stars. The hotel lobby and meeting rooms are more like three or four.