Kings Inn Civic Center UAB

For a budget stay, I think this is the best motel in Greater Birmingham if you want basic decor and steady service. Ask about weekly rates, since they offer good discounts, and they’re also on the major hotel discount apps. The area can feel intimidating at first: the motel is older, and several nearby places serve homeless and indigent people. But owner Andrew Patel and senior on-site staff member Lee Smith are extremely skilled at keeping guests safe and comfortable. They seem to enjoy their work, too. The place stays clean and quiet, even on busy city weekends. Housekeeping is quick to bring fresh linens and towels and turn the room down. The staff are consistently courteous and welcoming, and check-in is prompt. They pay attention to safety and comfort. The lobby vending machines are affordable and work well. There’s a large restaurant-size ice machine in the lounge across from the elevators, and the front desk will help with laundry on the third floor. The washer and dryer take quarters, about $7 for a wash and dry. They’re spacious: I fit a week’s laundry, including 7-10 outfits, washcloths, hand towels and two beach towels, and everything came out clean and dry. The staff, from Andrew and his lovely wife to Lee S and Ms. Dee in housekeeping, make it feel friendly. Thanks to all of them for the laughs and for being good people who like helping others. There are a couple of noise caveats. You can hear trains passing on the nearby overpass, and concerts at the Arena make the music and traffic loud. I actually enjoy the train whistle, even late at night, but bring earplugs or choose a different motel if you don’t want trains and city and interstate traffic sounds.