The Westin Birmingham

The gym was nice, and there were plenty of food choices within walking distance. I had a good three-night stay and would come back. The front desk staff were friendly and helpful. Staying here also gets you into the concierge lounge at the Sheraton next door, where they had a nice spread of drinks and snacks. The bartender took good care of us and was friendly and helpful.

We had a peaceful, quiet stay, and the corner room looked straight across at the new UAB football stadium. The location worked really well for us, with restaurants, the BJCC and the new Coca Cola Amphitheater all within walking distance. This was my third visit, and I'd stay here again. The room wallpaper could use attention since the panels are curling at the seams. Staff interactions were limited, but everyone we dealt with was pleasant. After checkout, valet took nearly 10-15 minutes to bring our car, even though I'd requested it through the automated line 5-10 minutes before checking out. It was a busy time and they seemed short staffed. I felt bad seeing the valets run what looked like a long way to the cars. The layout seems poorly thought out for that part of the service. There were outdoor couches where we could sit while waiting.

I slept really well. The room was clean and quiet, the AC worked great, and the bed had soft sheets and a fluffy comforter. The shower had strong pressure and a handheld head in the stall. Everything suited me, and the receptionist was attentive and very helpful.

The room was dated and hadn't been cleaned properly, with sticky food on the desk and carpet. See photos. The gym, at least, was clean and had plenty of treadmills. The bar and restaurant were shut, and nobody mentioned that when I booked, so we depended on the Sheraton for breakfast and amenities. At $350 a night, it didn't feel worth the price. For a Westin and a Marriott property, you'd expect them to care more about service, or at least lower the room price while the restaurant is closed.