Courtyard by Marriott Birmingham Homewood

The room was warm, clean, and had a nice view of the courtyard. Parking was ample, and the bistro was handy. The receptionists on Thursday and Friday, 2/26 and 2/27, were especially friendly and cordial.

I chose this Courtyard because it didn’t list a parking fee, while I passed over nicer Marriott options in Birmingham that advertised theirs upfront. At check-in, nobody mentioned a charge. The representative said there’d be a $10 hold on my card that would be refunded, but after I left I saw a $7 parking fee on the receipt. The lot also felt sketchy, with signs warning guests to take their valuables and saying the hotel wasn’t responsible. What was the fee for, then? It’s not a lot of money, but had I known, I would’ve stayed at the nicer, safer Westin or Autograph in a better area. I’d used my free annual night while traveling and was trying to get the most out of it without paying extra, so this was disappointing.

The rooms were excellent, no complaints there. Staff were great and had bubbly personalities. There’s a nice little café too, though prices are a bit high.

The bathroom got damp all over after just one shower, and the room had a smell. Fixtures were rusty, and the room felt outdated. The beds were full size, not queens, and tiny for two people. With four of us getting ready, having just one mirror and sink was a pain. The lighting was terrible too.