I am often looking for a hotel in which to stay in Birmingham the night before a flight or the night I return from a flight. Why? I live an hour from the airport and do not see well at night while driving. Evening flights are often cheaper. An affordable hotel adds to the expenses, but not in adverse way. This hotel has often been a good option if I am taking an early or evening flight. There are other good reasons to stay here: 1) it is a few blocks from the airport and 2) unlike most hotels in Birmingham, it offers transportation to and from the airport. The updated decor (mostly paint jobs and new beds, I think) are another reason to stay. The staff is always kind, too. And how many hotels still offer a microwave and refrigerator? The neighborhood is not the best, but this is still a great option if all your main reason to be in the area is to get to or from the airport. My last stay made me fairly sure I would not return, but I am glad I gave them another try. It is now the best place for your buck if you want to stay near BHM. PS My husband drove up and stayed with me as he was in the area buying vinyl at thrift stores, making the stay even nicer. If he had not been working, he could have dropped me off. Glad he was working as I would not have had to drive myself. Even though retrieving the second car from the airport was a hassle, it was worth it. We would not have seen that this hotel really is trying to compete with newer facilities in fast growing Birmingham. Way to go, Holiday Inn!

I went into the hotel to the Steel City Bar and Grill and John was ah-mazing! Very knowledgeable! When you go to the bar make sure you see him if he’s working that night! I had a ribeye steak and it was cooked perfectly!

Now I will say that the chairs at the bar are a smidge uncomfortable. When you have comfy bar chairs, people stay longer and spend more money! So get better chairs.

There is one thing though. Although my experience was great it seems like the staff is overworked and underpaid. John was masterful at balancing serving us and managing the bar but please have a full staff on a Saturday night. The manager Sam was not delightful towards customers that night but I won’t let that ruin the rest of my experience.

Love Steel City!