21 Nights at the Residence Inn at UAB

After spending 19 of the last 21 nights at the Marriot Residence inn at UAB in Downtown Birmingham, Alabama; I was really starting to feel comfortable in my studio suite. The Medium size hotel in Downtown/5 Point South neighborhood offers both studio and 1 room suites, all equipped with a fully furnished kitchen, full size fridge, a king size bed and a pull out sofa. Spending 3 weeks in Alabama for work, the Residence Inn was a perfect place to call home, for eating out 3 weeks straight gets old, and the location to the accredit acclaimed Hospital University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital (my work location) could not be more convenient.

The Residence Inn has multiple rooms set up, but the most common set up is the 1 room studio suite like the one I was in. Each room is equipped with a stove, a convection microwave, and dish washer, garbage disposal and a full size fridge in the kitchen. There’s also a desk with Ethernet connection, a dining room table for 2 along with a small couch and a chair in the living. The room is then divided by a dresser with a swivel tv which leads into a standard bedroom.

Although my room was just a typical studio room, the hotel was running at 100% capacity due to a go-live of an Electronic medical record at UAB. Consultants had been flown in from all over the U.S. (Like myself) to support the clinicians while they made the transition from paper to computer charting. The hotel also offers a number of 1 bedroom suites and even has approximately 5 rooms that offer fireplaces (I would not want this in the humid Alabama Summer) and the same number of rooms with ovens! So if you’re staying long term or during the winter, do be sure to request one of these two rooms!

The hotel graciously has Wi-Fi throughout and Ethernet connections while in your room (or wi-fi) for no charge. Although I’ll be the first to warn you that it moves not much faster than dial up speeds! The hotel also has a well equipped gym (for a hotel, it’s no 24 hour fitness) and a small swimming pool just big enough to soak in. In addition, the hotel offers a complimentary full breakfast 7 days a week and small evening meals accompanied with complimentary beer and wine 2-3 nights a week.

Although Birmingham, Alabama is not a place I would recommend for vacation, due to the lack of tourist attraction and urban center, if you find yourself in Birmingham for more than a few days, do consider the Residence Inn. The location is walkable to a number of attractions, including the Vulcan, Civil Rights Museum, and all the hip and trendy restaurants at 5 Points. And the staff is absolutely wonderful and highly recommended! All smiles and extremely helpful with area information!

And RIGHT Now I’m on my way home at 30K feet ready for some rest in my own bed! HELLO Sunny San Diego!