Description: When I look for a place to stay when I'm traveling I always look at two things. First, I look at the location of the hotel; I want to stay close to the attractions, but not in a bad neighborhood. Second, I look at the price compared to others in the area. Pickwick is a winner on both standards.
First, Pickwick is in the heart of the downtown area. It is in an area called Five Points South, which is Birmingham's entertainment district. This area represents the cities more reputable night clubs, bars and restaurants. If you are interested in meeting other people and enjoying a night out, this is were you will be going in Birmingham. Staying at the Pickwick is nice as you can take advantage of the nightlife and not have to worry about driving home; it literally is surrounded by the clubs. It is within a few miles on all sides by the local museums, Vulcan Park and the zoo / botanical gardens. Except for those attractions in the suburbs of town, you will find the Pickwick Hotel in a great location. Additionally, the hotels parking lot is gated and for guests only; this is nice since it is so hard to find a parking spot in the Five Points South area on a Friday or Saturday night.
Second, compared to other hotels in the area, the Pickwick is a bargain. Other hotels in the immediate neighborhood were $15 to $20 higher. Of course, there were some considerably cheaper outside of the downtown area, but the location makes up for the difference in the price.
The room itself was clean and the staff was helpful; neither were exceptional, but they were adequate. It's not a very large hotel (something like 75 rooms) so the service was quick.
Also, every room is equipped with high speed Internet service, which is nice if you are travelling on business. Also, there is a small fitness center for hotel guests only.
A couple of down points should also be mentioned. First, the continental breakfast was not very good; it was cereal and bagels. I ate out both mornings. Second, there is no pool. Especially if you are traveling with children, this exclusion might warrant considering another location.
I recommend this hotel for adults visiting Birmingham, Alabama, strictly due to its location and proximity to the entertainment district. Families with children might look elsewhere, as the nightlife will not be a draw for children and there is no pool in the hotel.
Website: http://www.pickwickhotel.com/
Close