Embassy Suites Birmingham

The heart of this 8-story hotel is the sunny, plant-filled atrium, with its antique clock, fish ponds, and waterfalls. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, adjacent to the lobby, serves lunch and dinner daily, while the hotel provides complimentary, made-to-order breakfast every morning, and complimentary cocktails at a manager's reception each evening. The hotel also has an indoor pool with spa tub and sauna.

The hotel's site in the hills on the outskirts of the city provides fine balcony views, and also makes arrivals and departures easy. The hotel is also close to some of the city's more interesting destinations, including shopping and dining at Five Points South, where you are likely to find students from the nearby University of Alabama Birmingham.

The hotel's 242 guest suites are currently undergoing a complete renovation, two floors at a time, to be completed in October 2007.

Every suite contains either a king or a pair of double beds in a separate sleeping area, while the living room areas contain sofa beds. Each suite also has a balcony with a view. The wet bar area includes a microwave, refrigerator, and coffeemaker. Every suite is equipped with multi-line phones with voice mail, cable TV, and wireless Internet access (surcharge). Room service from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse is available (limited hours).