Cobb Lane Bed And Breakfast

Let me start with saying that I wouldn’t stay here again. I love recommending bed and breakfasts to people that I’ve stayed at but this one was definitely not repeatable.
I’ll give a list of pros and cons to assist your decision.
PROS– historically accurate experience. The home is filled with lots and lots of knick knacks and antiques (bordering on uncomfortably cluttered for a traveling respite location). Interesting to walk through and look at. The porch was quaint and the landscaping was pretty. Good location with walking distance to a few restaurants. We felt safe as it was across the street from a police sub-​station. Owner provided information and a map upon arrival that was useful for our stay.
CONS– I need to inform you that they do not provide ANY toiletries except a tiny harsh bar of soap. I had to scramble to find some shampoo. Luckily, I travel A LOT and I had some hotel shampoo left in my suitcase (you know, from normal lodging that had toiletries provided). This wouldn’t have been a big deal if I had of known before hand but I didn’t have any warning to provide my own. The towels did not smell fresh and there were only two towels provided (!) along with two wash cloths and a hand towel. Not nearly enough for two grown adults to shower. One of the big towels had a large hole and one of the hand towels smelled like a wet dog. The bathroom rug felt unclean and I regretted that I stepped on it after a clean shower. The rug appeared dated, dirty and of need of a good run through the washer. The bathroom sink had dust, dirt and hair along the bottom which make the whole bathroom feel unsanitary.
Not only were there these issues, but there wasn’t any way to ask for things we needed as we saw them arise such as extra towels etc.
The bed appeared pretty but was hard as a rock. Only two very hard pillows were provided to compliment the stone like mattress. Very squeaky bed. The bed contained useless décor that could not have ever been washed… Especially between guests. Delicate hand crafted pillows and a hand made tatted throw. Underneath was a very pilled comforter that brought me zero comfort at all. It felt stale and unsanitary. We actually resorted to going to the car and getting our own blankets and pillows. I have never … EVER… Had to do this before.
The rooms were not sound proof at all which made us whisper everywhere we went.
The day we were driving in, the owner called us and asked for us to change rooms saying it was an ‘upgrade’. We checked online and it was not. We politely declined. We arrived late and night and they again asked if we would switch rooms to a whole other location. Um, we said ‘no’. Annoyed we had been asked again. If they don’t want people to choose their room, don’t offer such a ‘luxury’. No coffee was available until breakfast was served at 9, so we had to go in search of a Starbucks hours before that. Breakfast was served at nine in the large dining room. We were uncomfortably placed with the owner sitting at the same table making small talk and trying to get personal. This should have been an option for us to have the intimate two person table set close by. The food tasted like it had been prepared hours before for the other house location and we got the leftovers. Fancy China didn’t hide the lack of freshness.
The home was decorated with so many antiques that I felt like a child in an glass shop. I was worried I would disturb something which left me with a sense of unwelcome and lack of ability to relax.
I am glad we only booked one night and I was thrilled to arrive at a proper lodging the next few days.

I don’t know why this place has such a low review. I just stayed the weekend and the service and stay went beyond my expectations.
It’s located in the Five Points neighborhood of Birmingham, within walking distance to a good lot of restaurants the next street over, including J. Clyde which is right behind the B&B, so already it’s in a pretty convenient location. Also really close to UAB and a drive’s over about 13 blocks to downtown, so you’re generally safe.
Prior to my arrival, I was in close contact with Sheila, one of the innkeepers who greeted me via phone call when I arrived. I only had the opportunity to meet her in person once and she was extremely hospitable, always checking in to make sure everything is alright. Her husband, Ira, was the one I got a chance to speak with in person a couple of times, as he greeted me at the door and cooked up a great breakfast. Sundays are at 9am (weekdays are 6am, I believe), and though I was trailing behind because I had just completed the Mercedes Half Marathon, I came back and Ira was still available to make me a belated meal! You can’t top service like that! Sheila and Ira have been extremely accommodating and I really appreciate the effort in service they’ve given me.
I did a solo trip this time around, so I stayed in the Camelia room on the main floor. The only SMALL con was that my private bathroom was across the hallway, which was also used by someone else I could hear – again, small con. The entire B&B is Victorian decorated with a bunch of antiques, china, and whatnot. It was a bit creepy, but you can definitely feel that Southern charm. It’s a historic property, so it does also feel sorta old, but I would take the excellent service I received over it any day. If I were to come back, I would book Cobb Lane and recommend it to all potential guests!

I stayed in the Zebra room last week for two nights. Overall, it was an ok experience, not great, but not bad. The location was excellent, we could walk to many of the places we wanted to visit. The breakfast was ok, but served at 7 am, it seemed a bit early, especially for people traveling for a holiday.
I wish i would have knows that the Zebra room was actually in the basement, and didn’t have any «historical home» ambiance. Furthermore, the router for the internet is in the main house, and didn’t reach to the basement. So if you plan on getting on line, stay in another room.

Cobb Lane is situated right in the middle of South Birmingham. It has a great old-​south feel to it, though (like much of the old-​south décor) it can seem a bit cluttered to me. Not a big problem though, that’s their theme. Go with it. Although, the dolls in the parlor of the Magnolia suite can be a little creepy (we had to close the door to go to sleep). Anyway, the furniture is a bit old, so don’t expect the most comfortable bed in the world.
The location is great since it is right next to the Blue Monkey Lounge, a nice little bar, and the famous J. Clyde, the best beer bar in Alabama. Period. I have only been to a handful of bars that have rivaled the J. Clyde. So, having that within walking distance is definitely a plus.
The breakfast in the morning was amazing! The coffee was surprisingly good, and we were given water and juice as well. Tea was also available for those who wanted it. Everything we ate was wonderful, and I would gladly eat several plates if I could!
All in all, I thought it was a great B&B. It’s not my first choice of décor, and the bed isn’t the most comfortable in the world, but it was definitely worth the trip.

I completely appreciate the building’s history, but as a bed and breakfast it does not compare to some of the other places I’ve been to. It is definitely an old building and it shows inside. It’s dusty, creeky, and like the other review noted it does have lots of bric-​à-​brac all over the place. The Periwinkle Room had a headless mannequin standing in the corner wearing a white wedding dress-​um, creepy! The bathroom has the potential to have that old, rustic look but with it being so unmaintained, it just looks dated. I was excited about the baked goods in the living room but when I saw that the freezer was stocked with frozen baked cookies I wasn’t in a rush to grab a thawed goodie from the tray. The hosts were very friendly and I appreciate their hospitality, but the establishment itself needs some improvement.

Terrible. Dirty, musty, rude innkeeper, noisy, full of cheap bric-​à-​brac. Pillows like rocks. Coffee cold and weak. Beware of the photos – they are artfully taken to make the place look palatial. in fact, it’s old, dirty and crammed with an inexplicabe amount of stuff. The bathroom in my room was so small that I was grateful that I have been practicing yoga for some years or I may have been unable to dry my hair.
I checked out early because, despite having made my reservation months in advance, the innkeepers screwed up and wanted me to change from one of their cramped, tiny rooms to another. Despite being very convenient to everything in town, the place is incredibly uncomfortable and not worth the very reasonable cost. My advice is to opt for a discount room at a nearby hotel instead.

Here we are again, at another b&b, except this time, in Alabama.
Note to anyone interested — the «South» in 19^th St. S is VERY important — like, «hide yo kids, hide yo wife» important.
Cobb Lane B&B is super cute. Full of southern charm and turn of the century décor.
Restaurants and bars are within decent walking distance, thankfully! After 7 hours of driving, the glutes get ridiculously sore from road trip isometrics — so a friendly neighborhood conducive to walking is well necessary.
Our room has its own private entrance, with a patio in the rear of the main house. I personally think our room was decked for company– there’s a large canopied bed, and a spacious living area with an L shaped leather sofa.
We were invited by our host, Shelia to help ourselves to whatever drinks we find in their kitchen refrigerator. It was stocked with soda, juice and bottled water.
Of course, breakfast was a pleasure. We sat at the large, ornately dressed dining table under a crystal chandelier. It was a beautiful compliment to the food!
In the end, with the friendliness and service, we were treated more like family than passing guests.