Aloft Birmingham Soho Square

Expected a much nicer room for the money we paid. Had a broken refrigerator that wasn’t replaced for a day and a half. Hallways were dirty. Were told by a front desk staff member the night before our checkout that we could checkout at 4pm since we were Preferred guests only to be told the next morning we needed to be out by 1pm. That would have been perfectly fine if we had not been told something different the night before. We were excited to stay at this modern hotel, but were left disappointed.

Okay, update: Starwood, the parent company for Aloft, has since apologized, looked into the issues at hand and have refunded $. Not to the $ 147.00 per night rate that was quoted and promised, but to the tune of only charging $ 191.00 per night. Nothing was charged to our room our account other than our room. Great job Starwood, really great way to treat your ‘Preferred Guests’. (sarcasm intended.)

Love staying here. It’s a clean hotel that is close to all I need for my work business trips and a gold price. It’s within walking distance to numbers or restaurants, shops, grocery, and a CVS. The staff is helpful and friendly and it isn’t in creepy downtown. Worth a shot when you stay in Birmingham!

Was exactly as expected! Perfect for our overnight during a road trip. Clean, modern, quiet. Nice vibe as soon as you walk in the door.

The staff is friendly, it’s centrally located around a lot of eateries and the décor is modern. Strangely, my Verizon service didn’t work there at all and the wi-​fi was … well like most hotel wi-​fi wasn’t that great. On the plus side you can go completely keyless and open your door with your iPhone or Apple Watch so that’s cool.
The bed was a little firm for my tastes but not bad at all.

I would normally rate aLoft higher but was a little bummed to have water turned off from 10am-​2pm on the day after a festival…
I stayed at aLoft for Sloss Fest and the room was great. Everything I typically get with my aLoft stays. Clean, comfortable, modern, and quiet.
The front desk seemed a bit frazzled, the hotel was sold out and it seemed they were less friendly/​helpful than they normally are. Also the hallways were extremely hot; luckily the room was comfortable and I was not at the hotel much to worry about that. While I wasn’t at the hotel much, I did hope for more from the pool — craving a dip before heading out to the festival, but the pool is a very small indoor wading pool; again no big deal for me but FYI.
The biggest reason for my lower than normal rating was that on Saturday evening I returned at midnight to a note under my door stating the water would be shut off from 10am-​2pm the next day. Exhausted from the weekend festival, I had hopes to sleep in the next day, but that was not an option due to needing water to brush teeth, shower, etc before heading out the next day. I was woken to a 9am call reminder that there would be no water in an hour. So I got up, showered, and waited around instead of having a healthy extra 2 hours of sleep.
Tip: The area does not have über or lyft so just be prepared to drive or take a cab to Birmingham if needed. It is about a $ 13 cab ride to downtown which isn’t bad.
I wouldn’t not stay at an aLoft due to this experience because I like them so much, but based on this experience was a little sad that I paid a premium to stay here over someplace more affordable and then not have a core amenity (water) when needed.

Totally colossal screw up by the staff at ALoft. Got a call on the Friday afternoon before a Saturday night anniversary trip stating that someone at the desk had made an error and we had no room reservation. They made very little effort to try to make amends for this error on their part. didn’t really seem to care much. I expected far more from this hotel chain. it’s more of a scenario I would expect from a Best Western. I very much question their customer service and customer support, traveler beware

My brother stayed here late last year and raved about the place. We needed a place to stay while in town for a wedding so I booked and prepaid for a room for 3 days, 2 months in advance. My wife and I were due to arrive late on a Thursday. We got to the hotel just before midnight. There was already someone in line in front of me who was being apologized to by the guy behind the counter. After about 5 minutes, it was my turn. I told the guy that I had a reservation and needed to check in. He said «I’m sorry, but like I told the man in front of you, we are overbooked and don’t have a room for you». He was very apologetic and said that they would be refunding me the cost of my first night, that I would be able to check in the next day and that they would pay for us to stay in another hotel that night. The other hotel was 10 miles away.
While checking into the other hotel just before 1am, my wife called the guy at Aloft to confirm what time we would be able to check in the next day. She was told that check out time was noon and check in was at 3pm but it was first come first served. The next morning, we began calling to speak to a manager. Before we were able to get through to one, I complained to Aloft on twitter. To their credit, the corporate office only took 15 minutes to get in touch with me and we communicated via direct message. They never commented on the policy of overbooking, but they were very apologetic and did contact the local management. By the time my wife got through to the hotel manager on the phone, he had already spoken with the corporate office. My wife told the hotel manager that we had a very full itinerary due to the wedding and that did not included checking out of and in to hotels so they better have our room ready at 1pm, the only time we had available. He assured her it would be ready and to his credit, it was. He also gave us a peace offering of a box of chocolates. I don’t know if it would have been ready if I hadn’t gotten their corporate office involved.
Observations about the hotel itself:
Very contemporary feel to the place, which I like. However, the design of the rooms means that when the bathroom light is turned on, the entire room lights up.
The room we were in had a fairly significant lived in feel to it, with peeling wallpaper and scrapes and scratches in the furniture.
When checking out, there was a substantial water leak coming from the A/​C duct running along the ceiling about 5 feet from the front desk, creating a large puddle.
When I was checking in (actual check in, not when I was turned away) the people behind the counter were eating… and not just snacking but plates of food. When I was checking out the lady behind the desk was halfway through a bowl of cereal. That is very unprofessional. Employees need to eat but that should be done during breaks, out of sight, and not at the point of contact with the public.
The computer in their business center (desk in the middle of a hallway) was not working when I went to print out my airline boarding passes. To their credit, the lady at the front desk allowed me to use one of her computers to do this.
We will not be staying at this hotel again, nor will we be recommending it to others.

4.5 stars
Decided to continue my streak of visiting Aloft Hotels across the country… seriously though, you really can’t go wrong with Aloft. They are always centrally located and are a good value for the money.
On my cabride to the hotel from the airport (about 10 – 15 min), my cab driver even raved about the hotel and said it was in a really nice area (Homewood– suburb of Birmingham). So I definitely had high hopes. For the most part, my friend and I were pretty pleased with our stay. I arrived at the hotel around noon or so on a Friday. Checkin is around 2pm but they had a room available so I could check in and unpack. I really loved that I didn’t have to wait and store my luggage in some closet. One side of the hotel faces the Homewood Police Dept and down the street is the City Hall for Homewood. Not to mention the shops and restaurants in the area that are within walking distance.
Our room had 2 double beds and lots of space to hang clothing and spread out our luggage. The bathroom seemed roomier compared to other Aloft hotels I have stayed at. There is a walk in shower and toilet with a sliding door separating from the mirror/​sink area. Bliss beauty products are provided and I like that they have a self dispenser for shampoo and body wash instead of little bottles that will end up being tossed after each guest checks out. They also offer a $ 5 card (for use in their snack bar)/per night if you choose to opt out of having sheets and towels changed. I like that the hotel rewards you for being «green».
The lobby was pretty busy throughout the entire long weekend we were staying. On one day, there was a company holiday party in the lobby and on another, it looked like a wedding reception.
The only 2 annoyances of our visit were the fire alarm going off so loudly and not really getting an explanation until we asked the front desk (a grease fire occurred at the restaurant next door). Talk about ear curdling. Also, they offer free wireless but it was spotty at the beginning of our trip. It did work towards the end. But definitely a royal pain if you are coming here for business.
For most of our visit, we dealt with Dion at the front desk. He was very friendly and pleasant. On our check out date, I asked if we could have a later checkout than the standard of 12noon since my flight was leaving late. He was able to extend it until 230pm and then offered to extend another 30 minutes if I needed. I hope you give him praise for his excellent customer service because he truly deserves it.
As far as the Birmingham area, I would stay here again. There is lots to do within walking distance but if you want to venture out on occasion, I would recommend renting a car. Parking is free in their garage.

Still a fan of the Aloft brand (part of SPG Hotels), and still very pleased with the Aloft Birmingham Soho Square location… just about everything during our last stay was up to par, as usual, which is right at the 5-​star level (for what it is, a mid-​price level hotel).
However, this last stay, it seems that this Aloft seems to be show some signs of aging and use. The sliding door between the bathroom and sink area was broken and off its hinges… it wasn’t a big deal, but that was the first time something had been «off» at this particular Aloft location. Also, the blinds/​window shades in our room were difficult to open, partially because they had seemingly been abused by a previous patron. They were off-​track and it appears that the cleaning staff had missed that and the door (or it was in the process of being fixed or being replaced. That’s understandable, but I would expect if such issues were known, that we would not have been booked in that room.
Still, very pleased with this Aloft location… just a couple surface-​level issues that need to be addressed.

I’ve stayed at this Aloft a couple times while visiting Birmingham. As a hotel, it is strikingly similar to all other Aloft hotels (like a cheaper version of clubby W hotels)…once I closed the window blinds in the hotel room, I wouldn’t be sure what city I was in. Same desk, bench seat, tv on the wall setup… same bathroom without a proper door, sleek lines, vessel sink, standup shower, environment friendly dispensers with shampoo/​conditioner and bath gel, efficient spacing. The hotel is perfect for a single traveler on business.
The hotel is very accommodating; check-​in is very quick and friendly. They also don’t nickel and dime for every little thing… wifi is free, parking is free, and packages can be shipped to you at the hotel without extra costs. Lobby has lots of seating and there is also a bar area with good drink options.
I don’t know the Birmingham area at all, but I do like the convenience of this neighborhood when traveling from east of Birmingham… it is almost a straight shot on I-​20. There are good restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, and it is about 50 minutes from Talladega.

This is the BEST hotel you’ll find in Birmingham, Alabama…
I travel about 75% of the year and live out of hotels and have become a snob to hotels. During my visits home I only stay at Aloft. Aloft is a chic (for Bham) hotel that’s moderately priced, modern, and very accommodating. This hotel is also located within blocks of good eats and just minutes from the Summit Mall.
I’ve stayed at the Westin, Sheraton, Hyatt, and several other hotels in Birmingham, but none of them compare to the Aloft.

I usually stay at Best Westerns when I travel, so walking into the dance-​clubby lobby of the Aloft for the first time was kind of off-​putting. Music was blaring, colors were bright, the check in desk was circular and in the middle of the floor. It was an assault on the senses at 9:45 at night after flying all day. I decided it was too hip for me.
The next morning, after I’d had some sleep, I changed my mind. The Aloft, from the lobby to the rooms to everywhere else, is hip, but it’s a pleasant hip. It feels different and less stuffy than other hotels, and it just seems to make everything feel a little newer. By the time I left, I really liked the ambiance.
The room was comfy if a bit sparse. I probably should have expected it from the name of the hotel, but the room felt like an urban loft. It has the necessities — lots of plugs, nice toiletries, a good tv, and very fast, free internet. There’s some sort of magic box that’s supposed to hook your devices up to a TV, but it seemed pretty useless. I don’t normally travel with lots of different AV cables. One of the only negatives about the room itself was that the shower water pressure was very weak.
The gym is kept in good shape, with plenty of water and towels and sanitizing wipes, but it is a little small (it almost filled up the second day) and the weight machine is not really user friendly (or I am a dummy). They have six machines (two treadmills, two bikes, two ellipticals) and one full set of free weights.
The breakfast restaurant serves really good, made to order breakfast sandwiches and wraps. The pricing is a little weird — it’s like $ 4.50 for a wrap, but if you want one apple and a bottle of juice with it, it goes way up to $ 8. But it’s definitely convenient to have it right in the lobby and a nice change of pace from eating complete junk for breakfast on the road.
So the Aloft won me over after my initial shock. I really enjoyed my stay here. It does seem like it’s trying a little too hard to be young and hip, and therefore I’m not sure that I’d recommend my parents stay here, but it was a fun change of pace for me.

My family reunion was held here the weekend of July 4^th, the staff was phenomenal! The hotel was a great choice, extremely clean, mins away from downtown, and surrounded by some pretty cool eateries (my fav) but while there we met Gerry the bartender who interacted and made us delicious drinks (something he threw together) but it was so good I had to call from Jersey to get the ingredients. LoL. If… When I visit again The Loft would definitely be my first choice. Kudos to the entire staff!

I was so non-​plussed with this hotel that I can’t bring myself to write a real review. All I can muster are a couple of lists:
Pros:
1. Free Bliss bath products (this was TRULY the best part)
2. Modern, minimalist feel
3. Comfortable mattress
4. Ample free parking
5. Aloft «Arf» program for pets-​no charge for pets under 40 pounds
6. Cool lobby and bar area
7. Clean
Cons:
1. In this case modernist was code for cheap (peeling, cracked laminate furniture)
2. Cheap, cheap, cheap linens
3. The promised «Arf» perks (dog beds, treats, toys) were not available
4. There was a sign in the room saying auxiliary cables were available at check-​in, but all the had were old cell phone chargers
5. The (solo) desk clerk was nice, but overwhelmed. He had to answer the phone with a line of people waiting to check in with «Can I take your number and call you back?»
6. Side doors leading from sidewalks and parking lots leading to room corridors were not locked. No key card, no problem! You have direct access to guest room halls!
This hotel had a lot of promise but fell VERY short. We will not be back.

Nice spot for drinks, a few laughs with your friends, and to have a quick in-​town getaway. I usually book boudoir photo shoots here because clients love the loft feel of the rooms.
The rooms are spacious, clean and modern. It’s truly a hipster hotel, but worth the stay. I would suggest signing up for their rewards plan to gain points and better rates.
Overall, nice place to chill out and enjoy the restaurants around the Homewood area.

I had an awesome stay at the Aloft! This was my first time staying at an Aloft hotel but I’ve always been a fan of the Starwoods Hotel Group. The staff was very nice, my room was very clean and the bed was so very comfortable. I am definitely a fan. I’ll be looking for more Alofts when I travel.
Oh! The bar was cool too :-)

I love the Aloft chain and the Birmingham property doesn’t disappoint. Spacious rooms, funky décor, and great amenities for the tech crowd who want to plug in while in your room.
The staff was very friendly and attentive, everything was clean and fresh and high quality.
Only minor complaints were that parking can be a bit tight as there’s only a small garage area and the property just seems smaller than some of their other locations. But hey, for where they squished it in Birmingham, it’s great.

What a cool hotel. I’m not super familiar with Birmingham, and I was only in town one night, but I had the pleasure of staying at the sassy, modern Aloft Hotel.
First, it’s pretty darn easy to get to — especially from Atlanta. Take 20 West, and head straight on til morning, basically. When you get to Birmingham, you make like two turns off 20 and you’re there.
The absolute coolest thing about this place is that they allow pets. Not only are they pet friendly, but they don’t charge you a thing for bringing your furry friend with you (if your pup is over 50lbs, I believe there is a waiver. but still no charge. Mine is 35lbs so I didn’t have to deal with the form). Wait, there’s more. they even offer a little bed and treats if you ask. I don’t know many other, if any, hotels that are so nice. I totally got lucky because I didn’t even make these reservations for myself.
After my local event (the reason I was in town, which was located conveniently on the same block at Pinches Tacos) we wanted to get another drink. There’s a small bar in the lobby of Aloft called Wxyz. and I was able to bring my dog down into the lobby to hang out while we sipped our cocktails. You can’t sit AT the bar with an animal, but like five feet away there are these really nice couches and coffee tables that work just fine :) Though the bartender even apologized that I couldn’t sit at the bar, I was happier the way it worked out anyway!
Another nice change from most of the hotels I’ve ever been in, is that Aloft provides a couple free bottles of water for you in your room. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s free bottled water — who does that?!
I didn’t try EVERYTHING this place had to offer. so I don’t have the full scoop. However, the layout of the room was interesting — I liked it. The bed was super comfy (though I tend to like hotel beds 99% of the time) and overall, it’s a cool, boutiquey, friendly place. Totally recommended!

There’s definitely something about this hotel that makes you feel like you’re in a glorified, tech-​forward hostel or a brand new college campus rec room/​dorm. I don’t say this all-​together dismissively either, there’s a lot of trendy leanings in this hotel and for a town that doesn’t boast stays at the W or Ace, this one will surely do!
The lobby area offers nearly everything you might seek as a traveler: bar with all the necessary trimmings (minus the happy hour), a recharge station where you can grab snacks of all sorts and even a lean cuisine should your late-​night cram session go long (again, dorm-​like). There’s plenty of area to meet with others, so if you’re heading into town for meetings and need a hotel amenable to professional rendezvous, this one’s a winner.
Nearby, there’s a number of local retailers and eateries that you can very very easily walk to. Zoe’s is a stone’s throw, O’Henry’s Coffee around the corner, Urban Cookhouse also nearby and a slew of other spots to spend some dough.
As for the room, it was large, the bed was comfy, shower very chic and the TV very flat. Everything checked out except for the seemingly paper thin walls. I’d definitely stay here again and the neighborhood is quite safe and convenient for those without a car.