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Elyton Hotel

Elyton Hotel

Boutique hotel in historic 1909 Empire Building, part of Marriott Autograph Collection, rooftop bar

Travel & Hospitality
Elyton Hotel

TripAdvisor (≈4.3/5 from ~400 reviews)

Service & staff: Many recent TripAdvisor reviews highlight the friendly, attentive service, especially from the valet and front‑desk teams. Guests mention individuals by name and note that employees offered restaurant recommendations and “went above and beyond.” For example, a February 2026 reviewer praised valet attendant Darius and said that breakfast at The Yard was excellent. Another review noted that “Lee Whitting was the best valet” and rated all sub‑categories (value, rooms, location, cleanliness, service and sleep quality) 5/5. Others echoed similar praise for valet Jeremy Lee and front‑desk staff.

Cleanliness & rooms: Recent visitors generally describe the rooms as clean and comfortable. Some reviews note that the hotel is housed in a 1909 building and has a boutique feel with stylish décor.

Rooftop bar & location: The rooftop bar (Moon Shine) and the hotel’s downtown location are recurring positives. Several reviewers call the rooftop views “great” and appreciate being able to walk to nearby restaurants.

Criticisms: A few reviewers say room service was unavailable or limited. Other complaints include pricey valet parking and occasional street noise due to the downtown setting.

Yelp (≈3.6/5 from ~107 reviews – wide range of experiences)

Positive notes: Many Yelp users love the historic architecture and décor, calling it a “unique and beautiful design” and praising the friendly staff. Several appreciate the rooftop Moon Shine bar and describe it as “amazing” with great views. Guests also mention thoughtful touches such as complimentary champagne and attentive front‑desk service.

Room & building issues: Numerous reviewers warn that the rooms are small and that the hotel lacks a business center. Some encountered maintenance problems such as no toilet paper, clogged sinks or empty soap dispensers. Several guests report loud street noise or thin walls and note that the surrounding neighborhood can feel unsafe at night.

Dining & bar: While some praise The Yard restaurant and Moon Shine bar, others found the burger poorly cooked and described overpriced drinks and limited liquor availability. A few reviewers say service at the Yard was slow and tables were dirty.

Service & management: Staff friendliness is frequently praised, yet several Yelp reviews describe management as disorganized or unresponsive. One user claimed the general manager over‑promised and lied. Others complain about long waits for valet, lost reservations and lack of accountability when cars were broken into.

Overall: Yelp reviewers are sharply divided. Many love the hotel’s character and hospitality, but others report serious issues such as housekeeping oversights, noise, safety concerns and poor management.

Google Reviews (≈4.5/5 from ~1,000 reviews)

Overall rating & atmosphere: Google users rate the Elyton highly (4.5/5) and describe it as a chic 4‑star hotel in a 1909 building. The hotel is characterized by a farm‑to‑table restaurant, gym and refined lounge.

Service & dining: Summarized snippets indicate that guests widely praise the service and concierge. The Yard’s breakfast receives positive comments such as “very good!” and “staff … wonderful, friendly and attentive”. Moon Shine bar is noted for its eclectic atmosphere and city views.

Pricing: Google lists a typical nightly rate of $200–$295, and the hotel is marketed as upscale. There is less detail on individual complaints in the publicly accessible snippets, but the high rating suggests that many Google reviewers are satisfied.

Reddit (limited publicly visible text)

The existence of threads such as “Top of the Elyton is stunning” suggests that locals appreciate the rooftop bar for its views. Another post titled “Staycation – Hotel Choice” compares the Elyton to the historic Redmont for a special‑occasion stay, indicating that Reddit users consider Elyton one of the city’s notable boutique hotels. Overall, Reddit discussion appears to highlight the rooftop bar and downtown location while weighing it against other local hotels; full comment details require login and aren’t directly accessible here.

Overall Sentiment

Historic charm & design: Reviewers consistently praise the Elyton’s conversion of the 1909 Empire Building into a modern boutique hotel with stylish décor.

Service: Many guests commend the friendly and attentive staff, particularly valet and front‑desk employees. Yelp reviews are more mixed; some describe outstanding service while others complain about unresponsive management.

Amenities: The rooftop Moon Shine bar and The Yard restaurant are major draws. Positive comments highlight the rooftop’s city views and craft cocktails. However, several Yelp reviewers cite overpriced drinks, limited liquor inventory and slow service.

Room quality & maintenance: Guests appreciate comfortable beds and modern furnishings, but frequent complaints involve small rooms, maintenance issues (clogged sinks, no toiletries) and inconsistent housekeeping.

Noise & location: The downtown location is convenient for walking to bars and restaurants, yet some guests experience street noise and note that the area can feel unsafe at night. TripAdvisor reviewers also mention occasional noise but generally consider the location a plus.

Value & pricing: The hotel charges upscale rates (around $239/night). Yelp reviewers are divided on whether the experience justifies the price, with some praising the overall value and others feeling it is overpriced given service issues.

Summary: Elyton Hotel’s historic building, stylish design and popular rooftop bar make it a distinctive place to stay in downtown Birmingham. Most reviewers praise the friendly staff and convenient location. However, experiences vary widely: some guests have flawless stays, while others report small rooms, maintenance problems, noise and uneven service. Travelers seeking a boutique experience with great views may enjoy the Elyton but should be aware of potential service and noise issues, and may want to confirm that maintenance and housekeeping meet expectations.

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