On Thursday, Jan. 31, dignitaries from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the City of Birmingham, and Hilton Hotels & Resorts gathered for the grand opening of Hilton Birmingham at UAB, the university’s flagship hotel on campus.
Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, representatives from UAB and Hilton welcomed members of the community to observe the hotel’s collaborative transformation into a property that reflects UAB in both subtle and significant ways. The grand opening activities included property tours and a ribbon cutting, with appearances by members of the UAB Spirit Program and Pep Band.
Formerly the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Birmingham, the property was purchased by the UAB Education Foundation in November of 2016. The hotel’s renovations began in March 2018, with a comprehensive design and refurbishment plan culminating in a top-to-bottom transformation of the hotel.
“The transformation has been extraordinary,” said Lisa Castagna, general manager, Hilton Birmingham at UAB. “It’s been a strategic, collaborative effort between Hilton and UAB to create this flagship Hilton property in the heart of the college campus. From the lighting fixtures above to the flooring below and everything in between, this renovation has been marked by acute attention to detail. Our associates are proud to welcome new and returning guests to the new Hilton hotel. We have also added two distinctive restaurants to match the hospitality and level of service associated with the Hilton brand. The restaurants provide compelling — and delicious — reasons for locals to visit, as well.”
Key highlights of the newly renovated hotel include:
Upgraded Common Areas
The hotel’s lobby features new, original artwork, updated seating, tables, lighting and a sundries shop. A new Connectivity Station was also added, consisting of convenient, complimentary workstations equipped with Wi-Fi-enabled computers, printers and ergonomic seating. Guest corridors and public areas were also upgraded with new wall coverings, detailed crown molding and refinished guest room entry doors.
New Guest Rooms
The renovation has been conducted with subtle details that invite guests to enjoy the history of Birmingham and UAB while enjoying the latest in technology and comfort. Special attention was paid to work areas in the guest rooms and suites to include multiple USB charging ports and custom stone desks. All guest bathroom areas also underwent renovations to feature a new, modern design. The new look also pays tribute to the hotel’s environmental programs by offering entirely LED-lit rooms and suites. Custom guest room carpets and public area carpets finish out the upscale look and feel.
Completed in phases throughout 2018, the renovation included upgrading the hotel suites with more luxurious and contemporary furnishing and enhancing the Executive room categories. Each of the 295 modern guest rooms offers floor-to-ceiling windows, a king or two queen beds, mini-refrigerators, and safes.
The hotel’s top floor features guest rooms with full balconies and unbeatable views of Birmingham’s downtown skyline and UAB campus. Exceptional corner king rooms have expanded working and living spaces with sweeping views of downtown.
Executive Lounge
The Executive Lounge on the lobby level has also been refurbished with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a stunning and an expansive view of the redesigned pool terrace and cityscape, creating a cozy area for both leisure and business guests to relax when staying on the Executive floors and in suites.
The Executive Lounge offers a daily breakfast and a choice selection of alcoholic beverages and hot and cold drinks throughout the day. All Executive Room, Premium Executive Room and Suite Room guests, as well as Hilton Honors Diamond and Gold members, are invited to visit the Executive Lounge to enjoy these special services.
New Dining
Two dining options have been introduced with the hotel’s conversion. The Lab Bar and Kitchen, now open on the hotel’s ground floor, is a Southern-inspired, locally sourced bar and kitchen that complements Birmingham’s thriving culinary scenes. Accessed via an entrance at the corner of University Boulevard and 20th Street South, as well as directly through the hotel, The Lab Bar and Kitchen is purpose-built to serve the community and UAB’s campus as well as hotel guests. At the center of the action is a 27-seat rectangular bar that serves a variety of local craft beers, specialty cocktails and a full menu. Featuring large fire pits and open patio seating, The Lab Bar and Kitchen is a vibrant spot where travelers can kick back, relax and cheers with locals. Helmed by Chef Matthew Comarato, the restaurant showcases its Southern roots through locally sourced ingredients prepared with a modern twist.
The second restaurant is a quick-serve cafe located next door to the Bar. The Lab Market Café serves customers on the go, with seasonal, locally sourced pastries and prepared foods. Made-to-order meals, gourmet salads and sandwiches are available, along with Hilton breakfast service and offerings at “Blaze” Coffee Bar.
Introduction of Fresh Connection
The Fresh Connection concept is a new takeout and delivery service that was created specifically to cater to guests who are increasingly looking for greater convenience, value and variety. Guests who opt for in-room delivery will be greeted by a Fresh Connection runner, who will deliver their order to their door, take-out style. Guests can order favorites from the menu and savor some of the best flavors of Birmingham. Those who want to save the delivery fee and gratuity can opt for pickup in the Lab Market Café.
Transformed Conference Facilities
A grand spiral staircase leads from the hotel lobby to two ballrooms and meeting rooms of a variety of sizes. Hilton Birmingham at UAB boasts 17,000 square feet of high-tech meeting and event space. With a full in-house events team including event management, sales and in-house audiovisual services, by PSAV, the hotel is well-equipped to host galas, weddings, conferences, reunions and events of all sizes.
“We took the opportunity with the transformation to honor some notable UAB graduates who made significant achievements and broke barriers,” Castagna said. “The ballrooms and a large meeting space are named for early female and African-American graduates of the medical program.”
Hamilton Ballroom:
- In 1946, Virginia Dare Hamilton was the only woman in the Medical College of Alabama (precursor to the UAB School of Medicine) and became the first woman to receive the M.D. degree from the program.
- In July 1968, Dr. Herschell Lee Hamilton received a clinical appointment in the Department of Surgery and became the first African-American board-certified general surgeon at University Hospital.
Skipwith Ballroom:
- In March 1969, Delois Skipwith became the first African-American faculty member in the School of Nursing and the first tenure-track African-American faculty member at UAB.
Montgomery Room:
- In September 1923, Jimmie Ethel Montgomery entered the medical school in Tuscaloosa as the school's first full-time female student. In May 1925, she received a B.S. degree in medicine from The University of Alabama, becoming the first woman to graduate from the medical school.
“The renovation features a completely redesigned guest room and public area experience,” said Jodie Mote, UAB Education Foundation. “When our visitors choose to stay with us, be it for business or pleasure, with their partner or their family, we want them to be inspired by their surroundings while enjoying all the services the hotel has to offer."
Hilton Birmingham at UAB is also part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 15 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that cannot be found anywhere else, and free standard Wi-Fi. Members also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check in and choose their room. The hotel is also part of Hilton’s Travel with Purpose corporate responsibility strategy, which fosters sustainable travel and tourism globally.
To mark the hotel’s opening, Hilton Honors members who book at Hilton Birmingham at UAB between Jan. 7 and June 14 will earn 1,000 Bonus Hilton Honors Points per night.
For hotel reservations, visit http://birminghamatuab.hilton.com/ or call 205-933-9000.
For more information on Hilton Birmingham at UAB, media are encouraged to visit https://newsroom.hilton.com/hhr/property/10358.
Find The Lab Bar and Kitchen online at www.LabBarandKitchen.com, on Facebook: @TheLabBarandKitchen and on Instagram: @TheLabBarandKitchen. Join in the conversation with Hilton Birmingham UAB on Facebook: @HiltonBirminghamUAB, Instagram: @HiltonBirminghamUAB and Twitter: @HiltonBham.