The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Alabama

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to Alabama

Are you looking for a hotel for your first trip to Alabama? With plenty of activities and sites, this is a great destination for first-time visitors. So if you're deciding where to stay on your first trip to Alabama, don't worry, we've got you covered. We've analyzed the hotels in Alabama to find out which are the best for first timers based on price, amenities, location, reviews, and guest ratings. In this guide, we'll be showcasing the best hotels for first-time visitors in Alabama, taking into consideration all of these important factors. Whether you're traveling solo, with family, or with friends, there's a hotel that caters to every traveler's needs to make the most of your first trip here. So, if you're visiting Alabama for the first time, the hotels below will be great options, as many of them have pools, breakfast, and plenty of comforts to help you relax. So, here they are, the best hotels in Alabama for first time visitors.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National

Opelika, Alabama
3-star Resort with prices starting at $239 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Located at 3700 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National has great rooms from $239 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, an outdoor pool, a pool bar, a pool bar, and room service. It has a terrific 8.80 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 77.1 miles from the city center, first time visitors will especially love room service, a restaurant, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a fitness center at this relaxing hotel. We love the convenience of room service, and it's really nice here.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Bicycle rental
  • Tennis
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Breakfast in the room


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Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa

Birmingham, Alabama
4-star Resort with prices starting at $332 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Alabama
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

A great place to stay is Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa which has nice rooms starting at $332. Offering an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar, it also has a great guest rating of 9.30 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 4000 Grand Avenue. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers laundry services, golf, pet-friendly rooms, a hot tub, and a game room which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 45 miles from the city center. Everyone loves a nice pool, and you won't be disappointed with this one.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection

Point Clear, Alabama
4-star Resort with prices starting at $580 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

We found The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $580. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.20 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at One Grand Boulevard, P.O. Box 639. You'll also find child care, laundry services, golf, a hot tub, and a game room which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 171.3 miles from the center of town. Unwinding at the restaurant after sightseeing is a nice way to end the day.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Kids' club


The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel

Gulf Shores, Alabama
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $220 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Alabama
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

With terrific rooms from $220, The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel, at 21196 East Beach Blvd provides an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and snorkeling. Its terrific guest rating is 9.00 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers a bar, parking, hiking, a game room, and bicycle rental. It's located just 180.9 miles from the city center, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Parking
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Game room
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Holiday Inn Express & Suites Gadsden W-Near Attalla By IHG

Gadsden, Alabama
2-star Hotel with prices starting at $135 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for first time trip hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Gadsden W-Near Attalla By IHG has a great guest rating of 9.00 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, an outdoor pool, room service, room service, and a fitness center. The great rooms here start at $135 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at 106 Walker Street. Furthermore, it also offers a fitness center, child care, child care, laundry services, and laundry services, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 94.3 miles from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. Everyone loves a good hot tub, and this one is really nice. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Room service
  • Airport shuttle
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Fitness center
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Free parking
  • Microwave
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Refrigerator


The Hotel at Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $139 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

The great guest rating of The Hotel at Auburn University is 9.50 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $139, and it's located at 241 South College Street. We also love the parking, laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, laundry facilities, and bicycle rental which are great for visitors. And since it's just 74.5 miles from the center of the town, the location is great, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Bicycle rental
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Gulf Shores Plantation

Gulf Shores, Alabama
3-star Resort with prices starting at $177 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Alabama

A cool place is Gulf Shores Plantation because it has great rooms that start at $177. It has an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a fitness center, scuba diving, and snorkeling, it also earned a great guest rating of 8.50 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 497 Plantation Road 1250. Only 186.5 miles from the city center, travelers will especially love a bar, parking, hiking, rooms with kitchens, and golf at this convenient hotel. Don't forget that there's a kitchen in the room to cook your meals, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Parking
  • Kitchen
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Wingate by Wyndham Mobile

Mobile, Alabama
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $111 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.

Wingate by Wyndham Mobile offers an outdoor pool, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a fitness center, and laundry services which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $111 (before taxes). It's located at 516 Springhill Plaza Court and has earned a guest rating of 8.50/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers laundry services, golf, golf, free parking, and free parking which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 162.7 miles from the city center. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Fitness center
  • Laundry service
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Free parking
  • Family rooms
  • Family rooms


Perdido Beach Resort

Orange Beach, Alabama
3-star Resort with prices starting at $321 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Alabama
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Located at 27200 Perdido Beach Boulevard, Perdido Beach Resort has great rooms from $321 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a water park, and a restaurant. It has a terrific 9.40 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find a fitness center, scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, and parking which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 177.6 miles from the center of town. The water slides are especially fun!

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Water park
  • Snorkeling
  • Parking
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms

Gulf Shores, Alabama
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $127 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • Heated pool

A great place to stay is Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms which has nice rooms starting at $127. Offering an outdoor pool, a water park, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving, it also has a great guest rating of 8.40 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 3750 Gulf Shores Parkway. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers snorkeling, a bar, hiking, laundry services, and golf. It's located just 178 miles from the city center, too. You'll love relaxing in the heated pool after a busy day exploring. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Water park
  • Snorkeling
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Also, take a look at the first time trip hotels in nearby destinations: Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Oxford, and Prattville.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Alabama, make sure you also see Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Alabama, Best Luxury Hotels in Alabama, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Alabama, Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Alabama, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Alabama, Best Hotels for One Week in Alabama, Best Hotels for One Night in Alabama, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Alabama, Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Alabama, or Best Business Hotels in Alabama.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Alabama?

Alabama Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$136

Travelers to Alabama will have a large number of terrific first time trip accommodation options with a variety of great prices. The price of first time trip hotels here can vary by amenities, dates, and the neighborhood. Based on thorough data from 251 first time trip hotels, their average price is a very reasonable $136. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Alabama.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 4-star hotels: $211
  • 3-star hotels: $133
  • 2-star hotels: $119


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