Safe, cheap, hotel off 65 (Birmingham, Montgomery: safe area, restaurants, shops)

[airen123]

Hello! Heading for the Gulf and want to stop overnight somewhere just past Birmingham, Hoover area. Found a Sleep Inn for $65 in Hoover, and Super 8 in Homewood for $49, and a Homewood by Hilton by the Galleria for $84. We just want to stay somewhere that is cheap and safe. Suggestions appreciated!

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by airen123

Hello! Heading for the Gulf and want to stop overnight somewhere just past Birmingham, Hoover area. Found a Sleep Inn for $65 in Hoover, and Super 8 in Homewood for $49, and a Homewood by Hilton by the Galleria for $84. We just want to stay somewhere that is cheap and safe. Suggestions appreciated!

All three are safe, however, I would choose the place by the Galleria. More restaurants in the immediate facility, plus shopping if you need it.

[jakabedy]

I second the Homewood by Hilton. It's in an office park area (quiet) rather than a busy retail area, but it's a short drive (maybe a mile?) to the actual Galleria area and all the restaurants/shops. The Sleep Inn is actually in Pelham, so one exit further south than the Galleria, but there are plenty of restaurants at that exit. I would skip the Super 8 entirely.

[hiway 231]

Originally Posted by airen123

Hello! Heading for the Gulf and want to stop overnight somewhere just past Birmingham, Hoover area. Found a Sleep Inn for $65 in Hoover, and Super 8 in Homewood for $49, and a Homewood by Hilton by the Galleria for $84. We just want to stay somewhere that is cheap and safe. Suggestions appreciated!

You may want to consider going 80 miles south of Birmingham and check out Prattville. Several nice motels and restaurants and a lot less traffic than Birmingham.

[airen123]

Thanks for the replies! We will probably want to do dinner, so I will look around the Galleria.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by airen123

Thanks for the replies! We will probably want to do dinner, so I will look around the Galleria.

Lots of places to eat in that immediate vicinity, but most are chains. The locally owned places are typically closer to downtown, etc. However, J. Alexander's is good for chain restaurants if you want to go upscale, while Firebirds is more middle-brow.

Any other suggestions from the peanut gallery?

[harry chickpea]

I'd skip the Prattville suggestion. Had to stay at a couple places between Hoover and Montgomery a few years back and was MUCH less than impressed - enough to resolve not to do so again.

[jakabedy]

I agree with the J. Alexanders' and Firebirds recommendations for nice chain places. The latter has a nice pecan crusted trout with mango chutney/salsa. For local suggestions, it's a couple-mile trek up 150 from the Galleria, but I love Jubilee Joe's, in a little strip mall near the Lake Trace neighborhood. It's seafood with a cajun flair and the BEST crab bisque. But if you're going to the beach, you may not want Birmingham seafood! For home-grown there is also Baumhower's Wings behind the Galleria. I really like their wings because they aren't breaded, and are cooked hot and long enough to be crispy and not flabby. It's a sports place (Baumhower played for 'bama back in the day), so there are a lot of TVs, and its fairly noisy. But that might be a good thing if you have kiddos with you. Finally, there is Iguana Grill on Lorna Road. Good Mexican food.

[rawrockills]

I second jakabedy's suggestion of Iguana Grill.

[airen123]

Well, looks like my husband wants to drive a little further (so he feels like he is closer to the beach, LOL)...So Montgomery/Prattville suggestions? Just a hotel in a safe area off 65 South...possibly late dinner around 8 pm...
Thank you so much-y'all are friendly like the Tennessee boards, where I reside!