5 historic hotels you need to visit in Alabama, including the Malaga Inn

Malaga Inn
Photo via the Malaga Inn on Facebook

Planning your next weekend getaway in Alabama? If you’re looking to reside in style, you have to check out these historic hotels. However, keep in mind that some are said to be haunted 👻

1. St. James Hotel — Selma

Main Entrance Of St. James Hotel
Main Entrance of the St. James Hotel in Selma. Photo via The Bama Buzz

Earlier this year, the 184-year-old St. James Hotel in Selma, Alabama once again opened for business. Since 1837, the historic hotel has overlooked the Alabama River—in fact, the St. James Hotel is the only surviving riverfront Antebellum hotel in the Southeast!

After years of neglect, the St. James Hotel was purchased by Birmingham-based Rhaglan Hospitality, who spent upwards of $5M renovating and modernizing the hotel.

2. Redmont Hotel — Birmingham

Redmont
The Redmont Hotel in Birmingham. Photo via Jacob Blankenship for The Bama Buzz

Opened in 1925, the Redmont Hotel is Birmingham’s oldest continuously-running hotel. This beautiful, 14-story hotel contains 120 rooms that combine the building’s historic charm with modern-day amenities.

However, some say that the Redmont Hotel is haunted. For instance, the ghost of former owner Clifford Stiles has reportedly been seen wandering the halls of the hotel!

3. The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel — Mobile

Battle House Hotel Lobby
Battle House Hotel Lobby. Photo via Liv George for The Bama Buzz.

Built in 1908, the historic Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa is actually the second Battle House Hotel to stand in Mobile—the first was built in 1852 and burned down in 1903. Throughout the years, the Battle House Hotel has had a number of distinguished guests, including Henry Clay, Oscar Wilde and Winfield Scott. In fact, Senator Stephen Douglas was a guest of the hotel the night he lost the 1860 election to Abraham Lincoln!

In 2003, the historic hotel was painstakingly restored by Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) and attached to Mobile’s RSA Battle House Tower.

4. The Tutwiler — Birmingham

Tutwiler
The Tutwiler Hotel in Birmingham. Photo via The Tutwiler Hotel on Facebook

When Birmingham’s original Tutwiler Hotel was demolished in 1974, a group of developers decided to transfer the Tutwiler name to a new location—the former Ridgely Apartments. Originally built in 1913, the “New Tutwiler” has since become a popular hotel & event venue in Birmingham!

According to staff, the current Tutwiler Hotel is haunted by the ghost of Colonel Tutwiler, the original hotel’s namesake. However, Colonel Tutwiler is reportedly a benevolent spirit—he’s more interested in making himself a meal in the hotel’s kitchen than scaring guests!

5. Malaga Inn — Mobile

Malaga Inn
Photo via the Malaga Inn on Facebook

Constructed in Mobile in the early 1860s, the Malaga Inn was originally built as two townhouses for the Goldsmith and Frohlichstein families. However, after a century in private hands, the building was purchased and transformed into a beautiful hotel, with 39 boutique rooms & suites available. The building’s interior courtyard is gorgeous.

However, the hotel is said to be haunted by a female ghost that paces the veranda around Room #7. Some guests have reported swaying chandeliers, moving furniture and lights that come on all by themselves!

What is your favorite historic hotel in Alabama? Tag us @thebamabuzz to let us know!

Nathan Watson
Nathan Watson

Tennessee native who fell in love with Birmingham during college. Graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 2019. Passionate about Birmingham and its continued growth.

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