by Jeanni Ritchie
I stayed at the Birmingham Tree House on a weekend stay to Alabama last month. It was one of the most unique travel experiences I’ve had all year.
Billed a boutique hotel, I found it to be a cross between a bed and breakfast, vintage hotel, and hostel. Plus it has a full-functioning yoga studio to boot!
The historic building, originally the Bingham-Tarrant House, was built in 1898 in Jefferson County, Alabama. The Tree House has preserved much of the original interior including hardwood floors and original doorknobs.
Entry is gained through a code sent prior to your arrival. Like hostels, there is a communal feel, especially in one of the many common areas, and guests from all over the world.
Unlike a hostel, each room has its own bathroom, except the Poet’s Corner with two sets of bunk beds and a bathroom across the hall. They also are decorated to the hilt with uplifting artwork and vintage touches. My room had a string of canopy lights draped from the bedposts to the ceiling light. I also had a closet filled with costumes for dress-up fun!
There were costumes everywhere! Including the “magical closet” where masks, hula hoops, and more costumes were available for play or purchase. There were also books to read and a mountain of mantras adorning every nook and cranny.
The colorful downstairs den was perfect for visiting and playing games while the more subdued dining area off the breakfast nook upstairs was a great place for a morning devotion.
My favorite spot was the front porch, with multiple chairs, hammocks, and loungers to relax on. I spent a great deal of time on the cushioned chaise on the far end of the porch, in the perfect spot for the warmth of the sun while still catching a cool breeze.
A full-kitchen is available for guests to use but its prime downtown Birmingham location had most guests walking to or having nearby food delivered. Less than half a mile away is The Original Pancake House, Insomnia Cookies, Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ, Rockys Pizza and Italian Food, IKKO Japanese Ramen, Golden Temple Vegetarian Cafe, and more. Sidewalks line Five Points South, making for leisurely, albeit hilly, strolls.
There are seven rooms available to rent, five in the main house and two carriage houses (who have full use of the main house). You can reserve one of the rooms or the entire house. Imagine what a fun girls’ trip this could be! Bachelorette weekend, family reunion, girls trip, retreat…the opportunities are endless. There are plenty of open spaces to gather while also having places to unwind privately.
It is their dream to open Tree Houses all across the country, this unique atmosphere the positive and uplifting destination we all deserve.
Visit www.birminghamtreehouse.
Birmingham Tree House Hotel is located at 1309 19th Street South, Birmingham.
Jeanni Ritchie is a freelance journalist, travel writer, and content creator from Central Louisiana. See clips from her Birmingham Tree House stay here: https://www.tiktok.com/
