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  5. Reviews of Optimum - Downtown Sanctuary!

Reviews of Optimum - Downtown Sanctuary!

201 20th Street North 603, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States

#17 of 101 hotels in Birmingham

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 25 apartment reviews

9.0

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.4

  • Comfort

    9.1

  • Location

    9.5

  • Facilities

    9.0

  • Staff

    9.3

  • Value for money

    9.3

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 4 July 2025

    10
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The fact that you smell everything the neighbors cooked.

    It was literally near everything!

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 June 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Clean and Comfortable. We had a few issues with the door keypad and the staff was very responsive. The issue was fixed immediately.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 19 May 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The noise from outside, I guess from us being on the side closer to the street

    the room was beautiful

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 13 May 2025

    10
    It’s an awesome place to stay for the night
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Studio
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Parking I didn’t use because I couldn’t find it

    Beautiful and easy to access

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 15 April 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nice place! Perfect location. Pretty clean overall expect for linens didn’t seem to have been washed. Thankfully, I had my personal sheets to use, but would have been nice to not have to use those.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 28 February 2025

    10
    It was ok
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Studio
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Every thing

    Every thing

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 31 January 2025

    8.0
    Overall very nice in particular for our needs to be near downtown and in particular the BJCC.
    • Business trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 4 nights

    The lock on the door was a bit of an issue as it had to be fiddled with to get it to take hold. This is not necessarily something we did not like about the until/stay, but it would be helpful to add pictures of the specific unit to the listing (I believe the images on the listing we saw were general pics of amenities and not the actual unit we stayed in). This just makes it tough to visually know what the facility is until you arrive.

    Location was good and rate was as well (likely the time of year played a role as it was January). Unit was nice and had a lot of nice little amenities that were appreciated (coffee cups of various flavors/creamer).

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 11 November 2024

    10
    It was amazing.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The access to the parking deck from the back I did not find it. I feel like you took a picture of it and put it in the directions.

    I like everything.

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: 21 October 2024

    10
    Great little apartment right in the city
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Slightly awkward lock system, a key would've been simpler!

    Beautiful apartment, with a well equipped kitchenette if you're cooking yourself. Great location right in the city

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: 7 October 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Needs bed side table both sides of bed. Also bedside lights.

    Appartment lloked brand new. All the equipment you could need including washer drier.

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: 6 October 2024

    9.0
    Very nice
    • Family with young children
    • Studio
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Had trouble getting into the parking deck

    It was close to the hospital

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: 27 June 2025

    7.0
    If this is the future, I'm staying home!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 1 night

    I didn't like the fact that there was NO ONE to assist you on-site. I was given a code to get into the building, another code (two, actually - one in the instructions I received, a second one via a txt message) to retrieve my parking pass from a lock box in the lobby. Somehow, I did NOT initially receive instructions on how to access my room. The telephone Help desk was courteous and helpful, indicating the message had been sent to my email account and to me through Booking.com, and it was in neither place. Turns out I had to install an app on my phone in order to unlock my room! As a tech guy with experience in these things, I was not happy with doing that... We returned to our room LATE at night, and it took several tries, and restarting the app to gain access. What if my phone had died, been stolen, or lost? There WAS a keypad next to the door, so...??? The mattress was a bit soft for our taste, the TV had no local stations, and our morning was disturbed by a cockatoo screaming in the hallway! ...Not my idea of a good time, and having lots of experience with digital security systems, I don't for a minute believe that someone with the know-how and a bit of time could not defeat their locks in short order. I will NOT stay at a place that does not have a live person available in the event of a serious issue or emergency.

    Room was very clean: spacious, really, and laid-out well. I liked the location, as there was a lot of restaurants on and around the block, and it was a short drive to the BJCC Performing Arts Center, where we were headed.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 March 2025

    7.0
    Wonderful. Thank you!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Needed sugar for coffee & a handful of the creamer cups were spoiled. Extra bedding supplies/sheets for futon/pullout sofa. Very confusing trying to figure out where the parking pass was at first but we had a good laugh about it.

    Loved the affordability & decor & access to covered parking garage. It also felt safe!

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 30 September 2024

    7.0
    Great trip, just wish the tub had not needed draining. Groce!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Studio
    • Stayed 1 night

    Everything was great except of the hassle of having to park, go in and get the key card, and then back to car to park in deck. Same thing with leaving. Also, the tub needs major draino. When I showered, the water was quickly above my ankles. GROCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I woke, the water was till in the tub. I had to take the lid off the drain completely off for it to drain at all. Took at least an hour to drain tub. YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

    Great location, bed, view, love the look of the place.

    Stayed in September 2024

  • Reviewed: 11 June 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Studio
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Need a full length mirror and a grab bar by the tub/shower

    I really liked the location and I liked the roof top space.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 23 August 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Studio
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 16 June 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 4 June 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Studio
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 1 June 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 8 April 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 6 April 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 16 January 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 27 December 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 12 December 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in December 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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