The Laurel Hotel & Spa
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Hotel Details
Location
The Laurel Hotel & Spa · Auburn, United States
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Key Highlights
- ✓Walt's On The Roof: A vibrant rooftop bar and lounge, perfect for enjoying creative cocktails and tapas with scenic views of Auburn University.
Expert Review: The Laurel Hotel & Spa
The Laurel Hotel & Spa in Auburn, United States, stands out as a Michelin Key Selected property, renowned for its unique blend of luxury hospitality and an innovative teaching environment. Located on the campus of Auburn University, it offers guests a sophisticated stay while providing hands-on training for the next generation of hospitality professionals.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The overall sentiment for The Laurel Hotel & Spa is overwhelmingly positive, often described by guests as an "amazing" and "incredible experience," with many considering it the "best experience" they've ever had at a hotel. Its selection by the Michelin Guide further solidifies its reputation for high quality and exceptional standards.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently praise several aspects of The Laurel Hotel & Spa:
- Service: The personalized and attentive service, often delivered by enthusiastic hospitality students, is a recurring highlight.
- Location: Its prime spot on the Auburn University campus, coupled with proximity to downtown, makes it ideal for campus visitors, sports fans, and those exploring the city.
- Design: The hotel boasts a modern and luxurious design, with sophisticated common areas and stylish amenities.
- Amenities: Key amenities include a chic rooftop pool and lounge with panoramic views, a serene spa featuring a steam room and Himalayan Salt Room, a fitness studio, a rooftop yoga pavilion, and "The Library" which offers complimentary culinary presentations throughout the day.
3. Room Quality
The Laurel Hotel & Spa features 26 spacious guest accommodations, including 16 luxurious rooms and 10 suites. Rooms are designed with a plush, modern, and high-tech approach, incorporating smart room technology like iPad controls for lighting, drapes, and sound systems. Bathrooms are opulent, often including double-sink vanities, deep soaking tubs, rain showers, and premium Bulgari amenities. Suites may also include wet bars with a selection of beverages.
4. Dining Experience
The hotel offers a diverse and high-quality culinary experience:
- 1856 Culinary Residence: This fine dining "teaching restaurant" is a highlight, offering a tasting menu that changes every two weeks, often incorporating organic produce from the hotel's rooftop garden. It's recognized by the Michelin Guide as an inspector-recommended spot for its creative French, European, and American cuisine. Resident chefs guide students in delivering a sophisticated dining experience.
- The Library: Exclusive to hotel guests, this intimate retreat provides complimentary breakfast, light lunch, evening hors d'oeuvres, and a nightly dessert bar.
- Walt's On The Roof: A vibrant rooftop bar and lounge, perfect for enjoying creative cocktails and tapas with scenic views of Auburn University.
- Hey Day Market: A bustling food hall offering a variety of culinary options, from Malaysian street noodles to pizzas and poke bowls.
- Thrive Farmers Coffee Roastery & Café: An on-site coffee shop for a fresh caffeine fix.
5. Service & Staff
The service at The Laurel Hotel & Spa receives consistent commendation for being "first class," "personalized," "attentive," and "welcoming." A unique aspect is its role as a "teaching hotel" for the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management at Auburn University, where students gain real-world experience across all hotel operations. Guests often report that the student staff, alongside seasoned professionals, go "above and beyond" to ensure a memorable stay.
6. Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent location directly on the Auburn University campus, making it highly accessible to major campus attractions. Guests are within walking distance of Samford Hall, Toomer's Corner, Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center, and the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Downtown Auburn, with its restaurants, bars, and shops, is also easily accessible. For air travel, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is approximately 99 miles away, about a 1.5-hour drive, with shuttle services available. Valet parking is offered, sometimes complimentary.
7. Value & Pricing
The Laurel Hotel & Spa is positioned as a luxury property, with rates typically ranging from $400 to $1200 per night. Many guests consider it "worth every cent," noting that it offers a high-end experience comparable to well-known luxury brands like the Ritz Carlton, often at a more favorable rate. The inclusive complimentary breakfast, lunch, and evening treats in The Library also add to the perceived value.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted:
- In-Room Technology: A few guests have found the high-tech room controls, operated via iPad, to be "confusing" or "difficult to figure out," with some reporting issues like non-operative room phones or difficulty with light switches.
- Dining Service at 1856: While the food at 1856 Culinary Residence is highly praised, some feedback indicates that the service, being provided by students in training, can occasionally be "rigid and clunky." Additionally, while 1856 is Michelin-recommended, some public discussions incorrectly refer to it as "Michelin-starred," which is a distinct, higher accolade.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted:
Google Reviews
143 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Adric R
This is the most exceptional hotel I’ve ever stayed at. The customer service is top tier, from valet to check-in to housekeeping. The staff truly makes you feel at home and caters to every need. The Laurel Hotel & Spa has set the standard in Alabama. I will definitely be back and for multiple nights next time, because one night simply wasn’t enough to experience everything the hotel and surroundin...
Response from the owner
Dear Adric, <br>Thank you for such an incredible compliment. Hearing that The Laurel Hotel & Spa stands out as the most exceptional stay you’ve experienced truly means a great deal, especially knowing...
Greg Heston
My wife made three mile trip from our home in Auburn and celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary here. I believe this is the best experience I have ever had a hotel. From pre-arrival to check out everything is first class. The service is very personalized. The room/suite was beautiful clean and had a wonderful view. Others have said the in-room technology was difficult. We are not techies an...
Response from the owner
Dear Greg,<br>Thank you for sharing such a wonderful review with us! We're thrilled you celebrated your 34th wedding anniversary with us and that your entire stay, from pre-arrival to check-out, was t...
Connor Goodman
We stayed here on our first trip to Auburn and it was magnificent! The service, attention to details, friendly staff, and luxurious rooms were greatly appreciated. The location is great as well. We went to the Florida v Auburn gymnastics meet and it was a quick zip over in the car to the arena. The food was superb! And the library on the 6th floor was a great location to read, sketch, and relax.
Response from the owner
Dear Connor,<br>Thank you for choosing The Laurel Hotel & Spa for your first trip to Auburn. We are grateful that your stay felt magnificent overall. It means a great deal to us that our team members’...
elizabeth kennedy
Fantastic experience overall. The spa was lovely. All the food was exceptional. The staff was beyond friendly and helpful in every way and helped us secure an early check-in to accommodate our spa appointments. The rooms were elegant and comfortable and we even got an upgrade upon arrival. We were sad to go and hope to be able to visit again soon!
Response from the owner
Dear Elizabeth,<br>Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience! We are thrilled to hear that the spa, dining, and service all exceeded your expectations and that the team was able to help ...
Vicki Gunter
Auburn has a gem of a place. The service is the best. The daily complementary food service is excellent and the in room service food is better than some of Auburns fine dining. Shout outs to Grace, Cameron, Bagus, and Petros for making our stay most memorable!!!! We are already discussing next trip.
Response from the owner
Dear Vicki,<br>Thank you for sharing such wonderful comments with us. It is fantastic that the service and dining experiences helped make your visit so memorable, and we are especially glad you enjoye...
Courtney Cole
I celebrated my birthday at The Laurel with my boyfriend and we had such a wonderful time! Our bedroom suite was luxurious and I enjoyed all the amenities. One thing I really loved was the breakfast and hors d’oeuvre spread at the Rane Library on the 6th floor. All the food was absolutely delicious and mostly everything was locally sourced from their rooftop garden. The staff at the Laurel are so ...
Response from the owner
Dear Courtney, <br>Thank you for the fantastic review and perfect rating! We're delighted you enjoyed our wonderful breakfast, helpful service, and accommodations. It’s great to know your stay was suc...
