The city of Alabaster, nestled in the center of the state of Alabama, was named for the owner and operator of the Alabaster Lime Company, George L. Scott, Sr. The city was originally a shipping point for the alabaster and was first known as "Scott Rock." A town eventually grew in the area to accommodate the growing number of employees and was renamed Alabaster, due to the prevalence of the carbonate mineral in the area.
The son of the founder of the city, George Scott, Jr., opened the town's first bank and was named as the first mayor. While Scott's first attempt at incorporation in 1952 failed, the petition was again filed in 1953 with the town officially receiving incorporation status in February of that year. Shortly following, the Alabaster Water and Gas Board was formed.
The city continued to thrive, and the population grew, becoming a popular city for families. The area is now known for its natural beauty as it is home to many parks and nature preserves making it a popular place for tourists and those looking to enjoy some day trips.
Is there an ideal time to visit Alabaster?
Due to its southern location, the city of Alabaster enjoys warm temperatures and sunshine throughout the whole year, making it the perfect time to visit during any season. Since the weather in the summer can be hot and humid, the best time of year for visitors to enjoy the Alabama area is from mid-March to mid-May. During this time of year, the temperatures are pleasant, and there is little precipitation. While accommodations are not much more expensive during this time of year, the area is more crowded.
If you are looking to beat the crowds and don't mind the hot weather, you may find that accommodations are easier to find during the summer months. For those looking to get away from the cold weather in the north, the winter months can be a popular time to head to the Alabaster area.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Alabaster, AL:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs displaying average price patterns by star rating class in Alabaster, AL. Analyze these line graphs to evaluate the most cost effective time to make a reservation in Alabaster for your upcoming travels.
What luxury hotels are in Alabaster, AL?
4 Star Average Prices: $100.67
If you are looking to enjoy some more upscale accommodations, you may have to travel a little outside of the city limits to find the amenities you are looking for.
If you travel less than ten miles outside of the city limits to Birmingham, you can enjoy the luxury accommodations at The Embassy Suites, located on Johns Hawkins Parkway, offers extremely comfortable rooms that feature 37-inch LCD televisions with cable programming, refrigerators, microwaves, and complimentary designer toiletries. Guest will enjoy upscale amenities such as an indoor pool, fitness facilities, an on-site restaurant that provides complimentary morning breakfast, free Wi-Fi, a gift shop, and laundry facilities. You will also enjoy the hotel's convenient location just a few minutes from Oak Mountain Amphitheater and The Birmingham Zoo.
Another hotel that provides luxury accommodations a short distance from the city is The Wynfrey, a Hyatt Regency hotel. The hotel includes amenities such as an outdoor pool with sun loungers, complimentary airport transportation, on-site shopping and banking, free Wi-Fi, a health club, laundry facilities, and an on-site night club. You will be just a short drive from The Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Vulcan Statue, and The Alabama Museum of Health Sciences. The comfortable rooms include flat-screen televisions, down comforters, premium bedding, cable programming, and iPod docking stations.
Does Alabaster, AL offer affordable hotel options?
3 Star Average Prices: $118.20
If your budget is a little tighter for your trip, or you don't want to spend a lot on your accommodations, you can still travel in style at one of the affordable area hotels listed below.
The Best Western Plus, located on Bishop Circle in nearby Pelham, offers the perfect accommodations at a reasonable price. During your stay, you can enjoy rooms that feature refrigerators, flat-screen televisions with digital programming, microwaves, and desks. You will enjoy the hotel's central location, close to many popular attractions and stops such as The Oak Mountain State Park, The Riverchase Galleria, and Downtown Hoover. Amenities you can enjoy during your stay include an outdoor pool, a business center, fitness facilities, and free Wi-Fi.
Also located nearby in Pelham, The Comfort Inn on Pelham Parkway features amenities such as complimentary morning breakfast and Wi-Fi, an outdoor seasonal pool, laundry facilities, and express check-out services. You will be located just a short drive from The Shops at Grand River, the Alabama Men's Hall of Fame, and the Birmingham Ski Club. Rooms at the hotel are outfitted with refrigerators, microwaves, satellite programming, desks, and separate sitting areas.
2 Star Average Prices: $82.18
How can you get the best discounts in the Alabaster area?
If you are looking to make the most of your vacation, you can save an additional amount of money off of your nightly rates by taking advantage of one of the many area hotels that offer discounted nightly rates. One hotel that offers discounted nightly rates to both active and retired military members or government employees is The Holiday Inn Express that is located on Balmoral Drive.
The hotel offers guests amenities such as a 24-hour fitness facility, complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast, an indoor pool, laundry facilities, and express check-in services. Rooms are outfitted with refrigerators, microwaves, satellite programming, iPod docking stations, and hair dryers. You will also enjoy the convenient location of the hotel just a short distance from Downtown Calera, The Samual Ullman Museum, and The Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens.
Another hotel in the area that offers discounts to government and military personnel is The Candlewood Suites. The hotel is just a short distance from popular stops such as The Central Alabama Paintball Park, Ballantrae Golf Club, and The Riverchase Galleria. Rooms are outfitted with refrigerators, microwaves, pillowtop beds with premium bedding, and LED televisions with satellite programming. Amenities that guests can enjoy during their stay include fitness facilities, dry cleaning services, on-site shopping, and a 24-hour business center.
What are the best hotels in Alabaster, AL?
If you are looking to find a great value and the best combination of room comfort, amenities, rates, and location, you can find what you are looking for at one of the area hotels below.
Just a short distance away in Pelham, The Fairfield Inn & Suites, located on Cahaba Valley Road, offers their guests plenty of amenities including free Wi-Fi, fitness facilities, an on-site restaurant, indoor pool, concierge services, a spa tub, and a 24-hour business center. The rooms are extremely comfortable and feature LCD televisions with satellite programming, a pillowtop bed, refrigerators, and an iPod docking station. The hotel is located less than 15 miles from Alabama Adventure, Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, and The Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Another great area hotel is The Hampton Inn & Suites. Rooms are comfortable and relaxing with refrigerators, LCD televisions with cable programming, microwaves, and minibars. Amenities that the hotel feature include a 24-hour business center, laundry facilities, fitness facilities free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and an outdoor pool. During your stay, you will be close to many of the popular attractions such as The Oak Mountain State Park, The Birmingham Ski Club, and The Alabama Men's Hall of Fame.
What things should you see and do in Alabaster?
No matter whether you are visiting Alabaster to see one of the many parks, visit one of the area museums, or just enjoy the attractions and historic stops that the surrounding cities have to offer, you can find something to create the perfect vacation in the Alabaster area.
If you are going to the area to enjoy the many natural surroundings and green spaces, you can find many parks to enjoy a day of hiking or picnicking. Plan a trip to The Oak Mountain State Park, Moss Rock Preserve and Waterfalls, Aldridge Gardens, or Buck Creek Trail. If shopping is your passion, you can plan to spend the day at the Riverchase Galleria, which is home to two floors of shopping. Play some games at the arcade, or enjoy a lunch at one of the many food venues in the food court.
For those planning a family vacation with children, you may want to plan day trips to The Birmingham Zoo or Alabama Adventure. Are you wanting to learn more about the history or the culture of the area? You can add stops to Kenneth R. Penhale City of Helena Museum, the Oak Mountain Amphitheater, The Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens, and Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center.
Are you looking to get away from the cold and enjoy the warm temperatures, sunshine, and green spaces the city of Alabaster has to offer? Are you looking to enjoy some shopping, history, and local culture? No matter what your plans are for your vacation to Alabama, you can find the perfect accommodations with HotelPlanner to suit any budget in and around the Alabaster area.
FAQs about hotels in Alabaster
How much does a cheap hotel in Alabaster cost per night?
In the last year, a 2 star hotel in Alabaster can be as cheap as $82.18 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a 3 star hotel in Alabaster cost per night?
In the last year, the average 3 star hotel in Alabaster has been $118.20 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a high-end hotel in Alabaster cost?
In the last year, the average 4 star hotel in Alabaster has been $100.67 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
What did travelers think of the city of Alabaster?
Below are reviews of the city of Alabaster, AL from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Good place"
Score
5.0 / 5
Jerry B., from 21-Aug-2026
"Love Alabaster"
Score
5.0 / 5
Mary D., from 23-May-2026
"Felt very safe"
Score
4.0 / 5
Friendly folks and noticed sheriff security. Felt very safe!
Martha B., from 31-Mar-2026
"Close to relations"
Score
4.0 / 5
Daniel W., from 06-Mar-2026
"Close to Birmingham"
Score
4.0 / 5
Close to Birmingham for chemo the next day without being in the MESS that is greater Birmingham. Has all the good places to eat and shop without the traffic.
Tamarah M., from 13-Feb-2026
"South of Birmingham"
Score
5.0 / 5
Jay P., from 09-Oct-2025
"Love this place!"
Score
4.0 / 5
This city has have a lot to offer. Love the place.
Wilkins R., from 16-Sep-2025
"Plenty of Shopping!!!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Plenty of places to shop!
Emily N., from 21-Mar-2025
"Shopping!!!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Plenty of places to shop!
Emily N., from 21-Mar-2025
"Really Great Location"
Score
4.0 / 5
It had a great location. Anything you might need, like shopping,activities, etc,is close by or easy to get to.
Michelle B., from 21-Jun-2016
The average traveler rating of the city of Alabaster, AL shown above is
4.4 out of 5 based on 10 reviews