Red Roof Inn & Suites Athens, AL

Red Roof Inn & Suites Athens, AL

1218 Kelli Dr, Athens, AL 35613, Athens, United States

2-star hotel

Guest rating: 3.6 / 5

Overview

Red Roof Inn & Suites Athens, AL is a budget, 2-star hotel set in a commercial area just off Interstate 65 in Athens, Alabama. It offers a low-key, no-frills stay geared toward travelers who want an affordable, convenient place to sleep near the highway. Rooms are accessed via exterior corridors, typical of a roadside motor-inn layout.

Rooms

Guest rooms are straightforward, equipped with Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, and microwaves, allowing guests to store and heat their own food. Reviewers frequently mention comfortable beds and generous pillows, though cleanliness has been inconsistent according to some guest reports.

Amenities & Recreation

The property features a seasonal outdoor pool for warm-weather use and a coin-operated laundry, useful for extended stays or travelers passing through on longer road trips. Breakfast and on-site parking are both available, adding convenience for guests arriving by car.

Location

Positioned off Interstate 65, the hotel is about 3 miles from the Alabama Veteran's Museum and roughly 4 miles from Athens State University, making it a practical base for visiting local history sites or the university. Big Memorial Spring Park is also within a few miles. Guests wanting to explore the Decatur area's attractions -- including the Cook Museum of Natural Science, Old State Bank, Carnegie Visual Arts Center, and Rhodes Ferry Park -- should expect roughly a 17-20 km (about 11-12 mile) drive.

Best for

This hotel suits budget-conscious road-trippers and highway travelers who need a convenient, affordable overnight stop just off Interstate 65. It also works for visitors attending events at Athens State University or exploring the Alabama Veteran's Museum, given the short driving distance to both.

Travel tips

Since the hotel sits right off Interstate 65 in a commercial area, having a car is highly recommended for reaching both nearby Athens attractions and the wider array of Decatur sites, many of which are 17-20 km away. Guests planning to visit the seasonal outdoor pool should check timing, as it is likely only open in warmer months. Bring quarters or check for card options if planning to use the on-site coin-operated laundry.

What guests say

Guest feedback is mixed but centers on a few recurring themes. Positive mentions frequently cite friendly staff, a basic hot breakfast with eggs, sausage, and biscuits, comfortable beds with ample pillows, and strong value given the low room price and convenient location. On the negative side, some guests reported cleanliness problems, including leftover dirty towels, insects, dirt near the air conditioning unit, and an unclean bathtub. There were also complaints about inflexible policies when guests needed to change or correct a booking, with reports of unhelpful staff responses in those situations. Overall, the hotel appears to satisfy travelers seeking a cheap, functional stay but disappoints those expecting consistent cleanliness or flexible customer service.

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