Auburn, Alabama
As Alabama’s first ultra-luxury hotel and spa—and the state’s first and only AAA Five Diamond hotel—The Laurel Hotel & Spa brings exceptional dining, elevated wellness, thoughtful design, and an extraordinary level of service, all under one roof. From mornings at Thrive Farmers Coffee Roastery & Café to evenings at 1856 – Culinary Residence, every detail is centered around delighting guests through food, wine, education, relaxation, and unparalleled Southern hospitality.
The Laurel is as sophisticated as it is warm and welcoming, equally suited for a celebratory getaway, corporate retreat, restorative weekend, or simply an excuse to linger a little longer in Auburn, Alabama.
Make a weekend on the Plains feel unexpectedly indulgent. Come for the reservation at 1856-Culinary Residence. Stay for the luxury rooms, club-level amenities, and full-service spa.
Why it’s worth the trip
- From the moment you arrive, every part of the experience is intentionally guest-centered, pairing world-class hospitality with an atmosphere that feels warm and welcoming rather than overly formal.
- The Laurel excels at creating spaces guests genuinely want to settle into throughout the day. The guest rooms balance upscale luxury with comfort, while the sixth-floor Library serves as a natural hub of the hotel, welcoming guests for breakfast each morning and later for club-level amenities, including happy hour and late-night offerings.
- The culinary offerings alone are reason enough to book the trip. Dinner at 1856-Culinary Residence, the first teaching restaurant in the country recognized by the MICHELIN Guide, blends fine dining with culinary education in a way that feels unique to Auburn. Mornings start at Thrive Farmers Coffee Roastery & Café, while Hey Day Market offers a more casual food-hall dining option.
Check In & Check This Out
- On the 6th floor, “the library” serves less as a quiet hideaway and more as a beautifully designed gathering space—the kind of place where guests take their time with their coffee, cocktails, conversation, a good book, or something delicious between plans.
- The spa goes far beyond the standard hotel treatment menu, offering a Himalayan salt room, beauty room, and multiple revitalizing spaces designed entirely around restoration and relaxation. Book a treatment, then give yourself extra time to fully settle in before and after.
- The guest-only rooftop pool provides a tranquil corner of the property, perfect for slow afternoons between reservations, spa appointments, or exploring Auburn. Private cabanas with oversized daybeds and televisions offer an even more elevated way to unwind, whether that means enjoying poolside cocktails and snacks or catching the game between dips in the water.
- For the best sunset views in Auburn, head to Walt’s on the Roof for small bites and cocktails overlooking Samford Hall and the surrounding campus.
The Little Details
Deep soaking tubs, elevated room amenities, luxurious textures, and thoughtful touches throughout the property make it especially easy to feel pampered.
Beyond the Dinner Reservation
Cooking classes, cocktail workshops, wine education, and other interactive culinary moments make the stay feel layered and immersive.
The Sky Garden
The rooftop sky garden supplies organic produce for 1856-Culinary Residence and the hotel’s culinary laboratories, cultivated alongside students in Auburn University’s Horticulture Department.
Hospitality at its finest
In partnership with the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management, The Laurel’s hospitality is shaped by students learning the art of exceptional service firsthand. Guests can’t help but notice (and love) the warmth, care, and attention woven throughout their stay.
