The Laurel Hotel & Spa
Urban resort meets academic institution. Think warm wood, cool marble, and bold black-and-white bathrooms — modern Southern luxury without the stuffiness. The building has an intellectual edge to it: rooftop edible gardens managed by the horticulture department, a library lounge stocked with complimentary food all day, and a restaurant where the next Joel Robuchon might be plating your amuse-bouche.
1856 is closed Sunday and Monday — plan your reservation for Tue–Sat. The 8-course tasting menu ($125/person) is available all nights; the 5-course ($85) is Tue–Thu only.
Why It Matters
Alabama's first and only AAA Five Diamond property. The 1856 Culinary Residence was recognized in the Michelin Guide 2025, making it Auburn's first Michelin-recognized restaurant and the first U.S. teaching restaurant to receive the distinction. The hotel's 'Garden-to-Glass' philosophy means ingredients grown in the 4,000+ sq ft rooftop garden wind up in your dinner plate, your cocktail, and the mint water at the spa.
The Laurel opened in 2022 as Alabama's first AAA Five Diamond property and the state's only ultra-luxury hotel. It's a genuine teaching hotel built in partnership with Auburn University's Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management — students greet you by name, carry your bags, and run everything from the rooftop bar to the fine-dining kitchen. The result is service that punches well above its 26-room scale, inside a sleek modern building on the Auburn University campus directly across from Samford Hall.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
King Accessible
ADA-compliant version of the standard king room. Identical amenities to the standard King with the addition of grab bars, roll-in showers, and widened doorways for greater mobility.
King · 44 sqm
King Room
16 of these in the building. One king bed, modern design, five-fixture bathroom. Not huge, but well-appointed. Think clean lines, warm wood accents, and a bold black-and-white bathroom with rain shower and soaking tub.
King · 44 sqm
Suite
10 suites available, running 765–766 sq ft. A proper split-layout with a separate living area, 1.5 baths, and a sitting room with a sectional. Floor-to-ceiling windows and tall ceilings make it feel genuinely spacious. The deep soaking tub and multi-jet shower are highlights.
King · 71 sqm
Suite Accessible
ADA-accessible version of the suite at the same 765–766 sq ft footprint. Same luxury appointments as the standard suite with roll-in showers, grab bars, and an accessible design throughout.
King · 71 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
7 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Private guided visit to Auburn University's Raptor Center for a close-up introduction to birds of prey, covering rehabilitation, flight training, and conservation. A nod to Auburn's beloved War Eagle tradition.
Weekly Thursday evening event at Walt's On The Roof pairing curated bourbons with bites.
Weekly Sunday evening cocktail event at Walt's On The Roof featuring crafted martinis and signature Espresso Martini Towers designed for sharing.
Personalized scavenger hunt through the Culinary Center and broader Auburn campus combining discovery challenges, tastings, and exclusive access. Good for team-building or group bonding.
Complimentary bikes available for hotel guests on a first-come, first-served basis to explore the Auburn University campus and downtown. Easy, flat terrain makes it a genuinely useful perk.
A multi-day curated experience combining cooking demonstrations with world-renowned chefs, wine education and tastings with Master Sommelier Thomas Price, a rooftop garden reception, and a 7–9-course tasting menu dinner at 1856 with wine pairings.
Guided multi-sensory wine tasting exploring regional terroir, varietals, and winemaking traditions. Six 3oz pours paired with curated cheeses. Aroma exploration woven throughout.
Intimate rooftop dining experience beside a private fire pit with a personal fondue pot for two.
On-site fitness center for hotel guests.
Exclusive to hotel guests. A heated infinity pool on the rooftop terrace with views of Samford Hall and the Auburn campus. Reserve a private cabana with a spacious daybed, TV, and attentive service. The pool sits alongside 4,000+ sq ft of working edible gardens.
Guided tour of the 4,000+ sq ft rooftop teaching garden with Auburn University horticulture experts. Learn about seasonal ingredients and how they feed 1856 Culinary Residence and the other on-site kitchens. Complimentary and educational.
Private yoga sessions in the rooftop garden with panoramic views of Auburn. Available for individual guests and groups, positioned as a mindful start to the day.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
On-site meeting space accommodating up to 20 guests. Also adjacent to The Hotel at Auburn University which offers 22,000 sq ft of flexible meeting space for larger events.
Exclusive concierge-level lounge for hotel guests. Complimentary food and beverage presentations run throughout the day: breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, and dessert. In-room dining menu also available here. Located on the sixth floor.
Complimentary valet parking at the Laurel Hotel lot off Thach Street. Spa guests also receive complimentary valet.
All room features — lighting, curtains, TV, temperature — controlled via in-room iPad. Ask for a walkthrough on arrival.
No traditional front desk. Guests are met on arrival and taken on a guided floor-by-floor tour of the property. Bags delivered to room. Personalized and unhurried.
Retail shop within The Laurel Spa carrying specialty spa products and gift items.
Infrared Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy mat available as part of the Unplugged Wellness Journey package. Designed to boost mood, activate the immune system, and provide mental clarity.
Over 4,000 sq ft of teaching garden managed by Auburn University's horticulture department. Grows kale, blackberries, sweet corn, herbs, and edible blooms — ingredients fed directly into 1856's kitchen, Walt's cocktails, and the spa's mint water.
BUILD YOUR THE LAUREL HOTEL & SPA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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