HOTEL SUMMARY

Where academic excellence meets ultra-luxury hospitality, **The Laurel Hotel and Spa Auburn** redefines the boutique hotel experience as Alabama's first experiential teaching hotel. Nestled within Auburn University's $110 million Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, this extraordinary property transforms education into artistry, creating an unparalleled destination where guests become part of a living laboratory of hospitality innovation.

Conceived as more than a luxury retreat, The Laurel represents a groundbreaking collaboration between Auburn University and Ithaka Hospitality Partners, led by visionary CEO Hans van der Reijden. Designed by the acclaimed Cooper Carry architectural firm, this 155,000-square-foot marvel integrates cutting-edge educational facilities with sophisticated guest accommodations. The hotel's crown jewel—a productive rooftop garden managed by the College of Agriculture—supplies fresh ingredients directly to the culinary operations below, embodying true farm-to-table philosophy at its most elegant.

The Laurel's intimate scale ensures exclusivity with just 16 meticulously appointed guest rooms, 10 suites, and 6 residences. Each accommodation reflects scholarly sophistication through velvet furnishings, gold accents, and expansive area rugs that evoke a distinguished professor's study. **The Laurel Hotel and Spa suites** elevate the experience with fully stocked wet bars featuring premium spirits, while marble-framed soaking tubs, rainforest showers, and luxurious Bulgari amenities define the opulent bathrooms. Every detail speaks to the property's ultra-luxury positioning while maintaining an approachable, unstudied elegance.

Culinary excellence takes center stage at 1856 – Culinary Residence, the hotel's 46-seat teaching restaurant where James Beard Award winners including Joël Antunes and five-time nominee Ford Fry have guided the program. Students from the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management orchestrate seamless service while utilizing ingredients harvested from the rooftop garden. Walt's on the Roof captivates with panoramic campus views and seasonal cocktails, hosting weekly epicurean events from Towers & Tinis Tuesdays to Bourbon & Bites Thursdays. The signature spa provides sanctuary through serene treatment rooms, a therapeutic salt room, and eucalyptus steam room, while the rooftop pool offers tranquil respite with commanding views of Auburn.

For discerning travelers seeking **Auburn luxury hotel** experiences beyond the ordinary, The Laurel delivers unmatched proximity to Auburn University's landmarks—Samford Hall, Toomer's Corner, and Jordan-Hare Stadium lie within easy walking distance. Book the suites for the ultimate experience, particularly during Auburn's vibrant academic seasons when the hotel's educational energy reaches its peak, creating memories that transcend traditional luxury hospitality.