FAIRHOPE — A historic building downtown has reopened as a boutique hotel and is now accepting reservations.

Located at 131 Fairhope Ave., the building dates back to 1925. It was built by Marmaduke Dyson, an Englishman who would also become president of the Fairhope Single Tax Colony and help develop the Fairhope area. The building previously operated as the Fairhope Hotel and housed several other businesses throughout the decades.

Owner Shelley Springer, who also runs Gumbo Real Estate, acquired the building in 2021, originally operating it under the name Summit Street Inn before deciding to return it to its roots and reopen it under the original Fairhope Hotel name following renovations.

The hotel houses six guest rooms, including two suites: one upstairs and another downstairs with a private entry to the parking lot. Each room has a title tied to the area's history and culture. For example, the Colony Room is named after the Single Tax Colony, which played a role in Fairhope’s formative years. The Jubilee Room is named after the famous jubilees when marine life swarms the shoreline of Mobile Bay. The Eastern Shore is one of just two places on Earth where the phenomenon occurs.

The hotel is located in the heart of Fairhope’s Bayfront Historic District, just a short walk from the businesses and restaurants of downtown Fairhope. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. It has been renovated for modern times and is ready for guests to check in.

“I’m most excited to welcome people that have never been to this area,” Springer said. “I think the Fairhope Hotel is very well situated, and it gives people a glimpse into kind of the way of life here, taking a step back and enjoying old things.”

Weekday and weekend rates start at $179 per night. Visit www.fairhopehotel1925.com for more information.