The Collegiate Hotel :: Auburn, Alabama

Classic southern hospitality. Auburn tradition. Historic pieces. Art deco mod with an Auburn flare. L&L is proud to feature Auburn's newest "kid" on the block, The Collegiate Hotel. Every time I walk through the front door, I fall in love (I need this decor for myself) and it's one of the most Insta-worthy spots in town.

The owner's, Kim and Brian Worth, purchased this building, less than a block from Auburn University, with dreams of renovating an older, historic dormitory. And, you can definitely note the fruits of their labor as they renovated the historic dorm into a chic boutique hotel. Every detail was thoughtfully curated and crafted to reflect the owners' love for their alma mater (with aim to blend Auburn's past with the future). From tastefully incorporating navy and orange elements/pieces into the decor, to displaying art pieces which reflect the pride of The Plains, you'll feel as if you've stepped into a charming southern (football town) fantasy.

While Brian and Kim wanted to put a modern, Auburn spin on the decor, they were also passionate about preserving the building's rich history. The history of the Wittel Dorm dates back to the 1940s, so incorporating some of the building's older elements was a priority. Some highlights include:

Preserving Auburn's first working elevator (and displaying an old article that ran in the Auburn newspaper on the installation), re-purposing older wood from the building for individual room decor, collecting vintage Auburn yearbooks and displaying them at the lobby desk, recovering a classic piece of furniture for the sitting room, salvaging the wood from an old oak tree (previously known for shading the dorm) and converting it into a dining table for The Collegiate's porch.

Building a sense of community and local camaraderie is important to The Collegiate, so they invite visitors and locals to join them for events and drinks at The Bar at Wittel. Personally, I think their rooftop has one of the best views in town! With views of Samford and Jordan-Hare stadium, it's hard to beat (plus, their cocktails are themed and delicious).

One of Kim and Brian's goals with opening The Collegiate was to share the Auburn (and southern) tradition of hospitality and community. "Come as a guest and leave as family."

Done and done.