Hilton Garden Inn Mobile Downtown
Hilton Garden Inn Mobile Downtown
The Hilton Garden Inn Mobile Downtown sits on the site of Mobile's long lost Cawthon Hotel. Successful druggist, real estate developer and cotton mill owner Orville Cawthon built his hotel in 1906 with accommodations for 400 guests, a mission style lobby with a balcony for the house orchestra, a Ladies' Parlor, a billiard room, a "Tap Room" and a barber shop with a mirrored curving wall reflecting the barber chairs atop a blue and white tiled floor. In 1907 a 7th floor was added - possibly as a response to... the news that the new Battle House would have a roof garden. It contained the glass enclosed Vineyard Cafe with a fountain, light fixtures draped in colored glass grapes and live canaries singing from cages suspended from the ceiling. In addition there were three themed private dining rooms including one dedicated to the arrival of automobiles as expensive toys for the rich. In the 1920’s with the arrival of Prohibition the bars were closed but a rolling cart provided cocktails for thirsty guests. In the event of a raid the bar cart was simply placed inside one of the elevators locked between floors. The agents apparently never thought to check the elevator marked “Out of Order.” Orville Cawthon Jr. and his sister Estelle Cawthon Buck inherited the hotel. Neither had children and Mr. Cawthon, who served as King Felix III over the 1905 Mardi Gras celebration, died in his hotel in 1962.
As developers tore down mansions along Government Street to build motor hotels and motels during the 1960's traditional hotels like the Cawthon, the Battle House and the Admiral Semmes suffered. All three closed after serving more as residences for senior citizens than the traveling public. Thankfully the pendulum has swung the other way. Downtown is once again flourishing and both the Admiral Semmes and Battle House have been refurbished. The motels have met the wreckers with one or two sad exceptions. Unfortunately the Cawthon closed its doors in 1971 and after being stripped of its furnishings was demolished in 1973. After more than 40 years as a parking lot the new Hilton Garden Inn opened in 2017 and features something even the Cawthon lacked: a ground floor terraced bar overlooking Bienville Square with stands for hotel guests during Mardi Gras parades. Orville would be pleased.
The Hilton Garden Inn Mobile Downtown is an upscale, boutique hotel facing Bienville Square and the parade route, and is in walking distance of everything downtown. It was designed to accommodate corporate guests and small meetings and provide for an upscale leisure traveler experience. All the right amenities include a cooked-to-order breakfast, dinner, bar, meeting rooms, fitness center, and a gated secure self-parking surface lot.
The Hilton Garden Inn will finish a complere renovation in December 2026 and is awaiting your inspection.
Hilton Garden Inn Brand Awards
Work at a Top Performing Hotel!
2018 Hotel Success Award / Top 5% of Brand
2019 Connie Award
2022 Conrad Achievment Award
2023 Hilton Award of Excellence, Breakfast Satisfaction Award
2024 Connie Award, Breakfast Satisfaction Award
2025 Conrad Achievment Award
| Address | 15 North Conception Street, Mobile, AL 36602 |
|---|---|
| Property Type | Hotel |
| # Jobs | 1 |
About Cowart Hospitality
THE HOTEL YOU NEED...THE LOCATION YOU WANT
Our hotels are more than great buildings in exceptional locations. We see them as a friendly and welcoming home away from home for our guests; a place of employment and career development for our employees; and an expression of hospitality of our management and owners. Each hotel has a story and was designed for a specific travel purpose in mind. Across the spectrum of price ranges and formats, our hallmarks are cleanliness, friendliness and a commitment to excellent service.
Downtown is the heart of Mobile and the first-choice place to stay and play. Surrounded by the corporate and government center, adjacent to the Port of Mobile, and easy regional access via interstate. Our locations range from high energy main street to peaceful side street, but always in walking distance to everything downtown – restaurants, entertainment, parks, cultural attractions, venues and the water.
Mobile, AL