CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for hotels and motels in Birmingham, AL
Hotels and motels in the Birmingham, AL metro area: 182 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs an 18-person team.
- Establishments
- 182CBP 2023
- Employees
- 3,308mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 15.3U.S. 16.4
- Rank
- 51st of 917areas by count
How many hotels and motels are in Birmingham, AL?
County Business Patterns counts 182 hotels and motels (NAICS 721110, Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels) in the Birmingham, AL metro area for 2023. They employed 3,308 people in mid-March and paid $100.3 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 51st out of 917 areas with published figures for hotels and motels.
Measured against its 1.2 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 15.3 hotels and motels per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 16.4, so Birmingham, AL is 7.1% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 18.2 employees, compared with 26.8 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $30,333, 23.0% below the national $39,374.
| Measure | Birmingham, AL | Alabama | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 182 | 908 | 55,895 |
| Mid-March employees | 3,308 | 15,851 | 1,497,840 |
| Annual payroll | $100,341,000 | $442,060,000 | $58,976,358,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 18.2 | 17.5 | 26.8 |
| Payroll per employee | $30,333 | $27,888 | $39,374 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 15.3 | 17.6 | 16.4 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
How big hotels and motels in Birmingham, AL are
Of the hotels and motels in Birmingham, AL that had employees in March 2023, 27.5% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 30.9%). 43.4% had fewer than ten. Small teams usually share the phone: the person who answers is often also serving a customer or doing the job, which is when calls get missed.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 50 | 27.5% | 30.9% |
| 5–9 employees | 29 | 15.9% | 14.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 48 | 26.4% | 21.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 43 | 23.6% | 23.1% |
| 50 or more employees | 12 | 6.6% | 9.4% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Calls a hotel in Birmingham, AL has to catch
Independent hotels take reservations, guest requests and group inquiries by phone, and the front desk is staffed around the clock. Calls that go unanswered may become bookings elsewhere.
A few of the calls that come in to hotels and motels in Birmingham, AL:
- The hotel calls a guest to confirm a late arrival.
- A traveler calls to ask about availability this weekend.
- An event planner calls about a room block.
Business texting for hotels and motels
Hotels text check-in details and guest service updates.
Texts sent from a local business number in Birmingham, AL have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for hotels and motels in Birmingham, AL
The average hotel in Birmingham, AL has 18.2 employees, so an 18-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 18 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $540.00 a month and 18 on Ooma Office Pro cost $449.10. Callata comes to $359.00 a month for 18 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,172 less than RingCentral for a hotel in Birmingham, AL of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $359.00 | $4,308.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $342.00 | $4,104.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $414.00 | $4,968.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $449.10 | $5,389.20 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $486.00 | $5,832.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $540.00 | $6,480.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Local area codes for hotels and motels in Birmingham, AL
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 3 area codes. 205 has the most, with 602 of 727 exchanges (83%). A local number lets guests in Birmingham, AL call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205 | 602 | Central | 1947 | 659 |
| 659 | 121 | Central | 2019 | 205 |
| 334 | 4 | Central | 1995 | 483 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
What hotels and motels in Birmingham, AL get with Callata
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Birmingham, AL is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many hotels and motels are there in Birmingham, AL?
Census County Business Patterns counted 182 hotels and motels in the Birmingham, AL metro area in 2023. They employed 3,308 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for an 18-person hotel?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 18 users cost $540.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $449.10 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $359.00.
What area code should a hotel in Birmingham, AL use?
Area code 205 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 659 and 334. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a hotel?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.