GunRunner
Music-history-obsessed, Southern industrial-eclectic. Think gold records on the walls, Peacock Alley bedding, Keurig on the counter, and leather Chesterfields under ornate chandeliers. Operated on a 'luxurious anonymity' philosophy — keyless entry, no front desk, you come and go as you please.
The Muscle Shoals Sound Suite is the biggest room and the most immersive — Swampette Judy Hood (wife of Swamper David Hood) helped design it, and the clawfoot tub is a serious bonus.
Why It Matters
USA Today's #1 Boutique Hotel in America (2024). The only place to sleep in a building with a bar literally inside a vintage car elevator, surrounded by authentic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio memorabilia and suites designed with input from the actual musicians and families being honored.
Ten individually themed luxury suites inside a historic downtown Florence building — once used as a Cadillac dealership — with 1930s hardwood floors, exposed brick, and original beams still fully intact. The 3,200-square-foot common area anchors the property with an ornate chandelier-lit bar inlaid with honeycomb onyx, built inside the original car elevator (cables and pulleys still in place). Voted USA Today's #1 Boutique Hotel in America in 2024, the GunRunner is deeply local: every suite tells the story of a Shoals-area musician, designer, architect, racehorse, or outlaw.
Where You'll Stay
10 room types available
Billy Reid Suite
Named for the critically acclaimed Florence-based fashion designer, this suite reflects the unpretentious elegance of the Billy Reid brand. The king bed was built by the designer himself. Features a steam shower (not just a standard walk-in), 18-foot private balcony overlooking historic downtown, Peacock Alley luxury bedding, bluetooth speaker, wet bar, refrigerator, and single-cup coffee maker.
KingDevil's Backbone Suite
Named for Civil War outlaw 'Mountain Tom' Clark, who confessed to 19 murders before being hanged. Local legend says he was buried beneath Tennessee Street to disprove his boast that 'nobody would ever run over Tom Clark.' Located on the first floor — the most accessible suite in the hotel. King bed with Peacock Alley bedding, accessible tile shower, refrigerator, and 55-inch TV. No balcony, no bluetooth speaker listed.
KingFrank Lloyd Wright Suite
Pays tribute to Wright's philosophy of 'organic architecture' — harmony between humanity and environment. Décor and furniture reflect his core design beliefs. King bed with Peacock Alley bedding, walk-in tiled shower, bluetooth speaker, wet bar, refrigerator, and single-cup coffee maker. No balcony. Alabama's only Frank Lloyd Wright home is just a few blocks away.
KingGlencoe Suite
Named after a legendary thoroughbred racehorse imported from England that led the stud book for eight years and whose bloodline dominated 20th-century racing worldwide. The suite has two queen beds with Peacock Alley bedding, a 7-foot private balcony, walk-in tiled shower, bluetooth speaker, wet bar, refrigerator, and single-cup coffee maker. A book about Glencoe is provided in the room. Sleeps up to four.
Two QueensLumber One Suite
Named for owner Billy Ray Casteel's wood packaging business, Lumber One. He built the hotel as a tribute to Shoals art, history, music, and fashion. Features exposed brick wall, king bed with Peacock Alley bedding, 7-foot private balcony, 55-inch TV, bluetooth speaker, wet bar, refrigerator, and single-cup coffee maker.
KingMuscle Shoals Sound Suite
The most immersive room in the hotel — a tribute to the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio where the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Paul Simon, and dozens more recorded hits. Swampette Judy Hood (wife of Swamper bassist David Hood) assisted with the room design. Gold records and authentic memorabilia line the walls. Sleeps up to four with a king bed plus fold-out sofa, and has both a clawfoot tub and a walk-in tiled shower. 18-foot private balcony over downtown.
KingSam Phillips Suite
A tribute to the father of rock and roll, born right here in Florence. Sam Phillips discovered Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Howlin' Wolf. His son and granddaughter gave direction on the design, so the spirit of Sam genuinely permeates the space. King bed, fold-out sofa, clawfoot tub, large walk-in tile shower, bluetooth speaker, wet bar, fridge, and single-cup coffee maker. Sleeps up to four.
KingSingle Lock Suite
Named for Single Lock Records, the Florence-based label co-founded by three-time Grammy winner John Paul White and Alabama Shakes keyboardist Ben Tanner. The suite showcases memorabilia and photographs from the label's diverse artist roster. King bed with Peacock Alley bedding, 18-foot private balcony over downtown, walk-in tiled shower, bluetooth speaker, wet bar, refrigerator, and single-cup coffee maker.
KingSmithsonia Suite
Named after a small historic Lauderdale County community originally called Cave Springs, later renamed for Columbus Smith, a landowner and merchant. A post office operated there from 1886 to 1927. King bed with Peacock Alley bedding, 7-foot private balcony, walk-in tiled shower, bluetooth speaker, wet bar, refrigerator, and single-cup coffee maker. A book about Smithsonia history is in the room.
KingThe Lion's Den Suite
A tribute to the University of North Alabama, the state's oldest four-year university (founded 1830), whose mascot is a lion. Two actual lions, Una and Leo, live on campus just a short walk away. The suite has two queen beds with Peacock Alley bedding, a Venetian plaster shower, 7-foot private balcony, bluetooth speaker, 55-inch TV, wet bar, refrigerator, and single-cup coffee maker. Sleeps up to four.
Two QueensThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Alabama's only Frank Lloyd Wright home is located just a few blocks from the hotel — a natural complement to the Frank Lloyd Wright Suite.
The hotel's suite designs double as a crash course in Shoals music history. FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio are both within easy driving distance. Sam Phillips' birthplace is a few blocks away.
All hotel guests have access to the rooftop terrace with views over historic downtown Florence. The Rooftop Bar operates up there Thursday through Saturday with extended late-night hours.
Book all 10 suites and the entire common area exclusively for private events — weddings, corporate retreats, milestone celebrations. The 3,200-square-foot common area with the ornate bar becomes entirely yours.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Guests receive a 4-digit PIN by email before arrival. No front desk, no waiting. Staff on-site 10am–9pm.
No elevator. Guests must carry luggage up a wide staircase to access suites and common area. Devil's Backbone is the only ground-floor suite.
Complimentary toiletries described by guests as organic with a subtle, pleasing fragrance.
Accessible to all guests for views over downtown Florence. Rooftop Bar operates here on select evenings.
Private parking for hotel guests, included with every stay — a genuine perk in downtown Florence.
Eclectic communal lounge with comfortable seating, ornate chandeliers, exposed brick, and the GunRunner Bar at its center — available to all hotel guests.
No swimming pool on property.
GunRunner gift cards available for purchase online.
BUILD YOUR GUNRUNNER PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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