Courtyard is close and nice. If you are getting up at the crack of dawn for tubes, you are not going to be roaming around after dark, so all areas mentioned are fine. What hospital? Children's downtown, children's south, st. vincent, etc. That may make a difference. I have spent the last 20 years roaming around Southside and UAB at all hours of the day and night. Just be aware. Be near other people, don't go down dark alleys, etc.

Work associate was walking Southside with his GF a few years ago and got held up at gunpoint by some crackhead wanting his wallet and phone; he through them on the ground and when the thief leaned over to pick them up he pulled his gun and shot him.
The dude had robbed 5 people that night; unfortunately he survived.

We've stayed at the fairfield inn at Fultondale exit. It's pretty nice. Lots of restaurants and shopping there. Grabow outdoors just over the hill. Maybe 10-15 minutes from downtown. Indoor pool. Nice place nice area. I'd stay there again in a minute.

Search Riverchase Galleria on internet google map. Any of those should be good. That area has fairly good patrols going on it seems late at night and days. Patrol office is down the road. Usually quiet at night.
Easy access to downtown in and out in case of wrecks.

Thanks for all the responses guys. Toothdoc it's the children's downtown or Benjamin Russell from what the wife told me.

The new Grand Bohemian is supposed to be legit, had some friends go up for a weekend a few weeks back.

Courtyard or Springhill suites. They are both a few blocks away and what I consider a safe area if you pay attention but that's anywhere.

Embassy suites. Just off red mountain expressway. Stayed their with my wife and kids for 10 days when we had water damage last fall. Almost hated to move out. I got used to the big breakfast and free beer

We stay there sometimes just for a night for the fun of it. Free happy hour and indoor pool is hard to beat.

Did dinner at the restaurant there a few weeks ago; very good.

I usually stay at SpringHill Suites. Good location, parking garage right beside it, no problems and close to the UAB hospital, Kirkland, other med facilities.

A Loft or Embassy Suites in Homewood would be your best bet.

Tripadvisor.com is your friend.