Staybridge Suites Birmingham by IHG

Breakfast was a real bright spot, with plenty of fresh, tasty choices and kitchen staff who kept everything moving. The lobby was clean and welcoming too, and we found the staff patient, friendly, and helpful with questions about the facilities. We were in Birmingham for a family wedding, and the luggage situation made arrival difficult. We hadn’t understood from the website or reviews that there was effectively nowhere near the entrance to load or unload. That was a problem with several suitcases and formal clothes, and it would make me hesitate to recommend the hotel to people travelling the same way. Parking validation was easy once someone explained it, but allow about £15 a night for parking. We also expected two bathrooms when we booked the “2 King Beds 2 Bedroom Suite,” especially since it cost about the same as two separate one-bedroom suites. It had just one. With a clearer room description, we’d have booked two suites instead. The suite had plenty of space, though the air conditioning seemed to reach only the living area, leaving the bedrooms warm overnight. The staff and breakfast were strong points, but clearer information about parking and room layouts would have helped us know what to expect.

We picked a high floor after being offered a choice of room location, and it was lovely and quiet. The room was large, had everything we needed, and the bed was very comfortable. The hotel looked smart and clean, and the staff were incredibly hospitable. Breakfast was the letdown for the price. I’d hoped for more hot options: there were no mushrooms, black pudding, or tomatoes, and fried egg was the only egg choice. The breakfast staff were working hard to clear tables and answer questions.

The team were professional, kind, and wonderful throughout both of my stays. I came for two separate 15-day visits this year, and the setup made longer trips much easier. There’s a gym and free laundry, plus tea, coffee, and milk available around the clock in the dining area. Monday to Wednesday evenings also bring a free happy hour gathering with drinks and a few snacks. The room works like a self-contained apartment. It had a kitchen with a dishwasher, microwave, fridge, kettle, induction hob, and utensils, along with an iron and board and a proper desk and chair. Having a full kitchen in the room and washers and dryers in the common area was especially useful. Breakfast has lots for non-vegetarians, while the vegetarian selection is more limited. Still, vegetarians can make a meal from bread, beans, vegetables, milk with flakes, and assorted seeds. The location is a 5/5 for me: Bullring mall is about three minutes away, and Birmingham New Street Station is around five minutes away for trains across the UK. There’s also plenty of dining and shopping nearby. I’d recommend it for a long stay.

It was easy to find, about a seven-minute walk from Birmingham New Street station. The room was spacious, clean, and well equipped, even with a dishwasher, microwave, electric stove, and pots for cooking. Handy if you want to save money on meals out. Breakfast had lots of choice and tasted good. The staff were friendly, check-in and check-out were seamless, and they gave us helpful ideas for things to do in the city. We even stayed to chat for a while. I’d happily come back.