Mercure Birmingham North Barons Court Hotel

The receptionists were really nice when we arrived, but I wondered if that was so people wouldn’t complain about what they’d find. I booked for a few days and left after just one. The TV didn’t work, and the shower was hard to adjust, either too cold or too hot. The sheets looked clean, but I don’t think they were. My skin started itching the next morning, and I felt really sick the day after. My skin is sensitive in dirty places, so I thought maybe the sheets hadn’t been cleaned after the previous guests. I searched around the bed but didn’t see any bed bugs. Around 1 or 2 am, I heard a man and woman in the next room having a very loud argument, and I was scared. The walls are terrible, you can hear every little noise. For what I paid, I guess that’s what I should expect, but I honestly wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t want to get sick.

Breakfast was great, but everything else made for a frustrating, uncomfortable stay. The room stayed too hot even with the heater off, and there wasn’t a fan. I couldn’t get the shower temperature right, it was either boiling or freezing. There was no TV remote or proper work table, and maintenance overall was very poor. Worst hotel experience overall.

I left early in the morning because I couldn’t wait to get out of there. The hallways smelled of stale smoke, urine and weed, and the carpets were in bad shape. The pictures on booking.com must be old, because the place looks nothing like them now. From the front we thought it was shut down, but it’s just run down. There were cobwebs hanging from the lights, the mattress needs replacing and the rooms need updating. We couldn’t shower because hot water came from both the hot and cold taps. Thank goodness the bedding was clean. This was the worst hotel I’ve ever stayed in. It needs closing down.

Our van, motorbike and bike clothing were stolen from the car park on 4 October 2025. The hotel showed cameras, but they don’t have working CCTV. Since then, people sharing our theft on social media have told us the place is known in the trade. Take from that what you will. We weren’t refunded for the two nights we didn’t stay. Would you have stayed another night? The room was tired and not very clean, with a dirty window and frame, broken window handles, stained carpet, a damaged washbasin and no pillowcases for two pillows. They say three tea bags, three milk and three coffee are enough for two people. You can’t check in before 3 pm, and there’s nowhere to wait. They advertise a lift, but don’t believe it. The extensive bar? Forget it, my home bar is better stocked. My partner has stayed in some right dives, and even those looked appealing beside this place. Give it a wide berth. I only gave one star so I could post this warning.