Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre

After being told all the rooms were identical, I ended up in a room that hadn’t been refurbished. When switched off, its air conditioning unit did go quiet, but road noise took over: police sirens and cars and motorcycles being driven hard. The bed was rock hard. In the morning I found the bathroom fan didn’t work and the shower was stuck on hot, so I couldn’t take the cold shower that’s part of my pain management routine. The bedroom seemed clean, but there was dust on the bathroom floor and walls, and someone else’s hair around the bath. Reception staff weren’t very helpful or understanding. I won’t stay here again. I’d been warned by a work colleague that she had to ask to move rooms in the middle of the night the week before because of the awful air conditioning noise. I couldn’t change my booking. My health conditions can get worse without good sleep, which I’d noted on the booking, and I also called ahead and told the receptionist at check-in. The unit made a loud droning sound that changed pitch and volume. I could switch it off, but the room was hot, and every so often it started itself up again before going quiet. I asked to move and was told all the rooms were exactly the same. I was worried I wouldn’t sleep and that it would affect my health. I later moved to a third room, also facing the road. I thought the air conditioning was a bit quieter, though I couldn’t face moving again. A decibel app I downloaded measured an average of 55dB in the first room and 50db in this one. If you’re a light sleeper or sensitive to noise, sleeping or working with the air conditioning on may be difficult.

I’m an IHG platinum Elite member and have stayed in plenty of IHG hotels, but I can’t recommend this one because of the parking confusion and cost. I’d rather stay outside town with free parking. I paid for the car park on the way out, yet that wasn’t accepted because I’d parked in a "registered bay". How was I meant to know which bay that was? It didn’t have a name on it. Please don’t tell me there were signs in the lobby or elsewhere in the car park. People checking in for the first time aren’t going to know to look for them. I only used the underground car park because staff told me it would be safer for my new car, and I moved it there as they recommended. Fifteen days later, UKPC sent me a parking charge notice for £60.00. When I called the hotel, the receptionist said maybe it was because I’d parked in a numbered bay, as if I should have known that at midnight. No one told me where to park when they sent me downstairs. If it matters which part of a massive, nearly empty car park guests use, staff should explain that at check-in. Instead, the receptionist acted as though I should have known, or should just accept the charge, and then fobbed me off as if the car park had nothing to do with the hotel. I feel like this is a money-making scam.

Just a few hours after checking out, we decided to stay in Birmingham another day and booked an extra night in a King Standard Room. That says a lot about how much my wife and I enjoyed celebrating our wedding anniversary at Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre. The stay gave us a memory we’ll cherish, and we’re already looking forward to returning. Lynne in Reservations set the tone from the first email. She arranged a quiet room away from the lifts, a complimentary upgrade to a Superior Room, and drinks for our celebration. On arrival, reception greeted us warmly and wished us a happy anniversary. It felt sincere and personal, not just professional. Our room was immaculate, spacious and peaceful, with a comfortable bed that made it easy to relax together. Thanks to Lynne and the whole team for making the occasion so special.

The canapies had to be served in the bar while renovations were going on, since there was no executive lounge. A sign said Exec lounge members only beside the food, but the bar was congested with people attending the Environmental Health conference, which made it an unpleasant experience. Reception staff were polite, helpful and always smiling. The room was spotless and comfortable, and breakfast was delicious and very hot. Sharon, the breakfast lady in charge, was fabulous, with a good sense of humour and a profesdional attitude. Jess, the drinks waitress, was delightful and couldn’t do enough for us. We stay with the IHG group often and always have a fabulous stay. Thank you, I highly recommend this hotel.