Holiday Inn Express Birmingham Castle Bromwich

This was a last-minute booking after I unexpectedly needed to spend the week there a couple of years ago. As I’m disabled, I needed an adapted room, which the staff kept immaculate. They also showed my carers straight to my room so they could help me. Everyone looked after me perfectly, and nothing seemed too much trouble. I’d recommend staying here.

The cooked buffet breakfast was included, and the room had a large TV. I slept really well, even with it around 20 degrees outside, thanks to the air conditioning and super soft pillows and sheets. The staff were friendly, and this felt a step up from the Travelodge I usually use. I’d have preferred the option of a bath instead of having to shower, as seems to be happening in lots of budget hotels. The toilet made a horrible noise when flushed, and the shower head leaked from the hose. I reported both issues to reception, and they gratefully received the information. From other reviews, it sounds like some rooms don’t have air conditioning. I may have been lucky to get a room in the new part.

The two ladies on night service, D & D, gave us the best customer service we’ve experienced in a long time, across hotels in Britain and Europe. During our two-night stay they made us feel very welcome, and both went the extra mile. The rooms were comfortable and clean, and breakfast was included in the room rate. Good value for money.

The staff were brilliant, polite and really helpful, which is a big reason for my rating. Breakfast had plenty of choice and was pretty nice, and there was lots of secure parking round the side. Our room was a good size, with one double and one single bed. The bathroom was very clean overall, and the soap dispensers and hairdryer were handy. There were a few issues in the room. Small fibres were on everything, possibly from a cloth or the bedding. A musty smell seemed to come from the carpet, maybe under the bed. I mentioned it, but I’m not sure anything was done to deodorise it. It seemed a little better on the second night, though maybe I’d just got used to it. The shower mat was mouldy, perhaps because it gets rolled up instead of hung to dry. The remote had tape on the back because the batteries weren’t staying in, but staff quickly brought us a replacement. There was dried tea spillage under the cup doily, and huge spiders and webs on both sides of the window. I couldn’t open it and had to kick a spider out, since it wasn’t contributing to the room fee, lol. Some improvements are needed, but I’d stay again if I needed to.