Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre, an IHG Hotel — Hotel in Birmingham

One night in the Crown Plaza in central Birmingham, let’s start by describing the journey into Birmingham on a business day. Guys it’s a nightmare if you drive, take the train it’s easier. The best way to get into the hotel is by parking in the associated car park you can walk straight up to the main door and direct to reception.

I arrived around 5:30 and checked in, I was checked in by “che” a very pleasant and helpful member of staff, who made the process streamlined and quick in fact both members of staff were helpful and polite. The reception area is large and open and modern. If you park in the associated car park then you can pay for that on checkout, overnight parking and a day cost me £21.00.

My colleague and I had dinner on arrival as it was quite late and we did not fancy walking around town to find food. The restaurant is clean and well decorated and well maintained and managed by the food and beverages manager who I found out started there on a zero hour contract and has now been there for over twelve years, that is a really nice story, I found that out during a polite conversation, all of the staff were polite and professional and made us feel welcome.

They checked that everything was ok without being annoying. The food was not cheap but there again why should it be? After all we were in a top end hotel so £17:00 for a chicken breast with fries and salad was top end but understandable. We were served by several members of staff and one of them was Ayo who did a great job. The food was well cooked and tasty no complaints. This hotel is geared towards conferencing and meetings which was the reason for my visit.

The rooms were spacious and clean and well equipped with an iron and ironing board, a kettle, tea and coffee and biscuits and bottles of water.

The bed was huge and very comfortable, the only thing I didn’t like was the view out of the very small window, my room overlooked offices and living space. The room was great for work prior to my meeting. The bathroom was really well equipped with shampoo, body cream and shower gel And a dressing gown but no slippers that I could see.

The meeting room was spacious and well insulated, so was not interrupted by noise from other meetings. All in all the experience was positive and I would recommend this hotel for a very professional and classy experience. I judge everywhere by the quality of staff and this place has an abundance of really good happy looking members of staff who made the...

Horrible experience at this hotel and will never go there again. We called the hotel a week in advance requesting to be placed on their lowest floor due to my leg injury. The staff said we would be given a room on the ground floor on the condition of becoming a member. We also asked for his name. They took details and didn't send a confirmation of becoming a member. We called again a few days later for an update and another staff member said there's no guarantee that we'd receive a room on the ground floor. When we arrived at the hotel, we told the staff member about our reservation and gave the individual's name who had booked us in. The reception staff said there's no rooms on the ground floor for guests and he doesn't recognise the name we gave. I explained my frustrations and said this was unprofessional. The staff member then brought out the list of people on duty and said "I'm not lying, this person isn't my colleague". He seemed more interested in defending himself and the hotel, instead of trying to help us and didn't bother to apologise.

On the hotels room service leaflet, it said they provide first aid assistance. I had requested for an ice pack by calling reception. The manager said they don't have this but offered to give an ice bucket and table cloth. She also put a note on the system so this would be given to me when needed. On one of the mornings during our stay, I had requested for an ice bucket and table cloth. The reception staff insisted she doesn't know what a table cloth is and then agreed to send both items in 15mins. 30mins went by and didn't receive the requested items. Then I called again, after 10mins a women arrives with an ice bucket and tissue. She started complaining about how busy the breakfast bar is and she's the only person working. I explained I needed a cloth not tissues.Then she said she will bring up a cloth when she can. She didn't apologise. Another 25mins went by and still nobody came to drop off a cloth. I called the reception asking to speak to the manager (who answered) and explained how unprofessional this was and there was no apology. The same lady then arrived and apologised but again complained about her working circumstances.

Also, had their breakfast. It's not nice as they serve tinned fruit and bakery options that taste like it's from Tesco's.

I would say it's best to save your money and go...

Stayed here with a my extended family booking 4 family rooms with breakfast. We were 8 adults and 6 children.

Right from the get go, we were amazed at the service received. Phoned the hotel prior to travelling and Maria from reception gave me all the answers I needed.

When we arrived, we were greeted by Maria and she checked us in with ease and gave us all the information needed for our stay. She welcomed us all and the kids were soo excited to be there with her friendly manner.

Rooms were of a great size, we booked the family rooms and as we had children with us Maria booked us in on floor 5, family floor. Great rooms with clean linen and towels. Bath was abit small and the carpets may need changing soon as you can tell they're abit dated. But overall satisfied with rooms.

Next day we met Keisha from room services, she was such a pleasant, friendly and bubbly character. The family and kids in particular loved chatting with her. She made our stay soo pleasant.

Breakfast was great also, full English with plenty of vege options if needed. Only downside was waiting around for eggs as hotel was busy and chef had one stove to cater for all the guests, he was really great though even with the pressure. All the staff at the restaurant were great, very welcoming in particular Sonia (I believe her name was, apologies if I got it wrong, referring to the friendly Irish lady), she was a pleasure to talk to and made us feel welcome each day we visited. Surprised to know she has been working there for 32 years, wow, she is a valuable asset for the firm. My whole family loved her including the kids.

In terms of the hotel, centrally located with a great price, excellent hospitality and lovely staff, what's not to like. Only downside is no free parking for guests but I guess that's nearly all centrally located hotels. Will defo be returning !

A huge thanks to all the staff for making it such...