Well, I am feeling alot better now. I have been to Tenerife with Shane and now need some inspiration...
Well, I am feeling alot better now. I have been to Tenerife with Shane and now need some inspiration to write again. Any suggestions?
Member since:11.07.2000
Reviews:372
Members who trust:372
I did try to book a room at the Britannia Hotel, Birmingham, a three star hotel, but try as I might no-one would answer the telephone so I ended up booking another ‘posh’ hotel according to some at the Ciao meet! I am glad I was not actually staying overnight, when I realised that there was no disabled facilities. And on the Saturday of the 'Meet' I needed to used my wheel chair as my back was hurting and walking distance for me is now very difficult.
**The Arrival**
On arriving the revolving doors had to be opened to allow me in and a ramp was put down, thus allowing me access to the reception area. I was squashed along with my husband whilst the ramp was taken out of the cupboard near to the doorway. It was not a pleasant experience (I can tell you!).
The hotel boasted two lifts, but alas only one was working on the day of the Ciao meet. This meant difficulties for the able bodied in the building, as the hotel had nine floors. All the conference facilities were on the second floor or above as the hotel is built over the surrounding shops.
**The Facilities**
The conference room, used for the meet was on the second floor. It was large and spacious and great for being in a wheel chair. The room however, was very hot due to lack of air conditioning and also no windows. I dread to think how the hotel would cope if all people allowable (up to 340 people) were to meet in these feature rooms.
Later in the evening matters improved immensely, several coach parties of older people (possibly SAGA tours) arrived and inundated the reception. Reception is not particularly spacious and when there were crowds of people checking in, with copious amounts of luggage, for an overnight stay, the space is greatly diminished. Following this all of them wished to make use of the lift (only one remember) as the rooms allocated were in the main up on the seventh and ninth floors! As a user of the premises I could not reach the lift due to all the bodies in the entrance hall.
According to the website for the Britannia hotel, there was a Restaurant & Bars. Well the bar that we were asked to use was on the Mezzanine (floor). Great, when the hotel was full and there was only one lift working! I was left high and dry (well sweaty!) on the second floor, reliant on others to get me drinks from the open bar on a lower floor. I was also unable to try the restaurant as the manager was not avalible till 7pm and no other member of staff ‘could not take a booking for a table reservation’. Pizza hut served my dinner (and at least another sixteen “Ciaoers”) that evening!
There were no public disabled toilets and I did ask staff if there were any disabled toilets. Help I almost wet myself once and Shane was also caught in the ladies toilets, wasn’t he Allie! (Well he was actually helping me and not being a peeping Tom).
The hotel was actually a beautiful Victorian edifice but undergoing refurbishment. The pictures in the building were absolutely stunning and the hotel’s structure inside was exquisite. The staff were friendly to me at reception, even helping to get items for the ‘children’s treasure hunt’, but this attitude was not reflected by the incompetent bar and restaurant staff.
**Costs**
Doubles from £50 Singles from £45
I did not get to go in any of the guest rooms but Shane, Allie and Karen assure me that they were not suitable for my needs.
I would like to go back in a year’s time when the refurbishment has been completed. My advice currently for anyone in a wheelchair, is that maybe this hotel is not for you.
**Address**
The Britannia Hotel, New Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B2 4RX
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**A Note for Ophelia**
Offy you did well to give us such a lovely day but the hotel let itself down. I believe that everyone who attended the ‘Meet’ had a great time. Thank you.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
The Britannia Birmingham is a first class hotel located 15 miles from Birmingham Airport ... more
and 30 miles from the East Midlands Airport. This hotel is a smart refurbished property in the heart of Birmingham surrounded by major stores, designer shops, jew...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
The Britannia Birmingham is a first class hotel located 15 miles from Birmingham Airport ... more
and 30 miles from the East Midlands Airport. This hotel is a smart refurbished property in the heart of Birmingham surrounded by major stores, designer shops, jew...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
This traditional hotel maintains most of its original architecture The hotel stands in a ... more
prime position within walking distance of all major stores and the Bullring shopping centre The 195 en suite bedrooms are refreshingly decorated and comfortable ...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Advantages: Convenient for shopping, relatively cheap...and Oh the breakfasts!! Disadvantages: The lack of air con, the decor, the lack of communication between staff.
kazziebears 20.08.2002 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Britannia Birmingham
Advantages: We had the Ciao meet there, some of us didn't pay much for the rooms. Disadvantages: The seagulls, the clock, the heat, the fire hazards, the crap service, oh just knock the place down and be done with it!
Cheekychicken 24.08.2002 (24.08.2002)
·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Britannia Birmingham
Advantages: We had the Ciao meet there, some of us didn't pay much for the rooms. Disadvantages: The seagulls, the clock, the heat, the fire hazards, the crap service, oh just knock the place down and be done with it!
Cheekychicken 24.08.2002 (24.08.2002)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Britannia Birmingham
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