Etap Birmingham Centre, Birmingham > Reviews > Etap Birmingham Centre, Birmingham

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money	Excellent
Quality of Rooms	Average
Standard of Service	Good
Quality of Facilities	Average

Advantages:	cheap, clean, friendly staff
Disadvantages:	quite a walk from town centre

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Etap Hotels are another budget hotel chain created by Accor, the creators of hotel giants Ibis. This 250 room complex is situtaed in the centre of Birmingham and all rooms cost £35, whether its a weekday or the weekend. But for this price, don't expect luxury acommodation, as luxury is probably the worst word to describe this hotel.

The rooms are clean and modern and sleep up to 3 people. In most cases, this is either a double or twin beds with a single bunk on top - not very glamourous but good for the money. You do get a television (complete with an array of English and European channels), but I can't guarantee that you'll get coffee and tea making facilities, as some rooms seem to be missing these. There is also no hairdryer or anything like that, but you can get one if pay a £10 deposit at reception - you will get this returned to you at the end of your saty (unless you break something!) There is a wash basin in all rooms, and a separate toilet, but the shower is actaully in the main bedroom (there isnt a bathroom). Yes, i know this is strange! All you have protecting your modesty from your room-mates is a perspex cubicle! So when you step out of the shower please remember that you're walking straight back into the room! Better yet, take a towel in the shower with you! Or if you're only staying for one night, have a wash instead!

There is free car parking at the rear of the hotel, but you'll have to make sure you arrive early or you may be forced to find a parking space out on the street. As well as this, there is no bar or catering facilities at this hotel, but this isn't too bad as you are only a short 15 walk from all of Birmingham's shops (know as the Bullring), and 25 minutes from Broad Street, which is Birmingham's clubbing quarter! For this reason alone, you must expect there to be a lot of noise - after all drunken clubbers need a place to stay don't they? As well as the shouting and screaming (which seems to come as standard with this hotel), you are on a busy main road. But if you close the double glazed window, you should not be able to hear the traffic, although in summer this could be a problem as even with the air conditioning going (which is noisy in itself!), it can get quite stuffy in the small rooms.

I would recommend this room for a short stay or stopover, and is perfect for those families looking to visit Birmingham for a low budget and without a car. This is because the hotel is located only a 10 minute walk from Birmingham New Street train station. Although its not a long walk to the city centre, there are buses and taxis available at a low rate. The reception staff will be more than happy to arange a taxi for you. Whilst we're on the subject of the staff, if you are due to check out at 12pm, be wary that the house keeping staff may come knocking at your door at 10 am - and may just enter your room as there are no "do not disturb" signs. But hey, i guess you could make your own!

All in all, this a perfect hotel if you jsut want somewhere to lay your head at night, but i definitely wouldn't recommend this for a romantic weekend!!!