We had the occasion to spend a couple of nights in Birmingham recently. As Gold Passport members, our natural choice was the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the centre of Birmingham. Billed as the premier hotel venue in Britain’s second city, this is now the only remaining representative of the upscale American chain in the UK – the Carlton Tower and the Lowndes Hotels in London having been sold about three years ago.

The hotel has quite extensive conference facilities and function rooms (in progress while we were there were meetings hosted by MacDonalds and by an Orthopaedic and Orthodontic Society). I have attended one conference and business dinner at this hotel in the past. There is a business centre and internet room. Also available (although we did not explore them) were “Club Active” (a gymnasium, fitness centre and swimming pool), sauna and steam room and beauty salon.

We were expected when we arrived and our internet reservation had been confirmed. Our choice of room was acknowledged and we were given a credit card style door key.

OUR ROOM

The room was modest in size by usual Hyatt standards and was equipped with a king sized bed, seating area with desk and easy chair, television (with the usual multi-lingual channel options) and mini-bar. There was a large double wardrobe with a home safe and a good supply of coat hangers. Apart from this there was surprisingly very little drawer space. Also provided was a hair dryer and a coffee maker.

There was a standard en suite bathroom and toilet which had a large bath with hair washing shower above. It included a large illuminated shaving mirror. There was also an extension speaker from the television which we were unable to switch off. It was well stocked with shampoo, soap, shower gel, shower caps and sewing kit. As this was a Regency Club room we were supplied with towelling dressing gowns and slippers.

Breakfast (served from 7am to 10am) consisted of the expected cereal, citrus fruit, sliced meat and cheese, yoghurt, bread and pastries. Canapés were served in the early evening with a choice of complementary drinks. In between tea and coffee was available. The service was barely used, during our stay there were never more than two other people in the Club. The staff were courteous but in comparison with other Regency Clubs lacked sparkle and attentiveness.

Judith and I did treat ourselves to one evening meal at the Court Café. The tables (seating four in the main) are arranged on a slightly raised area reached up a flight of four steps from the atrium. There was no need for a booking and dress code was informal. For the first part of our meal at least we were serenaded by a young lady playing a selection at a piano.

We turned our attention to Aston’s Bar on our first evening there when we returned from the concert at the NEC Arena. Although it was after 11pm, the bar was still busy and all the easy chairs were taken. We perched on stools at the counter. At that time they were serving “residents only” on a room tariff.

There is certainly a lot to see and do immediately around the hotel. Just across Broad Street is the Symphony Hall (home of the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) to which it communicates by bridge from the sixth floor of the hotel. In the same block is the Repertory Theatre, The Birmingham International Conference Centre, the National Sea Life Centre and a number of galleries. Weaving through these buildings is the Birmingham Canal system including one of the docking areas for canal and narrow boats – Gas Street Basin. There is a very pleasant canal walk that passes along the toe path. The area is rich in coffee shops, bistros and ethnic restaurants.

TRAVEL

The hotel is also within easy reach of Birmingham International Airport (either by train to New Street) or by taxi. The hotel operates valet parking. There is a bus stop for local services into the City and out to the suburbs outside on Broad Street.

I have become a dedicated Hyatt user for over seven years – staying at various of their hotels in Florida, New York and Europe. I have come to know and anticipate a level of comfort and service which is uniform across the chain. I have specifically chosen Regency Club facilities whenever this is offered and have continued to amass loyalty points. I am at the “Platinum Level” on the Gold Passport Scheme.

On the face of it, the Hyatt Regency in Birmingham starts with an advantage over most hotels. It is perfectly sited as first class accommodation in the City. It has the functionality needed for a modern multi-purpose business, conference and discerning personal guest. It has the Hyatt name and heritage.

There were a number of minor irritations about our stay – none of them particularly consequential in themselves, but irritant nevertheless. Our room key failed to open the Regency Club Lounge, despite specific mention made on registration. We had to go back to reception to have it changed. We ordered a side salad with our main course in the Court Café, which failed to materialise. Needless to say we pointed this out prior to accepting our bill. Our final invoice was incorrectly made up and our initial prepayment had not been credited. Again it took time and effort to correct this.