Macdonald Burlington Hotel, Birmingham

Advantages: It's spectacular and surprisingly quiet and the best location in the city
Disadvantages: Parking, high prices.

...As a student at Oxford University in the late 1980s, the Randolph seemed like the physical embodiment of the class divide that afflicted poor kids like me who came from state schools from the much wealthier students who took the affluence and grandeur of the city's finest hotel entirely in their stride. I'd never been in such a grand hotel and the closest thing to a grand building in my home city was the local branch of Lloyds Bank. My flat mates' parents would arrive each term and take us out to the Randolph for rather staid Sunday lunches in the spectacular high ceilinged dining room where we'd sit and watch the world cycle by through the tall windows. By contrast my parents would visit bringing a bag full of fish and chips or a Chinese take-away. I can't really say that we enjoyed the Randolph that much more than a take... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: central location, reasonable room size
Disadvantages: dated furniture, noisy generator, rubbish towels

...I stayed at this hotel for work purposes on Monday 3rd March in a single room on the sixth floor. We paid £70 B&B. My initial reaction was to be extremely negative about this hotel, however, on reflection i think it is important to point out some of its good points. I would not say it was an enjoyable experience, however, it was adequate and i've had worse! On the plus side - This is a proper city centre hotel - right in the centre of town, close to shops. If you are visiting Birmingham to shop, this is perfect. The kettle and toilet were clean, which is always a good start! The member of staff who booked me in was pleasant and helpful. There was an error with our booking, we had 4 rooms booked, but only two of us were on the list. She gave me the list to check through - which had other guest's names and personal details... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Cheap and cheerful, clean and tidy
Disadvantages: very basic, no frills, but at that price who wants them?

...We live in Devon and had tickets for a Runrig concert in Birmingham Symphony Hall. We live out in the country so going out into the big wide world can be quite scary you know what with all the guncrime and murder in the big cities!!! We were a bit wary of staying in the centre of Birmingham mainly due to cost, so we looked for somewhere on the edge and found Days Inn in West Bromwich, Birmingham. It is just off junction 1 of the M5 which was great and easy to find. We then took a taxi into Birmingham later on. This cost £12 each way, but thats another story! The hotel had underground parking which made us feel that the car was secure (no need to take the wheels in with us)!. The hotel is based on several floors of a large 10 storey building, with reception on the ground floor. Our swipe card would not open the room door... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful