Instead of staying at the Britannia Hotel, Shane and I decided to book a room over the Internet at the three-star West Bromwich Moat House Hotel, Birmingham. (Okay I was sick of no one answering the phone when I tried to book a room at the Britannia Hotel, so I went to a hotel that I had used in Birmingham before and found to be of a high standard in the past, West Bromwich Moat House Hotel). This hotel has one hundred and sixty eight bedrooms along with a large conference meeting centre facilities accommodating up to one hundred and eighty delegates.

Reception is friendly and helpful. They efficiently book you in and take on board any request you may make for your stay, early morning calls, newspapers and the like. They will also arrange fans for the room and sort out room service requests. The hotel (at reception) can also offer pre-booking and reduce entrance rates to local attractions such as Cadbury World, Warwick Castle, West Midlands Safari Park, and Alton Towers. You will find information about these and other local attractions in you room.

There is a modern leisure complex, including swimming pool and gym called Club Motivation, there is also a separate fittest studio for aerobics and similar functions. In additional it also features a Sauna, Steam room, Solarium, Jacuzzi spa, Gymnasium, and Beauty Saloon. The prices here are very reasonable and I love to have some of the available treatments. I particularly enjoyed my Indian Head massage, bliss!

I really enjoyed my swim, as the water is heated to a pleasant temperature, which meant that my muscles did not cramp, or spasm. It was wonderful to be able to float and move without crutches or other artificial aids. There is plenty of shampoo, shower gel, body lotions, deodorants and cotton wool in the ladies changing rooms. (Not sure what is actually in the men’s as I have not been in there, although I am reliably informed by Shane that this is also the case in the ‘gent’s’). On duty is a personal trainer in the leisure centre when it is open and there is also television surveillance. Children are allowed in the pool but they are not allowed to use the spa therapies. You will need £1.00 for the lockers (returnable after use) but towels are free if you are a hotel resident.

The costs are per room per night and these rates are inclusive of a buffet Continental Breakfast (with cooked food too) at the Rafferty's Restaurant, taxes and service charge. The hotel also has its own restaurant, Rafferty's, for the residence enjoyment offers a carvery menu along with an a la carte one too in the evenings along with its large lounge and bar for relaxing in. If you do not want to leave your room them you can use the twenty-four hour room service. The sandwiches are huge and the garlic bread is very tasty. The food usually arrives within the time scale mentioned on ordering. My mouth is now watering at the thought of it.

There are corporate rates and global rates. Please contact the hotel is you wish to know more but I have only ever stayed using the leisure (above) rate. Each room has an En-suite bathroom and there are rooms for non-smokers. Each room has a direct-dial from bedroom along with sky television (limited channels) and Tea/Coffee making facilities too. If you upgrade to a Crown Package then you get the use of towelling gowns, filter coffee, fruit juice and spring water plus extra toiletries.