Crowne Plaza, Birmingham, UK
What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Platinum (RA)
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, once again (maybe a year since last visit)
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked:- Base Room
Received:- Club Room
(on 11th top floor, 11th Lounge Floor, Club rooms are 10th-11th floors)
How are the rooms?
o Comfy King Bed with usual pillows, Small Chair+Footstool
o 40" tv with good UK channels including skysports1/2/3/4
o Found lighting dim, as now using those horrid curly bulbs not low voltage spots.
o Bathroom , Bath + Shower in bath. Decent bath towels (size/thickness)
o Minibars now empty (to many cheapskate guests replacing bottled beer with water apparently) 2x free waters so this you can use for own stuff now
o Rooms now on WiFi (used to be cable only before free wifi) has free low speed, but premium rate you pay for.
Lounge internet is via conference selection so premium speed. Very useful if ones room is near enough Lounge (on either floor 10/11) to connect to Lounges router
What was your welcome gift?
Points Voucher or Drink (as lounge access took voucher)
How is the exec. lounge?
o Large enough, two desktop computers and a printer
o Coffee machine takes those circular capsules
o 2hour drinks period each evening, several wines and beers
o Minimal Continental breakfast no hot food unless you count Toast + Coffee
Croisants, Bread, Ham, Salami, Cheese
(Restaurant breakfast is £15 or £12 if booked night before at reception, Club Access does not give you Restaurant b/f)
What was good and what was bad?
Good
+ Platinum Recognition, meaningful room upgrade and late checkout
+ Friendly helpful reception staff
+ short walk 200m to Broad Street with many food options, bars and clubs for nightlife
+ Good value breakfast in restaurant
+ Nice ground floor , rest area, bar and restaurant although ate out this visit
Neutral
-Location can mean too many hen/stag/party night guests stay here sometimes on weekends
- Fair walk to central city centre shopping area
- Hotel upgrade policy is only upgrade bookings 7am on morning of arrival. Platinums will always get club-room upgrade if available, but if not given club room, you won't get Lounge access. On my flex rate I like to know this the day before at least , as I have other options in Birminhgam.
Bad
- Nothing
Value for $? Would you return?
Yes. Booked 8weeks out on company flex so great early rate.
CP often be sold out on a Fri/Sat night which is why I book ahead, or if not full, can be double rate for booking close to arrival or even more if only club rooms left