Just stayed. Had a renovated Club Premium Room (booked standard room - cheapest rate was over £200/night!) overall, I think they have done a great job. As ever, one of the lifts was out of action (not sure if they do this for housekeeping use as every stay there have been lift issues!) but no wait as 3 out of 4 were working, which is good for cp Brum.

As always the staff here really know what they are doing and the hotel works like a well oiled machine.Again, as always, they honour all Diamond benefits including upgrades. In many ways it reflects all I love about Birmingham - totally unpretentious, possibly selling itself short at times but also being comfortable in its own skin. It’s a huge hotel and the rooms are big, public areas generous, superb location close to everything and yet just off Broad Street (a bonus). It is close to New St station, walkable to everywhere - the Colmore Business District, Mailbox (Harvey Nichols / BBC / more bars / restaurants / The Cube, it’s a bit ‘TOWIE’ vibes but the 24th floor bar there in the Cube Hotel (formerly Hotel Indigo) a must if you’re new to Bham. Very close to Centenary and Victoria Squares (library / tram stop / Brindley Place - think lots of restaurants / bars / coffee and canal access), can walk or tram to Edgbaston Village (a nice upscale dining destination with lots of Georgian architecture, nice to stroll around, not far from the Botanical Gardens), Jewellery Quarter walkable (it’s down hill!) Feel free to PM me, Birmingham really has a lot to offer if you know where to look.

I appreciate the separate shower & bath. AC now seems efficient and quiet compared to the horrendous ‘box’. Rare hotel where windows open. Architecturally, it reminds me of the now long gone InterContinental Hamburg.

Room service was fast and had some good variety (posted below). In particular, attention to detail great - note, steak knife with a steak. I know it sounds simple but so many hotels will do things like serving soup without a spoon). Someone has put a lot of thought and effort into the in room dining here.

Note, too - desk with power outlets including different options, same next to bed. TV did not need an instruction manual. Water, biscuits and mint choc on hospitality tray in reasonably large wardrobe, separate luggage stand. Being picky - a Nespresso machine would be nice but they have spent the budget wisely in my view. IHG slim pickings in Birm since Indigo in Cube left portfolio (not the world’s best Indigo but it would’ve been great if The Grand could have been a Kimpton or if they could open an Indigo somewhere…)

Other criticism is soundproofing. Harder to fix I’d imagine. And it’s ‘corridor’ noise rather than ‘bedroom’ noise if you get me. 😎

Overall, highly recommend though.