Copthorne Hotel Birmingham, Birmingham

Nice, clean hotel rooms, if a little dated. Very central to the hub of what is going on and the bar was quite expensive, but not extortionate. Had to coax the bartender to keep the bar open after a load of us came in from a great gig at the Town Hall. Breakfast was £15.75. It looked and smelt quite insipid as I glanced at what the other diners were sampling. My wife and I decided to walk about 150 yards to Cafe Bebo and had an excellent breakfast for a fraction of the cost. I am very fussy about fat and gristle in my 'Full English' . I just like good, but simple well cooked food for breakfast and we were both very contented.

We booked into the Copthorne Hotel Birmingham because my husband was attending a conference whose organizers had reserved a block of rooms. We combined the conference with a chance to visit London with our children aged 2 & 8. I don't know what the **** rating is based on. Arrived during an apparently unusually warm spell to discover the hotel rooms are NOT AIR CONDITIONED! We were offered an electric fan, which squeaked horribly when oscillating. The "re-do" seems to have consisted of installing a modern looking glass skin over an old concrete structure which was like sleeping in an oven. Even on the cooler nights, the noise from the busy motorway 5 stories below kept us awake since the open window was the only ventilation. Our 8 y.o. was really disappointed there wasn't actually a pool. I had schlepped swim gear along on the trip only because the hotel description here listed a pool. There was mildew in the shower but we did have a legitimate showerhead. The room's furnishings were definitely on the tatty side. Maybe the upper floors haven't been 're-done' yet. We asked for a bucket of ice delivered to the room, there aren't any ice machines, and were told there would be a 3 pound charge! We were asked if we'd like newspaper in the morning, thinking it was complimentary and only learned at check out we'd been charged. The staff were very friendly and helpful in accommodating the children, especially given that the rest of the clientele seemed to be business travelers and there was a big cricket tournament in town. We should have switched hotels after the first night. The hotel is located centrally, right by the ICC, Art Museum, Town Hall, Symphony, etc. There are, however, newer, nicer looking hotels located along the picturesque canal area, just as close to these and other attractions (Sea Life Center, shopping & restaurants) in the same or lower price range.

Very accomodating FO staffs... We were looked after by everyone.. Great place to stay if your purpose is for business or night outs with your friends, had a great time and very affordable as well. It's a shame though that they don't have the pool anymore that would had been a extra bonus to my stay if it was there...but that didn't ruin my stay.. Great stuff guys,keep up the great work!