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The setting
This hotel is a few minutes' walk from central Birmingham, next to the O2 Academy and just a few minutes' walk from the Birmingham Back to Backs. With music venues, casinos, and cafes nearby, the atmosphere here is lively at night rather than quiet. Since New Street and Grand Central train stations are also within easy walking distance, it’s convenient to get to any part of the city from here.
What to expect
Enjoy a stay that’s more practical than a resort holiday. Rooms are equipped with a TV, a desk, a wardrobe, and tea- and coffee-making facilities; the bathroom, which features a shower, comes with toiletries and towels. The hotel features a pool and a fitness centre, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Parking spaces are available for guests arriving by car—a service that’s quite unusual for a hotel located so close to the city centre.
Things to do nearby
Since the O2 Academy is right nearby, it’s easy to plan a trip to a concert. The Birmingham Back to Backs complex of houses with courtyards, restored by the National Trust, is just a short walk away and is worth spending about an hour exploring. If you’d like to have a cocktail late at night or try your hand at some gambling, the Genting Casino and the Rhinestone Rhino bar, both located nearby, are ideal choices. Also, if you’re looking for something different, the hotel recommends visiting The Leisure Box, which is a little further away.
Best for
It’s perfect for couples and groups of friends who go to concerts, go shopping on the weekends, or attend sporting events. With a pool, gym, and game room, it’s also great for families, and thanks to its central location, you’ll save on taxi fares. Even solo travellers will find plenty of entertainment within walking distance in the evenings.
How to get to the hotel
From Birmingham Airport, a direct train departing from Birmingham International Station will take you to New Street Station in about 15 minutes; From there, you can quickly reach the hotel either on foot in a few minutes or by taxi. If you’re arriving by car, please exit the M6 or M42 highway and use the parking lots at the airport. Intercity buses stop at Digbeth, which is also within walking distance.
Choose your room
âś“ Your selectionDouble room
Room with blackout blinds, a work desk, a TV, and tea and coffee making facilities.
View room →- Free Internet
- 24-hour reception
- Parking
- Swimming pool
- Gym
Property, in pictures
Latest reviews
Ideal
Went to see Miss Saigon. Room was spacious, very clean. Perhaps a weird thing was the fact that we had an interconnected room with strangers. Would revisit. Central… Read full review on ZenHotels →
Great Location Neat and Clean
Came to watch the football, Great location, neat clean and tidy. Helpful staff members Nice breakfast with good hot and continental options.
Amazing stay
Really great stay. Hotel looks like it’s brand new. I love the water station with all the fruit. Check in was quick and thorough with friendly staff. I was in room 419… Read full review on ZenHotels →
Your 3 days, loosely planned
Suggestions, not orders. Tour ideas to mix and match for your trip.
Check in and a gig night
Drop off your luggage, take a stroll around the neighbourhood with a cup of coffee in hand, and take in the sights. Since the O2 Academy is just a few minutes’ walk away, you’ll definitely want to buy your tickets in advance—no matter who’s performing this Friday. After an early dinner at one of the restaurants on Bristol Street, head to the concert venue. To wrap up the day, have a nightcap at the Rhinestone Rhino bar or try your luck at the nearby Genting Casino.
Back to Backs and city wandering
Before setting out, it’s a good idea to go for a swim or work out at the fitness centre to warm up. Sign up for a tour of the “Birmingham Back to Backs” — a restored 19th-century townhouse with a garden that opens right onto the street — and then stroll to Gay Village before heading to the Bullring shopping centre for lunch and some shopping. Spend the afternoon at the Library of Birmingham or along the canal at Brindleyplace, pause for a cocktail on a canalside terrace, then head to Chinatown for dinner.
Slow morning and one last stroll
If you have time, consider stopping by the “Back to Backs” shop to pick up some souvenirs, or playing a couple more rounds at “The Leisure Box” before you leave. Grab a takeout lunch at one of the cafes near New Street, pick up your car from the parking lot, or head to the train station with your suitcase—and return home well-fed and well-rested.
Where you'll be
Birmingham, UK
FAQ
Is Birmingham worth visiting as a tourist?
Yes. Birmingham has plenty of places to enjoy a varied weekend, including lively clubs with live music, bars along the canal, the Bullring shopping centre, and museums such as the Back-to-Back and the Birmingham Library. The city’s culinary scene is also a major draw: options range from restaurants serving Baltic cuisine in the south of the city to Michelin-starred restaurants in the city centre. Since the city is compact, it’s ideal for exploring on foot.
Where should you avoid in Birmingham at night?
The city centre around New Street, Brindleyplace, and Gay Village is lively and, for the most part, safe even late at night. However, it’s important to exercise extra caution in areas with little foot traffic—such as the side streets of Digbeth after stores close—as well as in some of the underpasses along the ring road. If you stick to well-lit main streets and take a licensed taxi, you’ll be able to walk back to your hotel safely.
How many days are enough for Birmingham?
If you book a two-night stay here, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the main attractions at a leisurely pace. In the evening, you can enjoy a concert or show, and the next day, visit the houses built “back-to-back,” and the Bullring the, as well as take time to stroll along the canals and have a curry in the Balti Triangle area. If you’d also like to take day trips to Cadbury World, the Jewellery Quarter, or Stratford-upon-Avon, the hotel recommends adding a third night’s stay.
Why do tourists go to Birmingham?
Music, sports, shopping, and gastronomy—these are the city’s four main attractions. The O2 Academy and major arenas host touring events, fans gather at Villa Park and Edgbaston, and the Bullring is one of the largest shopping centres in the UK. Add to that a network of canals, a lively bar district, and convenient rail connections to all parts of the country—all of which make the city an ideal destination for a short getaway.
Which city is better to visit, London or Birmingham?
Both cities have their own unique charm. London, of course, boasts a multitude of famous landmarks, museums, and West End theatres, but the cost of living there is high, and travelling by Underground takes a lot of time. Birmingham, on the other hand, is an affordable city that’s easy to explore on foot; it has a welcoming atmosphere that quickly makes you feel at home, as well as a rich selection of music venues and restaurants. If you’re visiting the UK for the first time, London is the way to go; if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a relaxing weekend, the hotel recommends Birmingham.
