Britannia Hotel Birmingham, Birmingham

New Street, Birmingham, B2 4RX
3 star

This hotel which has retained elements of its original architecture and the traditional style enjoys an excellent location in the heart of the city, close to Th...

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Rooms from £35 (≈ $69) per night
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6/10 Overall rating

Category Average Rating
6/10 Check-in process
6/10 Your room
6/10 Working order of facilities / equipment
6/10 Order and cleanliness of the hotel
5/10 Performance of staff
6/10 Overall experience
6/10 Overall value for money
  • 7/10 Anonymous (Group of work colleagues) 

    on  June 4, 2008

    "generally the hotel needs a revamp" (97729086)

    ideal position to all city center activities

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Harry (Mature couple) 

    from Blackburn , GB on  May 9, 2008

    "No problems good value and perfect position in the centre of Birmingham" (97001293)

    Excellent value for the money

    A little small

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 6/10 Michael bundgaard (Group of adult friends) 

    from Randers , DK on  April 24, 2008

    When we arrived there were no rooms booked for us so we had to wait about 30-40 minutes before the staff had found some empty rooms. We booked twin rooms but had to stay in single rooms and it was a problem for the couples sharing bagage.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 5/10 J a (Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Halstead , GB on  April 24, 2008

    "A welcoming smile at reception would have been nice. There was a good selection at breakfast. No shower gel or shampoo was provided. Otherwise the room was adequate for my needs." (97904487)

    Good central position, close to the station.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Joanne (Mature couple) 

    from Newcastle upon tyne , GB on  June 14, 2008

    restaurant facilities and food were excellent, room was poor in urgent need of updating the bathroom suite and decor, the bedroom furniture and decor were dated but the new carpet was nice!!!

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Group of adult friends) 

    on  April 2, 2008

    "The bath was grimey and some of the sheets were dirty. The inside of the kettle was nasty, and the bathroom door did not lock. It took a long time to reach the room, and was a bit confusing, but that was to be expected. However, if you looked beyond those things, it was a nice room, in central birmingham, just what we wanted." (97990147)

    It was a nice room, in central birmingham, just what we wanted.

    Bathroom door, kettle, sheets and bath.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 2/10 Catherine (Solo business traveller) 

    from Clitheroe , GB on  June 13, 2008

    "A thoroughly depressing experience! Not what one would expect from a city centre hotel." (99097904)

    I can't think of any!

    The hotel was tired and in dire need of modernising and refurbishment. The staff were not rude but needed some training in customer service and how to conduct themselves in a proper manner. The room was appaling! It was dark and dingy. The windows looked out on to an alley and another building but had no nets so I had to keep the curtains closed all the time. The bed was old, the pillows flat. The telephone didn't work so I had to use my mobile to call room sevice which when it came was inedible! The bathroom was old and in need of modernisation. The clean towel was on top of the rubber mat which goes in the bath! On the board in the lobby, the room rate was advertised at £160! I paid £85 which I feel was far too much for accommodation of this poor standard.

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  June 9, 2008

    "good" (97033593)

    I got what I payed for

    the curtains were falling down

  • 7/10 Dave (Solo business traveller) 

    from Newport , GB on  June 6, 2008

    "Reasonable hotel, clkose to stations and main attractions." (97916048)

    Polite and helpful staff

    The hotel looks a little tired and in need of a makeover. Quite dirty in places with a balcony full of cigarette butts

  • 7/10 Duncan (Mature couple) 

    from Nottingham , GB on  April 2, 2008

    "For the purpose of our visit the hotel was perfect. Apart from the rooms seeming a bit old and basic i have no complaints about our stay and would readily book again." (97891056)

    Location and helpfulness of staff

    Decour was a bit tired

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Patricia (Group of work colleagues) 

    from Swadlincote , GB on  May 29, 2008

    "It was adequate for what we needed but I think people should be told about the plug sockets." (97501536)

    The booking was easy and the staff were helpful.

    It was very noisy with alot of banging and slamming noiss all night. The plug siockets needed an adaptor which we were not aware of.

  • 6/10 Anonymous (Group of work colleagues) 

    on  May 24, 2008

    "Only when checking out was I informed by your staff, that my credit card details taken at time of booking were stored by the booking company (not your hotel)and that payment was not taken at this time. To my mind I either book a hotel or I don't. I was actually cross about this matter and this matter will effect how and where I book/stay in the future. Details were stored because your staff said when questioned, that if I had not arrived for my stay, payment would have been taken." (97233170)

    The booking process. See comments below and why I have now answered all the questions.

    As it appears I have to answer all questions before submitting I have given negative responses rather than no response.

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  May 22, 2008

    "see above" (97818051)

    easy to find, convenient city centre location. polite friendly helpful staff. comfortable bed. double rooms a decent size.

    hotel in the middle of a refurbishment, so rooms and corridors rather tacky. tv channel button dodgy.

  • 9/10 Tam (Mature couple) 

    from Stirling , GB on  May 14, 2008

    "I would be happy to recommend this hotel to others. Ideally situated, staff were very friendly and helpful. Rooms were clean and spacious. I would have no hesitation in staying at this hotel again. Overall value for money." (97235740)

    Rooms were spacious and clean. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Very good location and overall value for money.

    Cleaner knocked once on door and proceeded to walk in.

  • 4/10 Anonymous (Group of adult friends) 

    on  May 14, 2008

    "we booked 3 rooms on line but when we arrived they only had one down but they sorted it out and then gave us a free drink which was fine" (97545063)

    nice size room

    noise as was on main street

  • 4/10 Jane (Mature couple) 

    from Bristol , GB on  May 14, 2008

    "The access was not very good via car. Parking information would have been very helpfull before we got to Birmingham .The overall standard of the hotel was very tired. They did state that they were starting to refurbish. The real positive note was that there was lots of hot water." (97620339)

    The location was very central.

    The accommodation was dated, grubby and in poor working order. The room was small, the matress was old and very uncomfortable.

  • 6/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  April 22, 2008

    "I had read a number of terrible online reviews of the hotel prior to my stay and was not looking forwards to visiting. Thankfully the hotel was not as bad as I had feared. The general decoration of both corridors and room is shabby and outdated and the bed cover had a hole in it. However the room was clean and the bed sheets were nice and crisp. I was disappointed by the ancient TV and lack of Sky channels. The morning breakfast was OK, nothing special. If I'd paid full price for the stay then I'd have felt ripped off, but the online discounted price was fair enough." (97547122)

    Good central city location

    Poor standard of decoration, ancient TV without any Sky channels, terrible bed and pillows - both were rock hard. Very slow lifts.

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  April 22, 2008

    "Actually I passed the hotel without seeing it! I know this sounds a bit stupid,but the entrance was pictured on the internet and I could not see this entrance and somehow failed to see all the banners etc.! I would recommend your hotel, but I would warn about the lifts and the carpet. In fairness it is just that it was stained not that it was dirty." (97724007)

    The location was absolutely terrific; the staff were pleasant; the breakfast was good; the on-line booking process was simple and the price competitive.

    They could not find my booking on arrival; there was an atmosphere of considerable confusion at the check in desk; the lifts are not great; the bedroom carpet was stained.

  • 5/10 Maggie (Solo business traveller) 

    from Norwich , GB on  April 18, 2008

    "No food available on Sunday evening when I arrived, I was very hungry after a 6 hour train journey to get there. As I didn't know the area a pizza was bought in for me but that was all they could offer me. The next day the room service menu was unavailable due to one of the kitchens being closed and I was unable to have the salmon. I was told only a carvery was available, I went down to the restaurant expecting a slice of meat and veg only to be told that the carvery consisted of sweet and sour chicken with stir fried veg, beef casserole, lamb balti and veg lasagne to order, as I was extremely hungry I decided to have the stir fried veg with chicken, when this was served it was infact a chicken casserole which no more resembled stir fried veg or sweet and sour chicken. The cook advised me that although the beef and lamb was cooked it was very chewey as it needed as extra 15-30 minutes cooking to soften it up more, she told us this because she said if we were pre-warned then we couldn't complain afterwards! The food I ate filled a hole but that is all that could be said for it. I was not impressed." (97869579)

    It was adequate

    A stain on the bed cover even though it still had the cleaning ticket on, there was no 3 pin plug to put a hairdryer in, (I do not find the small hairdryers provided powerful enough)

  • 9/10 Anonymous (Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  April 16, 2008

    I liked the spacious room...Facities were very good and the room had a relaxed feel about it. the bed was comfortable and I enjoyed a good night's sleep.

  • 4/10 Janine (Group of adult friends) 

    from Akrotiri , GB on  April 10, 2008

    "very disappointing accomadation but helpful staff" (97922747)

    Breakfast

    The dangerous shower head that flew off and hot water flooded bathroom, the extrememly dirty heater vent and carpet, no telephone in room and the noisey people in the room next door at 3am in the morning

  • 9/10 Mary (Mature couple) 

    from Newbridge co.kildare , IE on  February 16, 2008

    "i enjoyed my stay rooms were cleaned daily with fresh sheetsand towels breakfast was great and plenty of it staff were very helpfull and as i stayed here before i knew what it was like i will stay again thank you" (97640214)

    i have to say i stayed in the hotel before about 3 years ago it has improved staff at desk one girl in question was very nice rooms were cleaned daily with clean towels and sheets on the bed one problem was only 1 lift was working but we were told there was improvements been made. food was excellent i would gladley reconmend this hotel to friends for a quit break id like to take this chance to thank the staff for their friendly manner and i will stay again

    just one lift working

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 5/10 Sarah (Other) 

    from Herne bay , GB on  April 9, 2008

    The location was excellent and convenient.The room was spacious.

    The window was in poor condition and wouldn't close, the wallpaper was peeling off, the radiator was cold despite the fact it was snowing. The bed was like a brick.

  • 3/10 Nicole (Family with older children) 

    from Brighton , GB on  April 2, 2008

    location

    Mirrors in restaurant were dirty. Wine tasted bad. broken light in restaurant. Sloppy service at dinner. Waiting staff were confused and dismissive of complaints. Dirty wall in bar area. Wires hanging out of the wall in bar area. Noisy game in bar area. No music in bar area. Poor layout in bar (not conducive to conversation or socializing). Generally unclean. Stains on carpet. No sky in room. no apple sauce at dinner. Poor quality food. Staff not looking proffessional. No games or anything to keep children amused and happy. Suggest kids corner or something. Our 9 yr old was bored silly!

  • 3/10 Martin (Young couple) 

    from Gloucester , GB on  April 2, 2008

    "I would not stay in this hotel again. The breakfast was also very poor. Bread toasted (only just) on one side and untoasted on the other. Yuk" (97830581)

    The receptionist was very helpful

    The food was awful, the room was tatty

  • 9/10 Anonymous (Other) 

    on  February 12, 2008

    The room was a good size with plenty of table space and access to the internet, which was needed

    I felt the room was a bit cold and the only lift working was very slow.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 5/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  March 30, 2008

    poor bedroom lighting, poor plumbing, old tv, breakfast was not up to the standard as it used to be, old drafty windows, lack of electrical sockets, rooms too small to be called a double room

  • 4/10 Anonymous (Group of work colleagues) 

    on  March 16, 2008

    "If you need an inexpensive hotel in the centre for only 1 or 2 nights then this would suite . Be warned the hotel does have a run down appearance and desperately needs a total makeover. The breakfast was excellent. Can't fully recommend until re furbishment carried out." (97707422)

    Excellent English breakfast

    Very run down appearance. needs to be completely refurbished-this is apparantly going to happen.

  • 5/10 George (Other) 

    from Liverpool , GB on  March 13, 2008

    "My credit card details again - as I've booked through Active Hotels before were NOT passed on to the hotel - as I asked. I was booking this for wot=rk colleagues so this was most inconvenient as although I thought I'd booked it end of story - the hotel didn't have the means to charge the guests on my account - what a mess!" (97973314)

    City center location

    Bit smelly and past its optimum date

  • 8/10 Grant (Young couple) 

    from Corby , GB on  March 12, 2008

    "other guests were a bit noisy but didnt bother us 2 much,lifts could b a bit slow,overall it was a good value 4 money stay in the heart of the shops." (97478149)

    clean,well placed 4 the carling acsdemy

    tv reception was terrible.

  • 4/10 John (Group of work colleagues) 

    from Glos , GB on  April 22, 2008

    "The Hotel is undergoing a refurb. It needs it" (97134518)

    nothing

    Miserable little room. Poor TV. Inedible breakfast

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Paul (Group of adult friends) 

    from Harlow , GB on  March 5, 2008

    "the hotel is clean tidy and right in the city center very close to lots of shops places to eat night life and st andrews football ground" (97209011)

    hassel free and in city center

    the decor

  • 3/10 George (Solo business traveller) 

    from Liverpool , GB on  March 2, 2008

    "Good location / old sad hotel I booke on behalf of other people supplyin g my credit card detauils to be used for payment. On arrival, guests were then asked for their card for payment. Most frustrating and inconvenient for business guests." (97978550)

    Location

    Smelly and passed sell by date

  • 5/10 Linda (Solo business traveller) 

    from Market rasen. lincs , GB on  March 1, 2008

    "i expected more from a three star hotel" (97483547)

    the staff were friendly and efficient

    room was cold and dirty, tv picture was poor, remote did not work, kettle was dodgy, no room service

  • 9/10 Hanan (Family with young children) 

    from Birmingham , GB on  February 29, 2008

    "my husband,my son and me all of us had enjoyed our stay in britannian hotel and we hope to repeat it." (97030098)

    it is a very beautful hotel as location

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Family with older children) 

    on  February 29, 2008

    Almost everything - there was no service from the staff, there was not floats for tills in the bar, the key regularly didn't work, there was only one lift working very slowly and the smell was terrible because of using it for the bins, and most of all the staff was not helpful or friendly.

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Other) 

    on  February 29, 2008

    "The fact that the hotel was undergoing renovation." (97648252)

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  February 25, 2008

    "The check-in was good. The other guests (next door)were idiots and no one from the hotel were even aware of their noise. In the morning the waitress claimed we were not down for breakfast. So, rather than making extensive enquiries we had to go back to our room for proof. My advice is to print out a copy of your online booking. Also, I got juice first (at breakfast)and when I was asked if I wanted coffee i said 'im ok just now thanks.' When I did want coffee after eating I had to ask for it. Why your not trusted to get your own coffee is beyond me! Then when I did ask the waitress said 'I did ask you if you wanted coffee' What the hell is this? You should drink coffee when I say drink coffee?? Rubbish, I'll drink coffee when I want to and if that puts you out then tuff luck what do you think you are being paid for? If you dont like your job then get the hell out of it. Or else learn some manners!" (97612340)

    It was modern

    The noise of other guests throught the small hours

  • 5/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  February 20, 2008

    "The hotel was undergoing refurbishment when we stayed and this was very evident with half decorated walls etc. Also the lift was out of order which was a bit of an inconvenience. I am sure that once these issues are resolved it would be a very nice hotel to stay in. The staff were friendly and down to earth which was good to see. The check in and out was quick and straight forward although I hadn't realised from booking online that I would have to pay when I arrived - I assumed the card number I gave online would have already been used for payment." (97391198)

    Very convenient location in the centre of Birmingham with ideal access to shops, restaurants, nightlife and New St station

    The only room available when we arrived was in the smoking area even though we had asked for non-smoking; one of the two lifts was out of order so there were long waits at times to use the other.

  • 7/10 Mark (Mature couple) 

    from Hove , GB on  February 20, 2008

    "Staff friendly and helpful, although under pressure due to staff shortages. Room 'spartan' with no 'personal' touches. Although there was a sign in the lobby saying that a major refurb was due to be carried out, not everyone is guaranteed to see this and so maybe a letter from the GM in the rooms informing guests of timescale, etc. would have been a more personal touch. One of the lifts being out of order was not very convenient on what seemed to be a particularly busy Saturday evening." (97443860)

    location

    tired - in need of modernisation

  • 7/10 Dawn (Young couple) 

    from Long eaton. nottingham , GB on  February 20, 2008

    GOOD LOCATION FOR ALL AREAS TO VISIT

    WOULD LIKE A MORE UP TO DATE DECOR

  • 5/10 Anonymous (Family with young children) 

    on  February 20, 2008

    "the curtian shower was dirty ,, the tolit in my daughters room was dirty ...there was stains on the carpet in my room , the only good thing was it was in the city center ,,and the breakfast wasnt to bad ..the staff were friendly,, the rooms are begging for a make over" (97940863)

    it was in the city center

    dirty rooms and very dated

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Group of adult friends) 

    on  February 13, 2008

    Location

  • 6/10 Robin (Mature couple) 

    from Worcester , GB on  February 12, 2008

    "Fair no frills accommodation. Notices saying hotel being re-furbished - obviously not our floor or reception" (97527639)

    Reasonable Price Very central

    Only one lift working and we were on the 4th Floor

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Same sex couple) 

    on  February 10, 2008

    "although the view from the room was very nice as i said, for the amount that i paid for the room i had expected a much higher standard. for example, i have recently stayed in the etap and ibis hotels and had a much more pleasent experience, they were modern and comfortable and a fraction of the cost." (97138494)

    the view from the room across the city was spectacular at night

    the room was very dated, from the plug sockets, tv and decor to the bathroom, lumpy bed and damaged furniture.

  • 2/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  February 8, 2008

    "location of hotel excellant.accommodation terrible.staff attitude terrible,no way helpful to guests,no bar service request for bar service had to be made at reception (3 people managing reception)wait 15-20mins for drinks.all guests complaning" (97497124)

    room was in need of decorating.draughty windows.uncomfortable bed.lifts only 1 in service,at least 20min wait for lift if lucky.hotel staff ill informed.

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Group of adult friends) 

    on  February 7, 2008

    "I have stayed before at this hotel so I knew where I was going. It is extremely accessible by rail from International airport and very close to one of the main shopping areas of Birmingham. Staff are very pleasant and helpful. Breakfast is very good. I would recomend this hotel and would stay here again myself." (97148717)

    Very central to the Bull Ring and Palisades shopping area of Birmingham and close to the New Street train station - very easily accessible. Staff very helpful and friendly

    Only one elevator servicing all floors so had a bit of a wait when travelling up and down to room.

  • 10/10 Chris (Young couple) 

    from Newton abbot , GB on  February 7, 2008

    "Excellent" (97966676)

    Cheap and clean and central

    Nothing

  • 5/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  February 6, 2008

    "Convenient hotel at a good price but felt very old and worn." (97736263)

    cheap and near the venue

    very dated and in desperate need of redecorating and updating. First room we were allocated was dirty and smoky.

  • 4/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  February 13, 2008

    "parking facility too far away" (97113453)

    we were offered a free bottle of wine but did not receive it

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

The views expressed on this page are the personal opinions of guests and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Active Hotels, Active Reservations or our distribution partners (About our hotel reviews).

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