HOTEL REVIEW – Hotel du Vin, Birmingham

The local people of Birmingham have a saying about the city “it’ll be good when it’s finished” in respect of the ever changing building work that is forever going on in the city. If the local economy was to be judged on the number of cranes dotted across the Birmingham skyline the result would be that business here was in fine health.

 

 

Despite all the building work taking place the Hotel du Vin situated in the heart of the Birmingham is as dependable as ever if quality, comfort and excellent service are at the top of your agenda.

 

 

The building at one time was a former eye hospital built in the Victorian era, thankfully when renovating the hotel the planners have kept some of the original features intact; the grandiose wrought iron staircase and the frescos paintings on the entrance ceiling give the impression that you have stepped back in time to a more refined age though make no mistake, the service and amenities at this atmospheric hotel are firmly placed in the 21st century.

 

 

Transport links are excellent; Snow Hill train station is a few metres from the hotel, Birmingham Grand Central is less than 10 minutes walk away and for car drivers the hotel offers discounted parking at the B4 car park currently being charged at £12.60 per 24 hours using a discount code available from the reception.

 

 

A short flight of steps outside the hotel guides you to reception, confusingly the doors open outwardly instead of in towards the hotel as is often the case. The entrance hall sets an unprecedented scene: marble columns abound taking your eyes off the painting on the ceiling above your head, looking like it had been inspired by Rome’s Sistine Chapel there surely cannot be a more finer arrival in Birmingham.

 

 

Check in was quick and most of all welcoming. The obligatory question of “what brings you to Birmingham?” might have seemed too uniform for many, however, my response seemed not to have fallen on deaf ears.

 

Check-in starts from 3 pm, and check-out by 11 am.

 

 

Rooms are all given individual names in keeping with the French theme of the hotel, 

 

The rooms range from Classic to a Signature Suite. My room, titled Harvey’s, was a classic room that came complete with a huge wardrobe with plenty of hanging space, tea and coffee making facilities, an iron and ironing board and a Super King bed with delicate linens. The quality of sleep experienced provided a solid eight hours deep sleep.

 

 

 

The desk and chair were ergonomically placed so that, as sometimes is the case, you have to put a cushion under the chair so that you are at the right height to work on your tablet or laptop. The two USB ports were fine though I would have preferred one over the writing desk as opposed to being by the side of the bed.

 

 

The flat screen television came with all the usual channels, the Wi Fi speed was at the top end of the spectrum with the variable central heating warming up the room nicely.

 

The room didn’t have a fridge which I missed as well as not having a safe either.

 

Some might call this unusual, but I prefer to call it quirky: access to the bathroom was via a short flight of steps with a bannister at either side.  The rain shower situated over the bath was powerful and very responsive.

 

 

L’Occitane en Provence shower gel and shampoo were again a nod to the French influence throughout the hotel.

 

 

Good to find shaving points for electronic shavers, some hotels think that most men prefer a wet shave these days. The vanity mirror was appropriately placed whilst the box of tissues never seemed to run out, unlike some establishments that seem to think that the box is there only for decorative purposes with the supply being exhausted over two or three helpings.

 

 

All meals are served in the Bistro du Vin, serving classical French dishes with a modern British twist. Each day brings a “Special du Jour” selection including a drink for a fixed price.

 

 

Choosing off the a la Carte menu, the 250g Rib-Eye Steak was as good as any I have tasted, cooked to perfection and served with the addition of Pommes Frites, all the food was served hot with good service that was discreet yet with the right amount of attention. 

 

 

French cheese lovers will not be disappointed with the Assiette de Fromage that comes with a rustic Normandy Camembert, a zesty and nutty St-Maude-de-Touraine Ash, a vert sweet Artisan Comte and a creamy Fourme D’Ambert Laque.

 

 

A full English cooked breakfast and a buffet style continental breakfast is served in the Bistro too. The Pain aux Raisin and Croissants tasted as if they had come straight from your favourite Parisian boulangerie. The sausages and bacon served were of excellent quality too.

 

Whilst the hotel does not have a gym it makes up for the omission by providing a quality hotel that comes with excellent service, is well positioned for business and shopping and most of all, my room in particular felt homely and was clean and comfortable. The former eye hospital has become one of the best hotels in Birmingham and is definitely one to keep an eye on should you decide to visit the city.