Overview

You may wish to also visit Crowne Plaza Birmingham before or after this hotel. See our review for that particular hotel. ================================================================== HYATT REGENCY HOTEL. SAT NAV. B1 2JZ. BRIDGE STREET, BIRMINGHAM. Very nice visit, plush, elegant, and friendly enough hotel. This 246 high modern hotel with 24 floors, stands opposite centenary square and the International convention centre, with Birminghams night clubs and restaurants along canal street, all within easy walking distances, served by buses and Metro trams. It was built to have close ties with the International convention centre, and has a private access bridge that connects the centre with the hotel itself, used especially by visiting prime ministers and friends, on special summit meetings. When first built the hotel cost £37 million pounds shared by a private company, Hyatt corporation, and the Birmingham city council During April 2002 it was put up for sale, and bought in November 2002 by London Plaza Hotels, but still to be run by Hyatt Regency. The Birmingham council made a £5 million pound profit on its sale. After going into administration, the Hyatt Hotels Corporation bought the hotel for £27 million pounds in 2012, investing £6 million pounds in 2014, before selling in 2016 to a Middle East group for £38.6 million pounds. Let’s take a quick tour of the hotel. The Hyatt stands around redevelopment areas of the city which have yet to be completed, although these buildings are well established now (photo 1) and the tall Hyatt certainly has an appealing modern look about it. The main entrance has a small car park on one side, and a central canopy offering shelter to those arriving. We were rather put off by the untidy, dirty, unkempt forecourt though, pavements badly in need of a wash down right outside the main entry, which was rather concerning as to what we would find inside, this needs to be addressed by management as first impressions count so much to many people. The revolving door and accessible door next to it needs maintenance work (photo 2) and a disabled person will need help by carer to hold the pull door open to let them in. However, what a pleasant surprise when you then enter the hotel itself (photo 4) as it certainly is appealing, modern, spotlessly clean, highly polished floors, colourful and warm looking. The steps look daunting, but over to the right, heading for reception desk, there is a ramp available (photo 5) which will get you up to the Aria restaurant location (photo 6) and looks worth investigating with afternoon tea in mind, or perhaps later on, your evening dinner (photo 7) but those steps needed to get you up was a bit worrying, we do not know how you could cope with that ? There is another restaurant available which has level entry, and we will show you this in a minute. To use public toilets, you need to go down the ramp to lower section by main entrance, and head to the right (photo 8) and you will find toilets (but no disabled toilet) (photo 9) which are nicely decorated in lightly coloured wall ties complimented by darker floor tiles, blacktops, with modern facilities (photo 10) but although you may get your chair inside, you certainly will not get any into the narrow cubicles, so that’s a let down. Back up again, their are pleasant comfortable seating available where coffee may be taken (photo 11) with views over the very nice hotels interior (photo 12). Opposite the Aria restaurant and behind the staircase (photo 13) lies a second and just as appealing another restaurant (photo 14) which is on the level and easier for disabled to use. The Gentleman and Scholar offers an interesting limited menu, and we were pleased with the costs as well, so we entered the Bar lounge (photo 15) and settled down at the far end in plush leather seats, with a huge table for use, ideal for small families (photo 16) Ordering was easy with an attentive waiter taking care of us, and sitting below the top hats (photo 17) we tucked into a delightful lunch. There is a good selection of seating areas available, all comfortable and relaxing, and outside they have provided a nice conservatory like sitting area, overlooking Broad Street and Centenary square where you may people watch. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS First of all we have not given this hotel the 5* it should be getting because of the unkept, dirty appearance around the main front door entrance which was very off putting, we are surprised about the managements attitude towards this area, everyone sees it, so why not clean it ? Mind you, the whole area around the hotel was a mess, the street was untidy, building work unfinished, a general feeling of neglect, and it looks as if there is no intention at the moment of anything being done, typical council attitude. Cars are allowed to park up by the entrance (photo 2) and this means a disabled wheelchair has to go around them on the pavement before entering the hotel, and it was rather narrow, so again off putting. As regards the hotel itself, don’t be put off by outside appearance because once you are past the entrance area, it’s a beautiful setting, nice relaxing areas to sit, and we enjoyed a very nice pot of tea. Lunch was lovely, well prepared and presented, at reasonable prices as well. The whole deco was tastefully done, comfortable hotel, and worth a visit.

Transport & Parking

There are just a few spaces available for overnight guests only, while other visitors will need to find nearby car parks at very expensive costs, disappointing. If you arrive in Birmingham by train, taxes will take you there in a matter of minutes, or you can make your own way from New Street station, or Snow Hill station by using the Metro trams, just a few stops away.

Access

Easy. All on the level, except getting up to restaurants which is via a ramp next to reception desks.

Toilets

Did not see any disabled public toilets, other than in restaurants, and they were ideal, easy to get into although very small, no chair will get into cubicles though. Very clean and well maintained.

Staff

Usual highly trained staff, willing and friendly enough.

Photos