Overview

Situated within walking distance of the pleasant busy but charming shopping centre of Solihull, Voco invites you to relax in one of 180 simple but rather dull decorations in a modern guest room. They suggest a gentle swim in the indoor heated pool, go mad in the small but modern equipped gym, or do as we poor old disabled souls did, simply relaxed over a decent cup of coffee at Bar six5one. If it’s near lunch time enjoy a light snack with them, or in the evening try the pleasant enough six5one restaurant. With easy to reach driving, free parking (IF YOU REMEMBER TO REGISTER YOUR CAR) at reception desk, an outdoor garden area, in need of winter tidy up, but at least your visit to Solihull could not be more convenient. The hotel chain of Voco, offers this as a 5 star hotel, but we only give it 3 stars, as on our visit it was quiet, dull, dark and dingy, it’s supposed to be modern, with charming little touches in a unstuffy hotel, but our first impressions did not do anything for us, it looked uncared for all around the grounds, pot holes, unkempt areas, the gym and pool outside areas as you arrive needed a lot more care and attention, the ground floor areas of the hotel where dark, hardly any lights on at all, just off putting, and this was disappointing, for as we believe the hotel was used as a covid station, not sure mind you, but we certainly were not allowed to visit the hotel due to covid during the few years of the pandemic, so we thought that money would have been coming into the hotel, but we were really disappointed with its general overall appearance, considering we have visited a number of times since it’s opening days, but it seemed to us that’s it gone downhill over the last two years, and that’s sad, especially when we are reminded that this was the second Voco brand hotel to be opened by them, but pride has gone at the moment by them, and when you consider what the brands name is meant to convey, “to invite” or to “come together” it’s lost its way. Again sad. OUR REVIEW After a shot drive through the outskirts of Solihull along town streets, we drove up to an uninspiring, unkempt car parking area, (photo 1) and parked close to main entrance which had two steps leading into hotel and automatic door (photo 2). There are three disabled bays available (3) each side of the entrance, while a ramp leads to an automatic door (4) with a sign showing there are car parking charges, SO PLEASE make sure you register your car at reception desk. It a very plain desk area, not very impressive, (5) but all details can be had here. The lounge area was very dark and dingy, no lights on to welcome us, and the hallway leads us towards the bar area (6) Which is nothing to shoutabout. It’s not very appealing where we sat (7) either, but at least it was comfortable and we enjoyed a decent cup of coffee. Close to reception desk, a dark hallway led to toilets (8) just ladies and gents here, (9) no disabled signs to be seen. The grey Tiled mens room was very clean and tidy, but just ordinary cubicles (10) so disabled would have to get out to be able to use. However, we discovered later for ourselves, that opposite reception desk is another dull corridor leading to disabled toilet, which is also very small but well kept. We found the doorway for the restaurant (11) and it was reasonably attractive enough, ideal for breakfast, (12) but could be more as a main restaurant. One lift is available by reception, but it is very narrow, and our wheelchair just managed to fit in (13) a wide chair would struggle. This led up to bedrooms (14) along pleasant corridors. We did not manage to see disabled rooms, so cannot advice you. From the restaurant windows there is a view of the gardens (15) but the entry to the Leisure club (16) and gardens (17) is next to the bar. Moving along the pathway, you come to a step (18) you need to get up, and you will be shown into the small but modern equipped gym (19) and if you desire, a nice looking pool area (20). OUR FINAL THOUGHTS. It’s not all that bad, it was nice enough for us to sit and relax with a nice cup of coffee which we did enjoy, but nothing there to keep us, or to consider dining later on. In general we were disappointed with Voco St John, we have enjoyed other Voco hotels, so let’s hope they pick up again as a group.

Transport & Parking

Easy enough to find along town streets, but a drab and tired looking car park awaited, with three disabled bays close enough to main entrance with a ramp available to get into hotel.

Access

Access into hotel is via a ramp, then it’s level all the way, apart from step at leisure centre. There is a small narrow lift to get you up to bedrooms. When needing bathroom we found no signs directing us to disabled toilets, and only after using normal gents, which my husband had to get out of chair to walk into toilet area, did we spot a disabled toilet, but that was by chance, as no clear sign to point the way. Alongside reception is an area with seating available to rest awhile, but it’s just as easy to go to the bar area, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.

Toilets

We found ordinary toilets which were nice and clean, but cubicles were rather narrow, so had to leave wheelchair outside and walk in, however, by chance we did see disabled toilet later on near to reception desk, but a bit late then.

Staff

Pleasant enough, but reception desk could have been quicker in helping us, as busy on phone to who we believe was staff members, and we had to wait some time, but at least the lady was pleasant enough. We only met a couple of other staff members, but they were helpful and friendly enough.

Photos