Hotels in Birmingham in general - Malmaison (Hotels in Birmingham in general)

Member Name: sunmeilan

Product:	Hotels in Birmingham in general
Date:	10/02/06 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fabulous decor and service

Disadvantages: Expensive

Introduction
One of the main advantages of going away on fieldwork with my boss is that he refuses point blank to stay in grotty hotels if he can help it, but also makes sure that I get to stay in a good hotel too. Generally, we have a budget or around £50-£80, which means three star hotels - perfectly adequate, but sometimes it is nice to stay somewhere a bit more extravagant (especially when I'm not paying for it). My first introduction to the Malmaison chain was in Leeds and I have to say I was very impressed.

Booking
This is very easy by visiting www.malmaison.com and clicking on the relevant hotel. Alternatively, you can call 0121 246 5000.

Location
The hotel is located in Birmingham's Mailbox complex, home to designer shops such as Emporio Armani. The Mailbox was apparently once a Royal Mail sorting office, hence the name. The hotel is within walking distance of Birmingham New Street and therefore the Bull Ring Centre and all the entertainment, restaurants and pubs around it.

Checking in
This couldn't have been easier. The staff are extremely polite, no-one is kept waiting and keys were quickly handed over. Someone will carry your bags upstairs if you need help. The registration area is decorated much like the rest of the hotel with expensive fabrics and beautiful furniture.

The rooms
Absolutely stunning. My room was enormous and contained all the usual furniture, except that it was beautifully decorated in browns and creams with splashes of colour from the art work on the walls. There were many facilities in my room (which was standard), including a CD player (with CDs that you are encouraged to buy!), a mini-bar, hairdryer, tea/coffee facilities and TV. The bathroom was fabulous, large and airy and with an amazing power shower. Luxuries such as body lotion, soap and shower gel are also included and not in the tiny bottles usually found in hotels, but large bottles that you are encouraged to take away and that smell divine. The bed and chairs were all extremely comfortable.

Facilities
There is a spa and gym, although as far as I could work out, these were not free to hotel guests and booking was recommended.

Food
I ordered room service for dinner, although there is an amazing brasserie if you prefer to eat with friends. The room service food was excellent - I just ordered a burger, which cost about £12, with a glass of wine. The service was very quick and the food was excellent - it clearly hadn't been hanging around in the kitchen. There was a good selection of food, including fish and vegetarian choices. I also ordered room service for breakfast, which I ordered for a certain time and which came dead on the dot, with piping hot coffee. Excellent.

The staff
Couldn't be more helpful. There was very much an orientation towards the customer always being right, staff talked quietly and were polite at all times - far removed from staff in the usual standard of hotel I frequent! Nothing was too much trouble.

The price
This is the tricky bit. The price for a standard room booked over the internet came to a cool £135. Ouch. Thank goodness I wasn't paying.

Checking out
Again, this was quick and easy and although there were a number of guests wanting to check out at the same time, no-one was kept waiting. I asked for a taxi and someone called one immediately; there is a taxi rank just down the road from the hotel.

Conclusion
If I was paying for myself, I would steer well clear of a hotel charging these prices - I believe that if all you are going to do is sleep in a hotel, it just needs to be clean and functional. However, I do spend a lot of time in hotels for work purposes, travelling all over the country and sometimes, especially if I am going to spend more than just the night there, I do like a bit of luxury. And that is certainly what you get at the Malmaison. Service, food and facilities are all fabulous and I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone travelling to Birmingham and wanting something a bit classier than a Premier Travel Inn. You get what you pay for, no doubt about that.

Summary: Worth it if someone else is paying!