Need a hotel in Coventry? Check this out for bargain prices! (Hotels in West Midlands in general)

Member Name: sue.51

Product:	Hotels in West Midlands in general
Date:	28/06/01 (134 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent location

Disadvantages: Bargain prices are well kep secret

Britannia Hotel, Coventry (previously the De-Vere) is situated on the edge of the city centre, approximately 2 minutes walk away from the Old and New Cathedrals, and literally a stones throw away from the Main Bus Station. Pubs, Club and restaurants abound are a short walking distance away from the hotel.

ENTRANCE
The entrance hall, in common with the other Britannia Hotels I have visited, is a rather grand marble style affair, more reminscent of what you would expect in an overseas hotel.

Check-in was slow even though the area was not particularly busy and there was a lot of staff on duty. Be prepared, if paying by Credit Card, to have a pre-authorisation taken of your card, and unlike any hotel chain I have visited, be prepared to sign for an amount which will be substantially more than your room rate, although they guarantee that no money will be deducted from your card until you check out. This is little different to other hotel chains, except that you actually see the amount they are pre-authorising.

RACK-RATES
I will give you the rack-rates as advertised in the hotel, but before you all pass out with shock, take a tip and book via the internet, it is much much cheaper.

**TWIN/DOUBLE ROOM - £130 per night
**EXECUTIVE DOUBLE - £140 per night
**FAMILY ROOMS - £170 per night
**JACUZZI ROOMS - £170 per night

I visited their web-site at http://www.britanniahotels.com at input my requirements, I was offered an Economy Double Room for £45 per night including breakfast. A standard double room was £70 (this quote was for one person). I contacted the hotel directly to compare rates, and was quoted £65 B&B. I queried the difference between an economy and standard double room and was advised that the economy rooms were not as nicely decorated. As I was paying for it myself on this occasion I opted for the cheaper room and booked over the internet.

I have checked randomly other dates on their
web-site to determine whether these prices were because it was a last minute double, but can confirm the price was the same for all dates, and £55 for weekends (min stay req'd).

THE ROOM
Twin Beds, En-Suite - with power-shower and bath, complimentary Shower Gel, Shampoo and Soap, Heated towel rail, 4 towels, 4 pillows, complimentary tea tray, no biscuits, Trouser Press, Colour TV (remote control missing), but as I was going visiting for the evening, let this go, Desk area, telephone, hairdryer, comfy chair, coffee table, Thermostatically controlled radiator. (design - very flowery and old fashioned wallpaper). Double Glazed - The room was very warm, and because of this naturally the windows were left open, which offered something of a shock at 6am in the morning, when all the buses came to life.

CAR-PARKING
Unsurprisingly (after my experience with the Britannia in Manchester), there is no parking at the hotel, however, there is 24 hour open air car-parking a short walk away, cost - 50p from 6pm to 8am. I believe there is also long term parking available around the corner. The city is well-stocked with CCTV cameras and therefore there should not be any problem with leaving the car overnight.

ALCOHOL FREE ZONE
The city centre is an alcohol free zone, and therefore you can only buy alcohol during the evenings at pubs, restaurants and hotels, DO NOT WALK AROUND WITH A DRINK - YOU CAN BE PROSECUTED.

BREAKFAST
A sumptious feast sited in Bentley's restaurant, on a self service basis - consisting of:
FRUIT JUICES (in every flavour imaginable)
including: Apple, Grapefruit, Orange and Tomato.
FRESH-FUIT
Grapefruit or Oranges in syrup
CEREALS
Everything from Cornflakes and Bran-Flakes to Muesli
COOKED ENGLISH
Bacon
Sausage
Fried Potatoes
Has Browns
Fried Egg
Scrambled Egg
Mushrooms
Baked Beans
Tomatoes
Fried Bread
Black Pudding
Toast <
br><br>CONTINENTAL
Cold Meats
Cheese
Bread Rolls
Conserve

All served with tea/coffee and Boiled eggs available on request

NEWSPAPERS
These are complimentary and offered a choice between The Mirror or the Independent

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
As already mentioned, the hotel is on the edge of the town centre and adjacent to Coventry University (might be worth avoiding during Freshers Week/Fortnight), ideally placed for a good night out in this ever developing and improving city.

BABY-SITTING/LISTENING
The hotel provides a baby-listening service where you can dial into your room from any phone in the hotel free of charge.
Baby-sitting is available on request.

BARS & RESTAURANTS & CONFERENCE FACILITIES
Parties from 5 to 600 people can be catered for in conferences. There is a popular restaurant on site (not sampled), and a bar which had a daily happy hour @ £1.25 a pint.

LEISURE FACILITIES
There are no leisure facilities at the hotel, however, it is about 2 mins walk away from the Coventry Leisure centre, which boasts a 50m swimming pool and gymnasium for the healthier amongst us. I am not aware of any special deals between the hotel and leisure centre.

CONTACT DETAILS
THE BRITANNIA HOTEL
Fairfax Street
Coventry
CV1 5RP
Tel : 02476 633733
Fax : 02476 520172

However, for a good price booking, use their secure website at www.britanniahotels.com

Summary: