Not sure it's really northerners for B'ham. Might be a bit too corporate but I've stayed at https://www.thebelfry.co.uk/en-gb a couple times, but didn't really explore the area so will leave that to others.
Soooo, if I am not working in February I will be going to an event at the NEC, now in all my travels I have never visited Birmingham so I am looking for recommendations for things to see/romantic hotel/place to eat nearish to the NEC
i know its a broad brush but all input appreciated
mike
Not sure it's really northerners for B'ham. Might be a bit too corporate but I've stayed at https://www.thebelfry.co.uk/en-gb a couple times, but didn't really explore the area so will leave that to others.
I did an event there some years back and we stayed in Stratford on Avon for the week. Only half an hour’s drive away from the NEC. Plenty of options for eating out I recall.
Romantic hotel? Hah. There are some chain hotels on site, but the greatest thing about the NEC is its excellent transport links, by road, rail and air. Get in, get out, sod off. No reason to stay longer than you need to.
Cheers,
Plug
You need the Hotel du Vin or Malmaison but both are in the City centre.
This one isn't far from the NEC, and has a good restaurant and rooms. Stratford, Warwick and Leamington are close by.
https://hamptonmanor.com
Nigel
This, depends on your budget but you are not stuck close to the NEC as Birmingham international rail station is easy walking distance to the NEC and all under cover. Why not find something in Central Birmingham and get the train in and out, that way you can have a glass of something with lunch and avoid the traffic trying to get out of the £10ish NEC car parks
We always stay at the Hyatt when visiting Brum. As others have said, the NEC is best reached by train anyway so better to stay in the city centre. The Hyatt do Regency Club access rooms for around an extra £20 which gets you a room on the top two floors plus free nibbles and booze for a few hours early evening and a decent continental breakfast in the morning. All served in the private Regency Club away from the riff raff. It’s not that grand but it’s a pleasant place to sit with views over the city before heading out.
Birmingham is neither 'North' or romantic.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
New Hall Hotel is nice:
https://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/newhall#
I have stayed at Nailcote hall (although it was a good time ago)
https://www.nailcotehall.co.uk
The Hotel du Vin would be my choice.
Crowne Plaza club room is my normal choice in Brum. Like the Hyatt you get access to the club lounge with evening drinks and canapés plus a continental breakfast in the morning.
Resort world right next to the Nec has a Hotel
The NEC is right at the international railway station. Prebook the station car park and leave the car there for the duration. Stay in the middle of Brum at one of the hotels mentioned. They are all a short way from New St station so get the train in and out to the NEC. Plenty of good eateries in Brum. Try the jam house for some music, MP Whites steak house is supposed to be good. The area by the canal nearby the Mailbox is nice for hanging out. That’s what I do for NEC shows and it’s better than staying out at the NEC.
There’s a Hilton right next to the NEC.
Also stayed in the Belfry many years ago too.
The night club was “interesting”!
Genting Hotel at Resorts World is your best option if looking to stay on site. It's a very nice hotel and there is an abundance of bars and restaurants in the same complex along with a cinema, casino and retail shops. Parking isn't an issue either if you use the resort car multi storey car park. The hotel will validate your ticket to give you the discounted rate.
https://www.gentinghotel.co.uk
https://www.resortsworldbirmingham.co.uk
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Last edited by GMC41; 10th December 2018 at 06:26.
We went a few times when children were young - as a Southerner has a rather grim image but really like the city.
The science museum, shopping, canal trip (not sure in the Winter though!) and day out to Alton Towers.
We work 9 days at the NEC every November and have done the last 11 years there :-( We've settled on Solihull as it's a 15 minute drive & has a wealth of pubs, restaurants etc. The Ramada in Solihull is the one we use, it's a bit tired in places but the rooms are decent, there's free parking and it's got a pub next door, a curry house next to that & the High Street with shopping arcade next to that.
Used to stay there myself when worked in Solihull for 6 months. As you say, tired but good location - loved the Masons next door.
Miss staying there as our office moved to the Business Park. Ever since I stayed at the Hilton Metrodome. Really like that hotel to be fair, nice walk over to Resorts world
The bulls head in Meriden is just down the road
It’s a lovely place for food and wine
They have decent rooms
Easy five min drive to NEC