The Grand Hotel Birmingham

We can’t be the only people who sometimes find a hotel room advertised as accessible isn’t always as accessible as we need it to be. To that end I always spend a ridiculous amount of time researching and calling hotels and in this case I arranged with the hotel to visit in advance of booking to check if it could work for a manual wheelchair user with pretty limited upper body strength - and a hearing impairment. On arrival it was clear that the steps at the front entrance of this historic building would necessitate a very steep ramp so I went around the corner to find an alternative entrance that would suit our wheelchair user (who usually travels with a companion). A glass door leads into a bar and restaurant area on what is technically the lower ground floor. From here one passes along a corridor and can then take a lift (there are also stairs) to the ground floor lobby area. Here you’ll find the front desk (lovely reception staff but no lowered desk for those who might not be able to see over a standard height counter at check in) and another larger and more opulent bar in the style of a gentleman’s club off to the side. The bar is elegant seems especially popular with male patrons during the day. Seating seemed to be mainly low sofas but staff were keen to stress that they would ensure that everyone is welcome and that they would help to find suitable seating if a guest in a wheelchair wanted to transfer. The lobby area in front of the main reception desk can be busy by day with a lot of people coming and going but the staff were all unfailingly helpful and welcoming. The sort of information I need to know before booking a room is not available on the hotel’s website so it was really helpful to be able to see one of the accessible rooms all of which are slightly different and have a mixture of double beds and at least one that can be twinned. Just inside the wide door to the bedroom there is more space than usual to manoeuvre and for a companion or carer. The Grand can supply a deafguard but does not have a hoist. It looked as though there might just be enough room to fit the foot of a portable hoist under the bed in the room I saw but it would be very tight. If planning to bring a hoist it is definitely worth checking with the hotel first and asking for exact measurements. The accessible bedroom is a good size - with space for both manual and power chairs to manoeuvre - although in the configuration I saw, there is only really enough room to transfer to one side of the bed (or beds as the hotel has several rooms that can be twinned). The main bedroom is carpeted - with a very jazzy monochrome design that blended a little too well with the long stool at the end of the bed which sports a similar pattern and which some people with a visual impairment might find tricky to navigate around. There is however good colour contrast between the flooring and the walls. There is an interconnecting door to an adjacent standard double room. As well as the bed, a small round table with two chairs - that staff said could be moved if guests so request - there is a large unit which comprises several shelves /storage options as well as a minifridge, a safety deposit box and the wardrobe which has been fitted with a pull down rail to hang clothes hangers on (see attached photo with description). Because of a lack of upper body strength and a strong desire to remain independent, we have a preference for a simple lowered rail in the wardrobe as it avoids the need to ask someone to have to pull the contraption down. The room enjoys a lot of natural daylight and there are reading lights by the bed. BATHROOM The windowless, wet room-style bathroom (shower only, no bath) is a generous size and has a shower that could be lowered to the level of someone sitting in a shower chair or on the seat provided without overly extending. The amenities are fixed to the wall. TOILET There are plenty of rails around the toilet and in the shower but not enough low hooks on the wall. If someone is travelling alone, it can be hard to hang towels, wash bags etc up if one cannot reach the hooks at standard height. There is a red cord in the bathroom. The accessible room I saw at The Grand would be more than adequate for our needs. I had the feeling that someone had gone to the trouble to think about what people might need. Given there is more than one room, it would have been great to know the hotel has a hoist in at least one of their accessible rooms. With the addition of a few more lowered hooks and a repositioning of the bed to enable two wheelchair users to transfer more easily from each side of the bed, it would score very highly indeed. PUBLIC ACCESSIBLE TOILETS. Downstairs on the lower ground floor restaurant and bar level there is an accessible toilet. It’s quite easy to miss it as the sign is next to the door rather than on the door itself. It isn’t huge and isn’t particularly well lit. No proper shelf or hook for those needing to attend to their colostomy. And you can only transfer onto the toilet from one side - after negotiating the obligatory unnecessary extra bin. But it is good to know it is there - along with a baby change table.

What a delight, taking afternoon tea in a most beautiful grand opulent lounge, spoilt for the day, feeling important, and enjoying an experience we will not forget. Tea will be served in the elegant and opulent Madeleine Lounge, with hand finished bone china presented by able willing staff, and is an experience of its own. Finger sandwiches will be followed by delicately prepared scones and fresh cream and jam, with truly delightful pastries to finish, all prepared by the Grand Hotels own team. A choice of Newby loose leaf teas will be offered, and we loved the gimmick of the tea timers to let you know when to pour, just that little extra gives you the feeling of being cared for. OUR PHOTOS Just as a reminder, a few photos will introduce you to the Grand Hotel, but do read our first review when you can to let you know more about this lovely hotel. The Grand Hotel stands at the centre of Birmingham, easy to find, as it is just across the road from the Birmingham cathedral. (Photos 1 and 2) while the hotel itself stands just across the road, with its entrance down the side road (photo 3). ( For disabled access read our first part review ) to see how staff will escort you onto the accessible lift (photos 4 and 5) The reception area is warm and inviting, with pleasant willing staff who will help you with all your needs (photo 6) before you enter the Madeleine Lounge, a really magnificent appealing and tastefully decorated lounge, (photo 7) with most comfortable seating that will help you relax before tea. Your chair can be easily taken care of and placed where you need it (photo 8) as your gaze settles on the bar (photo 9) as you decide what to enjoy before your looked forward to Afternoon Tea. (photo 10) When you are ready, you may enter the prepared section of the lounge (photo 11) and join other guests in the delightful and comfortable lounge (photo 12) and await to be served a glass of Champaign (photo 13). on our visit in June 2022, when you book in advance for afternoon tea, ( the Champaign is included in the cost ). Your choice of Tea will then be brought to you, served in high class china pottery (photo 14) to be followed with delicate excellent sandwiches, truly lovely little scones with lots of cream, and you may ask for more, and handmade pastries that are delicious (photo 15). So let’s start our treat for today (photo 16). Truly satisfied, why not return to the bar and settle down in a comfortable seat (photo 17) and join the other guests (Photo 18) until your cocktail arrives (photo 19) OUR FINAL THOUGHTS If you fancy an excellent afternoon tea experience, then definitely try the Grand Hotel. You sit in elegant surroundings, while feeling pampered. You certainly will not leave feeling Hungary, a continuous supply of your chosen tea will be offered, and the cakes are a delight. We really do recommend Afternoon tea at The Grand, an experience to enjoy. The whole hotel has an ambience of its own, it’s classy and elegant, above the standard of other hotels, it is a GRAND hotel.

Excellent and elegant top rated city centre hotel. SAT NAV. B3 2BS GRAND HOTEL, The Birmingham improvement act of 1861 declared that old buildings in the area should be demolished and cleared for new developments along Birminghams Colmore Row, and work began in the late 1860’s. The design for a new hotel was designed by Thomas Plevins, and work began on it in 1875 and took four years to build, opening on 1st February 1879. The hotel first of all opened up 100 rooms while 60 other rooms yet needed to be completed. A Restaurant, two coffee rooms, and stock rooms with exhibition space was available for demonstrations of various products that could allow businesses to put items on view was also opened at this time. The hotel was then “let” to an operator from Newcastle upon Tyne, but in 1890, following difficulties by the operator, the hotel was handed back to the owners. Reconstruction work was then carried out, and again, three years later more additions were carried out, with these new rooms being decorated out in Louis X1V style, and 75 more bedrooms were added. The Hotels heydays were in the 1900’s when many famous names enjoyed visiting the hotel, but in the 1969 period the hotel ran into financial difficulties, and had to close in 1969. A new company took over the lease in 1972, but they to had to hand over the hotel in 1976. Over the next years, one after another owners tried hard, but the hotel began to fall into decline, and in August 2002, the hotel finally closed. The owners tried to have the hotel demolished, but the Victorian Society to protect old buildings applied to stop the work going ahead, and in fact, they gained the hotel a Grade 11 listing in May 2004, which stopped it from being demolished. Now, new planning applications were entered, and work commenced in October 2012, and after nine years of hard work, the new Grand Hotel opened again in May 2021. Just as a side line, and perhaps of interest to you, our family were caretakers of a block of offices right across the road and Cathedral on Colmore Row, Dennis being brought up here from 1947, becoming the caretaker himself in 1972. Our rooms overlooked the Grand Hotel, we were that close to it. We watched the Grand going through its high and lows, so it’s always been a part of us, so to now review the Hotel for you has been a pleasure. OUR REVIEW The Grand Hotel stands in the centre of town, handy by train to NEW STREET STATION, and just a 10 minute walk uphill to reach the Birmingham Cathedral on Colmore Row. OR you can catch the Metro TRAM from outside of NEW STREET station, it’s well signed, and just two stops away. Get off tram, walk straight ahead to main Colmore Row, turn left and the hotel is just a minute away. Parking is difficult, it’s street parking if you want to be near Hotel, although a car park is situated quite close by, at the SNOW HILL STATION, but it is very expensive. The Cathedral stands on the highest point of the city (photo 1) with the Grand Hotel opposite it, you can just see it’s corner on the photo. Walk across the grounds towards Grand Hotel (photo 2) cross Colmore Row and walk down the hill with the Grand on your right. Just a few feet and you will arrive at the entrance (photo 3). JUST BEFORE the steps needed to get up into hotel for able bodied people, there is a door available for disabled use, (photo 3) so just press the call button, and reception will immediately send a member to come and open the locked door for you, then ahead you will see the small lift, which is hand controlled, but usually the receptionist will help you and hold the lift button for you (photo 4) You will be taken to where you request, we asked for reception (photo 6) which is very pleasant but small desk, and attentive receptionist will see to your needs, and if needed the lifts are right next to desk (photo 7) Not needing lifts just then,we went to see the famous ball room, a very large and pelegant room, ornately dressed (photo 8) with a truly magnificent ceiling (photo 9) and well lit in gentle light, the balconies so nicely lined up awaiting visitors on dance night (photo 10). To reach the Isaac restaurant, you have a choice. You may take the lift down and walk along to it, or do as we did, we exited the hotel, and rode round, well, I pushed wheelchair round, to the rear of the hotel (photo 11) and on the corner we found Isaacs (photo 12) and entered the restaurant by its separate door (photo 13) which was on the level for us, and entered the Bar area. There are seating on the top level (photo 14) while the bar itself is below, but staff are soon with you to order a drink. Then you depart through the exit door and round to the main hotel entrance again. But if that’s not your choice, then from reception, take the lift downstairs, walk along to the restaurant, and take your seat. It is a very interesting but different restaurant at first glance (photo 15) but a pleasant relaxing place to dine, offering more casual dinning, but very nicely presented, it’s top class service as you would expect. To reach toilets, go along the decorative tiled corridor (photo 16) to turn at the far end (photo 17) and the disabled toilet room will just be on your left (photo 18). Although small, you would just about get your chair inside (photo 19) and find it is very clean, well maintained, with grab rails and pull cord. Then return to the restaurant, and up by lift to go to your overnight room if booked, or along to the magnificent lounge for cocktails or afternoon tea. (We offer a review on our next part for Grand hotel ) OUR FINAL THOUGHTS Well worth a visit, it’s a nice place. It is elegant, tastefully decorated, marble pillers and tiled flooring, which suited the building. Very relaxing, comfortable seating, and a feeling that all is well. We would highly recommend you visiting, very pleasant hotel for a disabled person.