Overview

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.

Transport & Parking

It has no parking facilities of its own, just advices you of near by car parks which are very expensive.

Access

You enter the hotel at a side door to the right of the main hotel entrance, which has a number of high steps to get up, but all you do is press the call button on the wall, and very quickly reception will send a member down to unlock the door for you. It is level to enter, and a small accessible type lift is called and up you go. Ideal, and easy.

Toilets

From reception area, it’s a long way, you must catch the lift, go down a level, follow corridors to toilet, and then you will find disabled toilet which is small, basic, but very clean

Staff

Very good, willing, and well trained, you will enjoy your visit.

Photos