Radisson Blu Hotel, Birmingham

Smoking or non smoking?....Should've been asked!

Location was great. Staff in general were well mannered. Up to 18 floors. Has a gym, but didn't get to see it. Well sized rooms also. Shoe machines on the floors along with ice.

I have to say I love the Raddison blu brand but this will now be the 1st of two lower than average reviews I'll be writing. First of all I felt lucky and a little excited to get a good deal of £88 per night (with breakfast) as apposed to the £150-£170 most sites were advertising (including Raddison blu on their club Carlson membership site). It started with the arrival with my colleague, a small lobby for the size of the hotel. No one there at first but they came out seconds later so it wasn't too much of a problem. We explained to the front desk that I had booked the rooms for two of us, but rather than looking it was assumed it would be under separate names. Could have been my fault so I'll let that go. We then both checked in, only to find that both rooms were under my name. This was done quite fast, which was good and we were sent on our way with a brief explanation about the breakfast in the morning. Missed the offers that were on hand and not valid at check-in so no upsell. Had they asked we would have taken one of the offers. I did show my club Carlson card and asked if there was anyway of upgrading as to which she said "I'm afraid not as the hotel is fully booked". Which was understandable (remember this part!). I was getting myself together at the reception desk, at which she thanked me. She then thanked me again and gave me a look to say do that somewhere else! I looked around and saw a queue behind me, which I was surprised as there was no one there when we arrived. I apologised when I left the desk but left with a slightly sour taste in my mouth. I then went to my room which smelt of cigarettes. I wasn't sure whether someone was taking a chance on smoking in their room or it was a stench in the actual room. The carpet had stains that seemed well embedded (my colleagues room looked as though blood had been engraved into the carpet with stains too!), the tv had very poor reception (so that was the Brits out of the window). Bathroom was a good size and clean, so was the room in general. But lacked any homely or business feel.

Location and the views from the room (stayed on the 15th floor). Cleanliness of the rooms (althought there was quite alot of dust under the luggage rack in the room) and the hotel in general, it is obviously well looked after. However no newspaper was delivered to my room as requested.

Staff are not particularly efficient. At check in, we checked into 2 rooms, one at 1pm and the other at 10pm. Having told the receptionist that we had already checked into a room earlier on in the day she still proceeded to spend the next 5 minutes telling us about breakfast, spa facilities, the gym etc. which we had already heard when we checked into the first room. When we checked into the first room, the receptionsist could not find the booking, even though we tried on numerous occasions to give him our booking conformation with the booking number on it. At breakfast, had eated the rest of our breakfast and were still waiting for 2 fried eggs.

Nice Windows and views to the city

non

Room was spacious and bed comfortable

apart from the below mentioned the hotel was amazing and we would recomend it without hesitation to anyone. the front of house staff were very good and helpful. I work in customer service myself and it was nice for someone to 'go the extra mile' for me.

we ordered a double room. when we got to the room it was a twin. i approached the recption and the helpful lady told me there were no other double rooms but house keeping would go up and push beds together and re make. when we got back after the night out it had not been done.i asked the same girl in the morning who apologised and compensated me which was a very nice gesture.