The Grand Hotel Birmingham

A stunning feature is the grand staircase that sweeps through the whole building

- Tamsin Cocks

BACKGROUND The gorgeous Grade II-listed heritage property first opened in 1879. The hotel was forced to close in 2002 before being brought back to life with a £50 million restoration and reopening in May 2021.

WHERE IS IT? Centrally located on Colmore Row, one of the city's most prestigious business addresses, opposite St Philip's Cathedral. It's a five-minute walk from Birmingham New Street railway station, while the city centre and Bullring shopping centre are less than 10 minutes away.

WHAT'S IT LIKE? The sense of grandeur from the exterior continues on the inside, with French Renaissance, Victorian and Art Deco features throughout the property and its 185 rooms. Original period details have been restored, from ornate ceilings to mosaic tiled floors. Arguably the most stunning feature is the grand staircase with marble columns that sweep through all ten floors of the building, though there are also lifts, with miniature screens inside displaying the day's headlines and weather.

ROOMS The property has seven room categories, from the entry-level Grand Room (20 sqm) to the Penthouse suite (135 sqm). I stayed in a Grand Deluxe room (25 sqm) on the fifth floor (room 510).