Warning about European City Guides

WARNING	I have just received the following warning, published in MEPMATTERS,  the newsletter of the West Midlands Conservative MEP Team.
Quote	Malcolm Harbour has been contacted by a number of businesses concerned  about a misleading request to be included in the "European City Guide".
Quote	"At first glance this looks like an official publication for the EU," said Malcolm. "But be warned, if you sign the order form, you are agreeing to be placed on a commercial website and will be charged approximately £1000 for the privilege."
Reminder	There is no charge for listing on my blog, and while I run it there never will be.	Robert, blog owner

Availability	Most hotels were booked weeks ago. But there are still spaces in some hotels away from the City Centre. I have listed only one, because I called there on Sunday lunchtime as the Conference was beginning, and was told they have space. Keep trying, especially further out. Reminder - use the Blog Archive (right hand side of the page) for August and September to find the full range of hotels.
Photos	Any (thumbnail) photos on this blog, unless a hotel's own publicity, are taken by myself.  You may find some of them on Wikipedia, under my nom-de-plume Robert of Ramsor.  Please inform me of any other use of these.
Winson Green	The main canal from Birmingham to Wolverhampton lines up with midsummer sunset at Winson Green.

Birmingham Wheel

The Birmingham Wheel

Moved in February 2010 because the space in Centenary Square was needed for other things.

Studio Restaurant & Lodge

Location	About 5  miles out at Quinton, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes, frequent service.	Map
Address	The Studio Restaurant & Lodge 616 Hagley Road, Quinton, B68 0BS 0121 422 2926 www.studiorestaurant.co.uk
Prices Per room ( 2010)	from their web site - The Lodge comprises 11 superior style studio suites that boast the charm and elegance of yesteryear together with all the modern creature comforts - £48 per night.	Normally £48
Comment	I called on Sunday 03 October. Rooms available, reduced rate £41:95, breakfast extra.

What this is about

WHAT THIS IS ABOUT
This blog is about	helping visitors to events in Birmingham, such as The Conservative Party Conference in October 2010, to find more affordable hotels. When I was at the Conference in 2008, I met people who did not have the contacts to find the more economical hotels. That's when I had the idea of posting something on the web to tell people about some of the hotels which are more affordable. Of course, the information is the same for other events, and not only the Conservative Conference.	Map
Birmingham	is a very convenient starting point for a lot of tourist places around the Midlands and further afield
Disclaimer.	Since I live in Birmingham, I have not stayed in these hotels.  I cannot vouch for quality from my own experience.  So this information is given without any guarantees. I hope someone will find this site useful.
Hotel owners	Please send in your information, since I can't get around to all the hotels in Birmingham.

General Information Guide

GENERAL INFORMATION GUIDE
NOTE	There is an exhibition on at the NEC in early October, so many hotels are fully booked. They may have cancellations, but be prepared for disappointment.
Location	Approximate distance from the ICC (Conference location), Centenary Square.Bus route information is a summary. Transport - Party Conference delegates can collect a Centro travel pass from the Centro stand within the secure area. This covers buses and Metro, and is the best option for travel during Conference.	Map
Address	Hotel address Hotel reception phone number e-mail address (if available)
Prices Per room	Range of rooms Single / Twin / Double / en suite options. Normally Bed and Breakfast - check when booking.	£?? Prices quoted if to hand.
Comment	For most hotels I will have no additional comments. At the 2008 Conference, I met people who wished they could have found more economical hotels. This blog is my answer to their comments.

Note - Blogger HTML does not work quite like standard web page HTML, so some of the layout in these tables does not look as I intend it to.

Photos 2

Canal in Birmingham	Looking from the NIA towards Broad Street when the canal was frozen over.
Winson Green	The main canal from Birmingham to Wolverhampton lines up with midsummer sunset at Winson Green.
The Birmingham Wheel	The Wheel lined up with the Memorial. I saw this view while walking from the Library towards Centenary Square.
Birmingham skyline	The view from Frankley Beeches, including the new "super-hospital", includes the reservoirs, and a classic Birmingham skyline.

Photos 1

Sarehole Mill	This is one of the features on the "Tolkien Trail".
Winson Green	The main canal from Birmingham to Wolverhampton lines up with midsummer sunset at Winson Green.
The Birmingham Wheel	Moved in February 2010 because the space in Centenary Square was needed for other things.
Boulton Watt and Murdoch	Three of Birmingham's pioneer industrialists.

Greswold Park Hotel

Location	About 5-10 miles out towards Solihul.  Main bus routes.	Map
Address	Greswold Park Hotel 980 Warwick Road, Acocks Green, B27 0121 706 4068
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Edmond Court Foyer

Location	About 1 - 2 miles out to east.  Near Birmingham City football ground	Map
Address	Edmond Court Foyer 355 Bolton Road, B10 0121 753 2984
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Shanahans

Location	About 1 - 2 miles out to east.	Map
Address	Shanahans 127 Rocky Lane, B7 0121 333 6787
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Prime Lodge

Location	About 1 - 2 miles out to east on main bus route.	Map
Address	Prime Lodge Nechells Parkway, B7 0121 333 6088
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Park Hotel

Location	More than 5  miles out, north side.	Map
Address	Park Hotel 131 Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, B42 0121 356 0707
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Kettlewell Guest House

Location	More than 5  miles out, airport side, on rail route.	Map
Address	Kettlewell Guest House 25 Kettlewell Way, B37 0121 603 2247
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Jacey's

Location	Just south of City Centre.	Map
Address	Jacey's 14 Wheeley's Road, B15 0121 440 3702
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Charde Guest House

Location	More than 5  miles out, airport side, on rail route.	Map
Address	Charde Guest House 289 Mackadown Lane, B33 0121 785 2145
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Britannia Hotel Birmingham

Location	City Centre.	Map
Address	Britannia Hotel Birmingham 6 Union Passage, New Street, B1 0121 631 3131
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Comment on Bus Routes

BUS ROUTES
General	The Centro web site is the main gateway for transport information for Birmingham and the Black Country. Bus route maps are on the Network West Midlands site. Birmingham has a number of "Showcase" bus routes radiating out from the City Centre.  These routes have the main investment in both bus stops and vehicles.  There is a network of routes covering all areas.	Map
Inner and Outer Circle	The No. 8 bus route is the main Inner Circle route, just outside the Middleway. The No. 11 bus route is the Outer Circle, which intersects the radial bus routes at a radius of from 2 to 6 miles
Bus companies	Most routes are served by Travel West Midlands, a subsidiary of National Express, and the main service at bus stops throughout Birmingham and the Black Country. There are also a number of other bus companies, which provide a useful service.
Comment	When looking for hotels suitable for City Centre conferences, it is best to use those close to a showcase bus route.  For example, the Hagley Road, which has one of the largest concentrations of hotels outside the City Centre.

Hollyfield Guest House

Location	About 3  miles out, near Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Hollyfield Guest House 74 Stanmore Road, B16 0121 4201213
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Edgbaston Palace Hotel

Location	About 2  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Edgbaston Palace Hotel 198-200 Hagley Road, B16 0121 452 1577
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Sir Charles Napier

Location	City Centre.	Map
Address	Sir Charles Napier 210 Gooch Street, B5 0121 622 1412
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Villanova Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, on main bus routes to West Bromwich.	Map
Address	Villanova Hotel 2 Grove Hill Road, Handsworth, B21 0121 523 7787 / 551 1139
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Princess Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, near Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Princess Hotel 3 Stanmore Road, B16 0121 434 3999
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Prince Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, near Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Prince Hotel 4 Stanmore Road, B16 0121 429 2598
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Smithy's Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Smithy's Hotel 415-417 Hagley Road, B17 0121 420 1123
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Knowle Lodge Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Knowle Lodge Hotel 423 Hagley Road, B17 0121 429 8366
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

The Grove Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	The Grove Hotel 409 Hagley Road, B17 0121 429 2502
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

The Belmont Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	The Belmont Hotel 419-421 Hagley Road, B17 0121 429 1663
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Portland Hotel

Location	About 2  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Portland Hotel 313 Hagley Road, B16 0121 455 0535
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

The Plough & Harrow

Location	About 1  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	The Plough & Harrow Hotel 135 Hagley Road, B16 0121 454 4111
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

The Norfolk Hotel

Location	About 2  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	The Norfolk Hotel 202 Hagley Road, B16 0121 454 8071
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Menzies Strathallen Hotel

Location	About 2  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Menzies Strathallen Hotel 225 Hagley Road, B16 0870 333 9127
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

The Hagley Court Hotel

Location	About 2  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	The Hagley Court Hotel 229 Hagley Road, B16 0121 4546514
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Fountain COurt Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Fountain Court Hotel 343 Hagley Road, B17 0121 429 1754
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Eaton Hotel

Location	About 2  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Eaton Hotel 277-270 Hagley Road, B16 0121 454 3311
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Cavalier House Hotel

Location	About 2  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Cavalier House Hotel 202 Hagley Road, B16 0121 452 5922
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Bailey Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Bailey Hotel 21 Sandon Road Road, B16 0121 434 5700
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Astoria

Location	About 2  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Astoria 311 Hagley Road, B16 0121 454 0795
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

Asquith House

Location	About 3  miles out, close to Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Asquith House 19 Portland Road, B16 9HR 0121 454 5282
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Full in early October

The Apollo Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	The Apollo Hotel 243-7 Hagley Road, B16 9RA 0121 455 0271
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Fully booked in early October

Woodlands Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, on Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Woodlands Hotel 379 Hagley Road, B17 0121 420 2341
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Fully booked for 2010

Westbourne Lodge Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, close to Hagley Road "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Westbourne Lodge Hotel 27-31 Fountain Road, B17 0121 429 1003
Prices Per room ( 2010)
Comment	Information from telephone directory only.

The Brighton Hotel

Location	About 3  miles out, on No 50 bus route (frequent service to City Centre).	Map
Address	Ladypool Road, B12 8LB 0121 449 3902 enquiries@thebrightonarms.com
Prices Per room (Sept 2010)	Twin room per person, includes evening meal.	£22:50
Comment	Situated at the corner of Brighton Road and Ladypool Road almost fully booked for October

Bearwood Court Hotel

Location	About 4  miles out, between Bearwood and Cape Hill, on No 82 bus routes.	Map
Address	Bearwood Court Hotel 360 - 366 Bearwood Road, Edgbaston, B66 4ET 0121 429 9731
Prices Per room (notice board, August 2010)	Single en-suite Double / Twin en-suite	£40 £50
Comment	Linked with The Royal Hotel, Walsall, WS1 2EL (01922) 62 45 55

Bearwood, Hotel Dinara

Location	About 4  miles out, between Bearwood and Cape Hill, on No 82 bus routes.	Map
Address	Hotel Dinara 344 Bearwood Road, Edgbaston, B66 4ES 0121 429 2299 dinarahotel@hotmail.co.uk
Prices Per room (by phone, August 2010)	Single Double / Twin	£25 £45
Comment	My sister-in-law stayed here 5 years ago and thought it good for the price.

Guide to information

GENERAL INFORMATION GUIDE
NOTE	There is an exhibition on at the NEC in early October, so many hotels are fully booked. They may have cancellations, but be prepared for disappointment.
Location	Approximate distance from the ICC (Conference location), Centenary Square.Bus route information is a summary. Transport - Party Conference delegates can collect a Centro travel pass from the Centro stand within the secure area. This covers buses and Metro, and is the best option for travel during Conference.	Map
Address	Hotel address Hotel reception phone number e-mail address (if available)
Prices Per room	Range of rooms Single / Twin / Double / en suite options. Normally Bed and Breakfast - check when booking.	£?? Prices quoted if to hand.
Comment	For most hotels I will have no additional comments. At the 2008 Conference, I met people who wished they could have found more economical hotels. This blog is my answer to their comments.

Note - Blogger HTML does not work quite like standard web page HTML, so some of the layout in these tables does not look as I intend it to.

Hagley Road - Dormy Hotel and Carvery

Location	About 3  miles out, near Bearwood (bus route interchange), on "Showcase" bus routes.	Map
Address	Dormy Hotel and Carvery 304 - 306 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, B17 8DJ 0121 429 4455 dormyhotel@hotmail.co.uk
Prices Per room (from standard leaflet, August 2010)	Small single room Standard single room Single room with shower Double / Twin room Double / Twin room with shower Double en-suite Triple room	£22 £24 £27 £38 £42 £50 £52
Comment	This is one hotel which I visit regularly for the Carvery Restaurant.  £4:25 (August 2010).  A good presentation with table-cloths etc unlike most pub carveries.  The roast beef is cooked slowly, overnight, and I think it is worth trying.  (I have not stayed here, so I can't comment on the rooms.)

What this is about

WHAT THIS IS ABOUT
This blog is about	helping visitors to events in Birmingham, such as The Conservative Party Conference in October 2010, to find more affordable hotels. When I was at the Conference in 2008, I met people who did not have the contacts to find the more economical hotels. That's when I had the idea of posting something on the web to tell people about some of the hotels which are more affordable. Of course, the information is the same for other events, and not only the Conservative Conference.	Map
Birmingham	is a very convenient starting point for a lot of tourist places around the Midlands and further afield
Disclaimer.	Since I live in Birmingham, I have not stayed in these hotels.  I cannot vouch for quality from my own experience.  So this information is given without any guarantees. I hope someone will find this site useful.
Hotel owners	Please send in your information, since I can't get around to all the hotels in Birmingham.