Best places to stay in Birmingham
If you’re a first-time visitor to Birmingham, the main city centre area is a safe bet. This will put you within easy reach of the bonanza of shopping options, including the famous Bullring & Grand Central, plus two train stations (New Street and Moor Street) a short walk away. If you’re making a beeline for the city’s nightlife, then consider staying in Westside. The area has had a major facelift in recent years and is home to some of Birmingham’s biggest nightclubs. It also boasts the draw of canal-side living, with the Gas Street Basin area a great spot for al fresco dining and drinking. For a more bohemian vibe, Digbeth is a creative hub with eclectic and trendy accommodation and eateries, located just east of the city centre. Lastly, the well-known Jewellery Quarter is the perfect place to pick out a sparkly ring, but it also boasts stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture and a relaxed vibe.
Where to stay to be near the popular attractions in Birmingham
Many of Birmingham’s top attractions are found right in the city centre, including the iconic Bullring, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, and the city’s top-rated attraction according to TripAdvisor, the Back to Backs. Here, visitors can book a guided tour to explore 200 years of history in atmospheric 19th-century houses. The Westside/Convention Quarter area is ideal for cultural hotspots like the International Convention Centre, Symphony Hall, the Ikon Gallery, and the eye-catching architecture of the Library of Birmingham. Cricket fans, meanwhile, will enjoy a stay in quiet, leafy Edgbaston near the famous stadium, where there’s also a reservoir and botanical gardens for a day out in nature.
Where to stay with your family in Birmingham
The area around Old Turn Junction on the canal is a great spot to stay for families, with the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and National SEA LIFE Centre facing each other on opposite sides of the water. The canal paths are a perfect place for a family stroll, with plenty of interesting sights to point out. Alternatively, head out of the centre to the peaceful suburb of Bournville and stay near the city’s big-name family attraction, Cadbury World, a fully functioning chocolate factory with tons to do including the 4D Chocolate Adventure, Bournville Experience and African Adventure play areas.
Where to stay as a solo traveller
Solo travellers in search of a Birmingham hotel will feel right at home in Digbeth, the city’s coolest district. A stay at a hostel like Birmingham Central Backpackers provides the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded fellow travellers and explore the area’s myriad bars and restaurants, including games bar, The Floodgate and Birmingham’s oldest pub, The Old Crown (dating all the way back to 1368!). Mingle with the locals at vintage fairs and food fests, or take a couple of hours for yourself at the independent Mockingbird Cinema. It’s also just a short hop back to the Bullring if you decide that a bit of retail therapy is in order.
Where to find cheap hotels in Birmingham
If budget is your number one priority when searching for a hotel in Birmingham, look no further than easyHotel Birmingham. The no-frills rooms are available for as little as £40 a night, with the windowless option offering the maximum savings. If you’re in need of a few more amenities, though, try Square to Staycity Aparthotels in the Jewellery Quarter, where you can get an apartment with its own living area and kitchenette for as little as ~£60/night. Visiting the NEC for an event? The ibis Styles Birmingham NEC & Airport is super-convenient with its location just a 5-minute stroll away. Doubles are available for under £100 a night, and the on-site restaurant and bar will take care of any cravings. For something a little fancier, Malmaison Birmingham is an elegant boutique hotel with its own gym and spa. Get the dates right, and you can find double rooms for less than £100.
