Boutique hotels in Birmingham | take a city break with charm

If you like your boutique hotels to have plenty of vintage character, Birmingham’s Hotel du Vin & Bistro won’t disappoint. Not only is it nestled deep in Birmingham’s refined Jewellery Quarter (labelled a ‘national treasure’ by English Heritage), but it was built in 1884, with elaborate decoration to match. Its staunchly Victorian, dollhouse-esque exterior instantly conjures a sense of grandeur and intrigue.

This atmosphere continues inside with elegant rooms decorated in rich, dark hues. Every aspect is designed to enhance your comfort, from the fine Egyptian linen sheets to the cascading monsoon showers. Choose a room with a luxuriously deep, roll-top bath and cocoon yourself in bubbles – why not have a coordinating glass of prosecco while you relax? Once refreshed, head down to dinner. Hotel du Vin’s bistro serves Gallic cuisine with a decidedly British feel – think classic French dishes with a home-cooked sensibility, created from fresh, seasonal produce. If you’d like to dine al-fresco, take a seat outdoors in the bistro’s quaint courtyard, with its rustic wicker chairs and delicate floral touches.

Unwind after your cross-Channel culinary exploration with a visit to the Spa du Vin. Each serene treatment room dances with the light of flickering candles and is lightly scented with organic ESPA products. Relieve tension in your muscles with a massage, unveil healthy skin with a scrub or wrap, or treat yourself to a rejuvenating facial.

Revel in the independence of your own space at the Staying Cool serviced apartments. These aptly named havens offer spacious open plan living and directional interiors, furnished with pieces by world-renowned designers. There’s a swinging 60s flavour here, manifesting in Pop Art bright fabrics, low-level furniture and images of Twiggy-style models adorning the walls. Floor-to-ceiling windows on the upper floors provide panoramic views over the Birmingham cityscape. In the Clubman Olympian apartment, you can experience a blend of indoor and outdoor living, thanks to the expansive private terrace leading from the lounge.

It’s all of the thoughtful details that really make these apartments special. Espresso machines provide the consummate cup of rich coffee every morning – sip it on your chic wrap-around balcony. The innovative Poggenpohl kitchen with sleek appliances and breakfast supplies is the ideal place to whip up meals throughout your stay like spaghetti carbonara or Spanish omelette. There’s also memory foam mattresses and blackout blinds to help you get a deep, restorative night’s sleep.

The 35 apartments are housed within the cylindrical, Grade II listed Rotunda Building, providing a quiet sanctuary within the very centre of Birmingham. You’ll be within walking distance of Birmingham’s premier shopping destination, Bullring & Grand Central (a minute away) as well as the world-class Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which is well known for its extensive collection of pre-Raphaelite art.

Calm, minimalist and achingly chic – no one could blame you for taking interior design tips from the serviced apartments and public spaces at Birmingham Staycity. If you’re looking for a serene oasis from which to plan your daily explorations, this boutique hotel is ideal.

Speaking of exploring, you’re ideally placed to discover Birmingham at Staycity’s location in Newhall Square. Start your day by heading to the Think Tank, Birmingham’s Science Museum, which houses a WWII Spitfire, an awe-inspiring planetarium and a series of interactive machines telling the story of the Birmingham industrial revolution. Next, take a stroll to the Bull Ring, Birmingham’s commercial centre, which has been integral to the city’s trade since the Middle Ages. Sip on a barista-made coffee as you browse independent clothing and homeware boutiques, and, of course, don’t miss the iconic bull statue.

A winning combination of soft grey and sunshine yellow hues defines the 170 apartments at Newhall Square, while the contemporary furniture adds a subtle industrial-inspired edge. There are several room options to choose from, sleeping between four and six people, making this a great place to stay for families or groups of friends. Modern dining tables with quirkily mismatched chairs offer an inviting spot to drink and dine before you head out into the city. On days you don’t feel like cooking, visit the hotel’s social StayCafé, which painted in an atmospheric midnight blue and adorned with naked filament bulbs.

A sense of old-world charm permeates every aspect of the Macdonald Burlington Hotel. It enjoys a prestigious location in a Victorian building on New Street, and this refinement continues inside, from the atmospheric, wood-panelled lobby, to the huge arched windows and decadent crystal chandeliers in the restaurant.

Rooms at the Macdonald Burlington follow suit, though you’ll find modern touches blended in with the period features, like leather headboards and abstract artwork. Go for all-out grandeur with a suite featuring a four-poster bed and inviting roll-top bath. Each of the 112 rooms has its own distinctive characteristics, but high ceilings and lush fabrics lend all of them a sense of luxury. Hydrate with spring water on tap, treat yourself to a bath with Elemis toiletries, and treat yourself to complimentary chocolates while relaxing on your king-size bed.

Or perhaps you’ll save yourself for dinner, because the hotel’s Scottish Steak Club Restaurant is not to be missed. It specialises in classic Scottish cuisine with a contemporary twist, such as sea-reared trout given an extra kick by a Japanese miso glaze, or haggis bon bons with a tangy mustard mayonnaise made in Arran. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, why not mark it with afternoon tea? Take a seat and sample quintessentially British classics like finger sandwiches and scones with jam and Devonshire clotted cream.

Any description of The Eaton must start with mention of its distinguished silver service restaurant. The Regency crafts a fine-dining menu from local and seasonal ingredients – try one of the signature fish dishes to truly understand the meaning of fresh. Alternatively, sink your teeth into a succulent steak, flambéd to your liking tableside while you watch. Wash everything down with a fruity glass of Chianti before heading out to a show or to discover Birmingham’s bar scene.

If you’d prefer to get an early night, retreat to your bedroom, which is a cosy haven a world away from the city below. Soft, neutral hues on the walls are enhanced by comforting low lighting at your bedside. Slip into sleep between fresh white sheets, cocooned by plenty of pillows and a textured throw. Start the next morning with a complimentary herbal tea or coffee before freshening up in your en-suite bathroom.

Situated just outside of the city centre, the Eaton has a calm and exclusive feel. You’re within walking distance of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, where you can stroll around 15 pristine and lovingly maintained acres. In four glasshouses, you’ll find exotic and tropical plants from around the world. Make your next stop Cannon Hill Park, one of the city’s most scenic and popular green spaces, which offers open parkland and tranquil woods to lose yourself in.

Just like the open lobby, which features plush sofas and an airy mezzanine level, the Westmead’s 57 bedrooms are full of homely touches and warm hues, with comfortable seating offering extra places to relax. To mark an unforgettable weekend, splash out on the Westmead Suite and sit back in your roomy lounge area, or spread out on the expansive king size bed. After a rejuvenating shower using extra special complimentary toiletries, wrap up in your fluffy bathrobe and slippers and sample a few more treats from a tray of luxury refreshments.

Make the start of your holiday even sweeter with the Westmead Hotel’s British afternoon tea of fresh sandwiches, scones and macaroons – just add champagne for little extra sparkle. Alternatively, try the gentleman’s afternoon tea, which features hearty favourites such as beef and horseradish sandwiches and scotch egg, accompanied by a pint of ale. You’ll dine under the glass roof of Blake’s Restaurant, where you can also try a sublime slice of pizza, cooked in an authentic, wood-fired Sicilian pizza oven.

Wander through to the bar to top off your meal with one of Blake’s signature cocktails, made to order with the freshest ingredients by expert mixologists. The focus here is on creating the ultimate in classic cocktails alongside drinks with an unexpected twist, like fruity, gin-based concoctions combined with glossy, creamy egg white.