Radisson Birmingham          (Reviews)

When the Radisson SAS came to town, its 37-storey blue crystalline structure immediately splashed colour onto the grey vicinity of Birmingham’s Holloway Circus.
Sat Bal checked in and took a view.  (15 Aug '08)

The hotel’s imposing glass exterior opens to a cosmopolitan interior of Nordic efficiency where guests are checked in. Behind the reception area lies the Lobby Bar area strewn with deep, leather chairs where Mojitos can be sipped in the chocolate beige ambience while Birmingham traffic does its thing outside this glass and leather cocoon.

The Lobby Bar doubles as a place to  start the day with fresh coffee and collect a "grab and go" breakfast.
It also sets the scene for working lunches and business meets. 

In this context, the location of the hotel cannot be overstated, lying as it does just minutes away from the city's financial area, the International Convention Centre and a three-minute walk away from New Street train station. Business or leisure guests alike will appreciate being within walking distance of the Mailbox, Selfridges and Bullring Shopping complexes.

The Radisson offers a complex of 211 rooms which includes seven suites and the flagship 1820 Presidential Suite. The rooms answer to the descriptions “Chic” “Fashion” and “Fresh” and behind these descriptions lie a range of styles that run from classic to contemporary and risqué.

The design work was led by Italian designers Matteo Thun and Partners whose clients include Hugo Boss, Porsche and Swarovsky. The design lets the floor-to-ceiling windows bounce ample light around the rooms, amplifying the Fresh to Chic decor, while at night the cleverly positioned lighting brings to the fore an altogether different ambience. Floor-to-ceiling stone columns are imposing rather than intrusive.

Corporate guests with laptops in tow will be pleased to know that Radisson Birmingham offers complimentary Broadband through its E@sy Connect Service Concept to all residential guests. For family guests connection of a different kind is offered via the interconnecting rooms.


The rooms

The Fashion Rooms lead with comfort and offer indulgent accessories right down to the tailor-made Missoni cushions. The Chic Rooms strike a more classic balance stylistically while retaining high-end materials to give a timeless finish. A provocateur air permeates  the Fresh Rooms, inciting guests to switch off in an unconventional, glamorous space  where being different is the challenge. The rooms' gold and crystal trimmings invite guests who seek a more laid-back hedonism in their hotel stay- Fresh, indeed!

Radisson's "Business Class" rooms are finished in Chic, Fashion and Fresh room styles. Its superior edge incorporates touches such as a Super Breakfast Buffet, unlimited complimentary use of in-house movies and a Nespresso Machine. RedKarpet's tip is for guests to take a corner room for fetching night-time vista of the metropolis below city and a memorable hotel experience.

Radisson's "Stylish Suites scale the upper heights of the hotel and come furnished in Chic style. They feature king-size beds, upgraded toiletries and a "Super Breakfast Buffet" as well as superior space and views of the city.

The addition of a large Plasma Screen LCD TV, Bose IPOD dock, stereo and a  living room in which to unwind, makes these suites popular with corporate or leisure guests who are looking for more from their hotel stays.

Riding at the apex of the superior category is  the 1820 Presidential Suite. Radisson Birmingham bills this as a space "that can only be described as the best suite in town." It has a point.  Guests are cossetted in luxury in a suite that has a master bedroom with a spacious bathroom featuring a free standing bathtub.

A living and dining room, a small kitchenette and state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen Audio Visual equipment all add to the exclusive air of the 1820.

Venue vitals

Filini Restaurant & Bar
Filini is match stick thin pasta and it's also an innovative philosophy drawn from the culinary world. The concept, designed by Roy Ackerman, is based on the hallmarks of simplicity and authenticity in creating delicious food. The flavours are inspired by contemporary Italian cuisine and translate into the finest dining at Radisson whether diners opt for Filini's Super Buffet Breakfast,`a la carte lunches or dinners.

We recommend that the dining experience is merged with the Filini Bar whose bespoke seating style opens the options to a circa bespoke wine list drawn from around the globe.



Health Club
Residential Guests get full use of all of the fitness and leisure facilities on the 18th floor Health Club which comprises the a well-equipped gym and sauna. The Obsession Spa offers all-over pampering with the Day Spa featuring three treatment rooms including a  double treatment suite which gives panoramic views of Birmingham city centre. Bespoke treatments tailored to guests' time constraints and needs take place in the Comfort zone where the menu encompasses luxury, express and holistic sessions.


Car parking
If there's one chink in this venue's armour it's the route to its car park. While the car park is adjacent to the hotel the walking route to it is distinctly "back alley" and could repel lone female drivers, particularly at night. However, in mitigation, Radisson does offer a chargeable valet parking option which neatly cuts out the hassle.

Event organisers and meetings planners

The second and third floors of the hotel are dedicated to meeting and events in a space totalling approx 366m². There are 10 fully equipped meeting rooms spread over 342 sq metres. The space accommodates meetings, exhibitions or conferences.

At a glance

• Main event room - The Lunar Suite is approx 108 sq metres and can be divided into three smaller rooms
• Full audiovisual facilities
• Wireless Broadband and high-speed Internet access available
• Fully-equipped Business Centre with dedicated host offering
the ideal environment for your conference or special event.
• Customised menus from our experienced chefs
• Dedicated Meetings & Events Coordinator
• Maximum capacity for up to 130 delegates theatre style
• Maximum capacity for up to 88 delegates banquet style

RK  _________________________________________