- Royal Square Hotel: Your NEC & Birmingham Airport Haven!
- Royal Square Hotel: My Neck-of-the-Woods… (Or Was I Just Passing Through?) - A Brutally Honest Review
- Royal Square Hotel: Your NEC & Birmingham Airport Adventure... Hopefully! (FAQ - Kinda)
- Okay, seriously, is this place *actually* a haven? Or just… functional?
- How CLOSE are we talking to the NEC and the airport? Because "close" is relative.
- What are the rooms like? Are we talking prison chic or… less depressing?
- Breakfast: A buffet of dreams, or a culinary nightmare? And what about other meals?
- What about the staff? Are they helpful, or do they actively try to avoid eye contact?
- Is the Wi-Fi at least… usable? Because, you know, internet is kind of important in this day and age.
- Are there any hidden fees or gotchas I should know about?
- So, the million-dollar question: Would you recommend it? And more importantly, would *you* stay there again?
Royal Square Hotel: Your NEC & Birmingham Airport Haven!
Royal Square Hotel: My Neck-of-the-Woods… (Or Was I Just Passing Through?) - A Brutally Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a flood of opinions about the Royal Square Hotel, self-proclaimed haven near the NEC and Birmingham Airport. I stayed there recently, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. Prepare for a review that’s less "hotel brochure" and more "friend oversharing after a few too many glasses of wine." Let's dive in, shall we? (SEO & Metadata - just in case Google's lurking… and it probably is!)
- Keywords: Royal Square Hotel, Birmingham Airport hotels, NEC hotels, accessible hotel, Birmingham hotels, spa hotel, fitness center, free wifi, breakfast buffet, hotel review, UK hotels, accessible rooms, family-friendly hotel, business hotel, airport transfer
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Accessibility: Navigating the Labyrinth (and Hoping Your Wheels Don't Get Stuck)
Alright, let's get this out of the way first: accessibility. Because frankly, it’s 2024, and “accessible” shouldn't be a feature, it should be a bloody given. The Royal Square boasts facilities for disabled guests, and I’m happy to report…it was passable. Think of it less as a smoothly paved road and more of a somewhat bumpy, but navigable, gravel track. Wheelchair accessible in the public areas, yes, but I always had to keep in mind the ramps and the occasional tight corners. I didn't have a chance to check the rooms because I wasn't there for accessibility (more on the room experiences later). But the elevator - that's a must-have - functioned alright. I saw that there were facilities disabled guests too, so that's a major plus.
Internet Access: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi, Everywhere… Except When You Need It
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" the website shouts. And, blessedly, the shouting wasn’t a complete lie. The Internet was there, eventually. But, and here's the kicker, the speed…oh, the speed. It was like trying to run a marathon with a parachute strapped to your back. I managed to get some work done, but I spent a good chunk of time staring at loading screens.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax, & the All-Important "Spa"
This is where things get… interesting. This hotel wants to be a resort. They aspire to luxury. The Sauna was great; it was exactly what I wanted. Now, the Spa/sauna was a really nice experience. The Swimming pool was good too, and the Pool with view was better. And, finally, I got a Massage. I'm not sure I can describe everything, it was really nice. But, here’s my advice – go in with realistic expectations and a sense of humor. The Fitness center was available, but it wasn't like a boutique gym.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized, or Slightly Sanitized?
Post-pandemic, cleanliness is everything, am I right? The Royal Square claims to prioritize hygiene. They highlight Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. And, from what I could see, they're making an effort. Hand sanitizer dispensers were plentiful, staff were masked, and tables were wiped down diligently. That being said, I like the Hand sanitizer. I can't deny the dedication put forth, but… I’m a bit skeptical, and a bit weary due to experience.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Or Just a Very Large Sandwich)
Ah, the food. This is where the Royal Square gets truly memorable. The Breakfast [buffet]… oh, the breakfast buffet. It was the kind of buffet that offers something for everyone and yet somehow manages to leave you feeling vaguely unsatisfied. They had everything from Asian breakfast options to the usual Western breakfast, with a side of lukewarm scrambled eggs. They had Coffee/tea in restaurant facilities, with some Salad in restaurant and Soup in restaurant. It was all there, but it didn't exactly sing. The Restaurants were decent as well. The Happy hour was fun. I liked the Poolside bar, too. The Snack bar was also good, but a bit over priced.
Services and Conveniences: From Concierge to… Well, More Concierge
The Royal Square offers a plethora of services. Concierge was available for most things, so I consider that a win. Daily housekeeping was a godsend, especially after a few days of travel.
For the Kids: Child-Friendly…ish
The Royal Square says it welcomes families. There were Kids facilities. But I'm not sure it's the friendliest hotel in town.
Rooms: A Tale of Two… Uh… One Room, Really
Now, about my room. It wasn't a bad room, mind you. It had Air conditioning, a Desk for working, a Coffee/tea maker (essential!), and the all-important Free Wi-Fi, even if it was a bit… slow. The Blackout curtains did their job, which was a blessing.
Getting Around: Airport Transfer & Parking Perks
The Airport transfer was great – punctual, comfortable, and a welcome relief after a long flight. They also had Car park [free of charge], which is always a plus in my book.
The Overall Verdict:
The Royal Square Hotel is… an interesting experience. It's not perfect. But if you’re looking for a convenient base near the NEC or Birmingham Airport, and you’re not expecting Michelin-star cuisine or five-star luxury, it’s perfectly acceptable. It's a solid, if slightly uneven, choice, offering a range of amenities, and a decent level of service. Just go in with the right expectations and a sense of adventure! I went home, and I'm still thinking about that breakfast buffet.
Unbelievable KLCC Views! Luxury Mercu Summer Suite Awaits
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your grandma's perfectly-pressed itinerary. This is real – the kind of travel that leaves you with a story, a slightly rumpled shirt, and maybe a misplaced sock. Here we go: My Birmingham adventure from the Royal Square Hotel to… well, mostly the Birmingham Airport. Let's be honest, that's the centerpiece.
Day 1: Royal Square Hotel - NEC, AKA "The Waiting Game"
- 14:00 - Arrive at Royal Square Hotel: Okay, let's be brutally honest. Finding the hotel was a mission. My GPS, Bless its circuits, thought "NEC" meant "National Empty Carousel" and sent me on a scenic tour of a roundabout three times before mercifully correcting itself. Finally, though, I arrive, slightly flustered, sweat beading on my brow and a vague sense of "what have I gotten myself into?" This square shape is the hotel is okay, not luxurious, not bad, just okay.
- 14:30 - Check-in, Unpack (More or Less): The staff at the reception – bless them – are coping, definitely understaffed, but smiling. I fumble with my bags, tripping over my own feet (a recurring theme in my life) and try to get situated. The room? Standard, a bit like an Ikea showroom if the theme was "beige". But you know what? It has a bed. And after the roundabout ordeal, that's all that matters. I unpack, sort of. My "organization" skills are legendary for their haphazardness. Let's just say my suitcase resembles an exploded sock bomb.
- 15:00 - Exploration of the NEC… or, Attempt Thereof: The NEC is vast. Like, really vast. I wander around, feeling dwarfed. I see the first convention of the day, a gathering of people passionate about… well, I honestly couldn't tell you, but they looked intensely focused. I end up getting a coffee and people-watching. The sheer variety of human life is something that gets me. I find myself chuckling at weird things, and feel the pull of the world.
- 18:00 - Dinner at the Hotel Restaurant (aka "The Culinary Minefield"): I try the hotel restaurant. The menu? It's got everything, which usually means it does nothing particularly well. I order the… well, let's just say the "chef's special" was less special, more "slightly-overcooked-and-forgettable". My stomach is a little upset, but the waiter is kind, and that counts for something. He's got this incredible, wry sense of humor that brightens my evening.
- 19:30 - Evening in the bar: I spend some time in the bar and drink the most expensive beer I have ever had, but I sit there and get to know some very different people. I find myself chatting with fellow travelers. One guy is hilarious, telling stories about his disastrous attempt at a self-guided tour of Italy. I am laughing harder than I have in weeks. This is the good stuff.
- 21:00 - Bed: Bed! Hallelujah! My feet hurt, my brain is buzzing with new experiences, and I'm utterly exhausted. But in a good way.
Day 2: The Birmingham Airport Saga
- 07:00 - Wake Up, Regret Decisions (Or at Least One Very Late-Night Sandwich): I wake up. My stomach grumbles a little, but I eat the last of my biscuits. I'm always a bit of a mess in the mornings, a walking, talking embodiment of chaos.
- 08:00 - Breakfast (The second culinary minefield): I head down for the hotel breakfast. Buffet style, of course. I grab some eggs, some toast, and some sausages that look a little…questionable. I am glad of the food, and sit in a chair, looking out at the start of a new day.
- 09:00 - Check out and departure: Check out of the hotel is painless. The staff are friendly once again, and I give them an extra big tip for all the work they do, especially the receptionists who smiled at me. I say goodbye and head for the airport.
- 10:00 - Taxi to Birmingham Airport: I grab a taxi, and the driver is a chatty guy. He's a lifetime local, and tells me about how much the city has changed. He is a great taxi driver. I arrive at the airport.
- 10:30 - Airport shenanigans: Navigating the airport is… well, it's what you'd expect. Long queues, security fiascos (I managed to set off the metal detector, naturally). The constant drone of planes, the hurried pace, the air of nervous anticipation… it's all part of the experience. It is a symphony of stress, really.
- 11:00 - Discover food is expensive: I find a small cafe. I order a coffee and start the wait through a coffee that cost more than my meal.
- 12:00 - Boarding & Departure: Finally, the glorious moment arrives: boarding! I find my gate. I sit down, and breathe. Finally, I'm off.
Quirky Observations and Stream-of-Consciousness Ramble:
- The British are wonderfully polite. Sometimes too polite. Like, I'm pretty sure a bus could have run me over, and someone would've still apologized to me.
- I'm pretty sure I saw a woman wearing a hat that was also a teapot. Or maybe I dreamt that. Travel does that to you.
- I miss my own bed. A lot. And my dog, who is probably currently terrorizing the mailman.
- Birmingham felt like a real city. No pretense, just… life. A good thing.
Final Thoughts (aka, What I Learned):
This trip? It wasn't perfect. It was probably a bit of a mess, really. But, you know what? It was mine. And that's what matters. The food was sometimes awful, the directions were always wrong. But I saw something, I felt something, and I lived through something. And that, my friends, is more than enough. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find a decent sandwich.
Escape to Paradise: Jeju's Kkothyanggi Badasori Pension Awaits!
Royal Square Hotel: Your NEC & Birmingham Airport Adventure... Hopefully! (FAQ - Kinda)
Okay, seriously, is this place *actually* a haven? Or just… functional?
Look, let's be honest, you're probably here because you're going to the NEC or you've got a flight that's trying to swallow you whole at Birmingham Airport. A "haven" is a strong word. It's definitely not a 5-star resort (believe me, I've seen the state of the shower curtain – more on that later). Think of it more like… a slightly-less-stressful pit stop before you face the crowds/delayed flights/massive exhibition halls of doom.
Honestly? I've stayed here twice now – once for a conference, once for (brace yourself) an *early* morning flight after a stag do. Let's just say the haven-ness varied wildly depending on my hydration levels the previous night. But generally? It's… fine. It gets the job done. And that's something, right?
How CLOSE are we talking to the NEC and the airport? Because "close" is relative.
Alright, real talk. It's REALLY close. Like, "stumble out of your Uber, practically roll through the lobby" close to the NEC. The airport? Still close, but allow a teensy bit more time. They *say* it's a short taxi ride. I took a taxi last time and it took literally five minutes. FIVE! I think I got out of the cab and was at the terminal before my eyes adjusted to the daylight. Don't quote me on exact distances because my internal GPS is a disaster, but trust me, you won't be spending hours getting there. Unless you have a truly abysmal taxi driver. Which, let’s face it, is always a possibility.
What are the rooms like? Are we talking prison chic or… less depressing?
Okay, deep breaths. The rooms... are rooms. They’re clean-ish. They have beds. They have *usually* have a TV. You know, the basics. The decor… well, let’s just say I’ve seen more exciting paint choices. Think… muted beige. With occasional pops of… slightly brighter beige. (I swear, I think one of the lampshades was actually a shade darker than the walls).
My first stay? I got a room with a view that... overlooked a car park. Glamorous, I know. My second stay was slightly less depressing. But the bathroom? Okay, brace yourself: The shower curtain. It had seen things. It was clinging on for dear life. It reminded me a little bit of a… a sad, weary, slightly moldy… old friend. I'm not going to lie; I was a little afraid to get too close. But look, the water was hot. And that's often all that matters after a long day at the NEC.
Breakfast: A buffet of dreams, or a culinary nightmare? And what about other meals?
Breakfast... is included. Which is good. It's important for energy, obviously. Expect the usual suspects: toast, cereal, the slightly-too-dry scrambled eggs. There's a "full English," which will probably hit the spot after a hard night (or a hard day of wandering around the NEC). There's also some fruit. Don’t expect gourmet. Do expect adequate sustenance.
Other meals? There's a restaurant and a bar. The restaurant is… serviceable. The bar is... well, the bar is a bar. I would strongly recommend looking around for nearby dining. I once had a truly dire microwaved lasagne there, and I still have the image seared into my memory. If you’re like me, get out there and explore! Don't repeat my mistake.
What about the staff? Are they helpful, or do they actively try to avoid eye contact?
The staff... they're generally fine. Not exceptionally warm and fuzzy, but perfectly polite. They get the job done without (usually) causing major problems. I’ve never had a negative experience, but I'm also not sure I'd describe them as particularly memorable. They are definitely better with early flight check-ins than late night stag party check-ins! That’s all I’m saying. Just be nice back, and you should be fine. Maybe smile. A little.
Is the Wi-Fi at least… usable? Because, you know, internet is kind of important in this day and age.
Ah, the Wi-Fi. Let’s just say it's been… variable in its performance. Sometimes it's blazing fast. Other times… well, picture dial-up in the early 2000s. Don't count on streaming HD movies, okay? You might be able to do the essentials (check emails, browse the web), but prepare for occasional… frustrations. My advice? Download your entertainment beforehand. Or, you know, actually talk to the people you're travelling with. Crazy, I know!
Are there any hidden fees or gotchas I should know about?
Check your bill. Honestly, just check it. I have the memory of a goldfish, but I *think* there were some parking charges that I'd forgotten about. Read the small print. Don't be like me and get surprised!
So, the million-dollar question: Would you recommend it? And more importantly, would *you* stay there again?
Okay, here's the brutally honest truth. Would I recommend it? Yeah, probably. If you’re going to the NEC or need a Birmingham Airport pit stop and you want convenience over luxury — it’s a solid choice. It’s not going to blow your mind. But it won’t ruin your trip either.
Would *I* stay there again? Yes. Probably. (See "early morning flight after stag do" anecdote above.) It’s convenient. That's the main thing. I’m not looking for a romantic getaway; I’m looking for a place to crash before being herThompson Denver: Denver's Hottest Hotel? (You HAVE to See This!)
