The Saltley Inn

The hotel is primarily known for its lively bar atmosphere and entertainment, which serves as a central hub for guests. This establishment often attracts budget-conscious travelers, concert-goers, and football fans seeking an affordable base for short stays. Many guests appreciate the efforts of the new management to improve the overall experience, often noting a friendly and welcoming approach that aims to make visitors feel at home. While some find the accommodations basic but functional, others highlight significant issues with room condition and cleanliness, indicating a mixed guest experience. The hotel's social environment, with features like bingo and karaoke, appeals to those looking for a vibrant stay. However, potential guests should be prepared for considerable noise, especially from evening events, and be aware that on-site parking is extremely limited, often requiring street parking in the surrounding area. This hotel is best suited for groups or solo travelers prioritizing affordability and a social setting over luxury amenities.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's main communal feature is its bar, which frequently hosts entertainment such as bingo and karaoke, creating a social atmosphere for guests. Many reviews highlight the availability of a pool table and darts board within the bar area, providing additional recreational options. While the hotel offers free Wi-Fi, its reliability is not consistently praised. Guests frequently note the absence of basic in-room amenities such as a kettle, tea/coffee making facilities, and air conditioning, which can impact comfort, especially during warmer periods. Heating in rooms is also a recurring concern, with some guests reporting issues with radiators not working effectively. The overall impression of facilities is that they are basic and functional, primarily centered around the bar.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room cleanliness and comfort is highly mixed. While some guests report clean sheets and towels, many others describe rooms as dirty, with issues like hairs in the shower, rubbish in drawers, stained carpets, and even mould on walls and windows. The overall room condition is frequently described as tatty, outdated, or in need of TLC, with instances of peeling wallpaper, holes in walls, and broken furniture. Bed comfort is a significant concern for many, with numerous complaints about uncomfortable mattresses, springs poking through, and thin, lumpy pillows leading to restless nights. Noise is a pervasive issue, with guests reporting shouting and banging doors in the early hours, and thin walls allowing noise from other rooms and the street to easily penetrate, severely impacting sleep quality. In-room amenities are often lacking, with no bin, tea/coffee facilities, or working TV remotes being common complaints.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining options primarily revolve around its bar, which occasionally serves food. While some guests mention enjoying an evening meal or finding the bar food to be good value, feedback on the availability and quality of meals is inconsistent. Breakfast is a recurring topic, with some guests finding it acceptable and plentiful, though others report issues with its availability, timing, or quality, such as undercooked or overcooked items. There are also instances where guests were informed that no food was being served at all, or that breakfast needed to be pre-ordered, which was not always clearly communicated. The overall impression is that dining is a secondary offering, with limited options and variable execution, making it less of a highlight for guests.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is described as reasonably central, offering easy access to the city center via a nearby bus stop, with travel times typically around 10-15 minutes. It is considered convenient for visiting specific landmarks like the Bullring and Aston Villa FC. However, the surrounding area receives frequent negative comments, often described as rough, dodgy, or uninviting, with some guests feeling unsafe, particularly at night. Parking is a major and consistent point of contention. The advertised on-site parking is severely limited, often accommodating only a couple of cars, leading to guests being blocked in. Many resort to street parking on nearby residential roads, which can be challenging due to hills, limited spaces, and concerns about vehicle safety. The lack of secure or adequate parking significantly impacts the guest experience.

Staff & Service
Feedback on staff and service is notably mixed, with many guests praising the friendly staff and the efforts of the new management to be helpful and accommodating. Numerous reviews highlight instances of staff going out of their way to assist guests, resolve issues, and create a welcoming atmosphere, particularly at the bar. The check-in process is described as easy by some, though others report long waits or confusion due to no one being at the reception desk. Conversely, a significant number of guests recount experiences with unhelpful or disinterested staff, particularly regarding issues like room problems or check-out procedures. Some guests also mention difficulties with the return of cash deposits, indicating inconsistencies in service delivery. Overall, while many appreciate the positive interactions, the service quality can be inconsistent.

Additional Information
A recurring and highly disruptive issue for guests is the presence of loud parties and events held in the downstairs bar, which often continue into the early hours of the morning, sometimes until 3 AM or later. This results in blaring music and vibrations that can be felt throughout the building, making it nearly impossible for guests to sleep. Many reviews highlight significant security concerns, including reports of unlocked back entrances, suspicious individuals attempting to gain entry, and a general feeling of unsafety in the hotel and its immediate surroundings. Guests are often required to pay a cash deposit upon check-in, which has led to complications and delays in refunds for some. Furthermore, there is a general lack of room service or cleaning during stays, and guests often find no staff available for early morning check-outs, leading to confusion about key returns.