Toby Carvery Birmingham by Innkeeper's Collection

This hotel is widely recognized for its direct attachment to a popular Toby Carvery restaurant, offering convenient dining options right on-site. Guests consistently highlight the spacious rooms, overall cleanliness, and the comfortable beds as key features contributing to a pleasant stay. The friendly staff also frequently receive praise for their helpfulness and welcoming demeanor, enhancing the guest experience. This establishment is particularly well-suited for families seeking ample space and easy access to meals, business travelers looking for a comfortable and functional overnight stay, and sightseers or event attendees benefiting from its accessible location near various local attractions and transport links. To ensure a smooth experience, guests are advised to book a table at the popular carvery in advance and be prepared for the check-in process, which often takes place at the busy bar.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides convenient free Wi-Fi throughout, ensuring guests can stay connected. A significant advantage is the ample free parking available on-site, though guests must remember to register their vehicle to avoid potential fines. While there is no traditional lift, guests should be aware that some rooms may require navigating stairs. Room amenities include tea and coffee making facilities, though some guests noted a lack of milk sachets or a fridge. The heating in rooms is adjustable, allowing guests to control the temperature, although some reported rooms being cold upon arrival. Most rooms feature a flat screen TV, typically offering basic channels without smart functionality. Access to the room areas is secured by a key fob, and a convenient night door allows guests to come and go without passing through the main restaurant.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally commend the cleanliness of the rooms, noting fresh towels and sheets provided daily. The bathrooms are often described as modern and spotless, featuring good showers. However, some guests reported minor issues such as a little dirt in the bathroom upon arrival, or instances of black mould around the shower tray and flaking paint on the bathroom ceiling. Room comfort is a mixed bag regarding beds; while many found the beds comfortable and spacious, a notable number described them as firm or even hard, impacting sleep quality for some. Pillows were also occasionally found to be flat or uncomfortable. Noise levels varied, with some guests enjoying a quiet stay, while others experienced disturbances from street noise, air conditioning units, or noise from adjacent rooms and corridors.

Dining & Food Quality
The on-site carvery restaurant is a prominent feature, with many guests praising the carvery dinner for its good value and quality, often noting that food is consistently topped up. However, feedback on breakfast is more varied. Most guests found the cooked breakfast offerings satisfactory, but some expressed disappointment with the limited breakfast variety, particularly the lack of continental options like pastries or fruit juice, which sometimes had to be specifically requested from the bar. Some also noted that the cooked items, such as bacon and mushrooms, could be greasy or dry. Drinks for breakfast are often an additional purchase, and some guests found the process of obtaining cereals or hot drinks from behind the bar inconvenient.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a convenient location for various purposes, including easy access to the motorway, the University of Birmingham, and the Sandwell Aquatic Centre. Its position on a main road means a bus stop is directly outside, offering frequent and express services into Birmingham city centre, making it ideal for those without a car. The surrounding area provides additional convenience with a parade of shops, several cafes and takeaways, and a petrol station nearby. While the location is generally praised for its accessibility, some guests found the approach to the hotel challenging depending on their direction of travel. The ample free parking is a significant draw, though guests must ensure they register their vehicle to avoid fines.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive high praise for being friendly, helpful, and attentive, often going above and beyond to assist guests. Many reviews highlight their welcoming demeanor and efficiency, even during busy periods. The check-in process, however, can be a point of contention; while some found it easy and quick, many guests reported significant waiting times due to check-in occurring at the busy bar, where staff are also serving other customers. The check-out process is generally smooth, with a convenient 12pm check-out time appreciated by many. Housekeeping is noted for daily room cleaning, though some guests experienced issues with amenities not being replenished or rooms not being fully prepared upon arrival.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel operates a 12pm check-out policy, which is a popular feature allowing for a more relaxed departure. While the hotel offers excellent value for money, some guests have reported issues with booking errors or being overcharged, which required effort to resolve. A unique feature is the night door access, allowing guests to enter and exit without passing through the main restaurant area. Some guests noted a persistent smell of cigarette smoke in certain corridors, and a few reviews mentioned a damp problem in specific rooms, which impacted their stay. It is advisable to clarify any specific room requirements or potential issues directly with the hotel upon booking to ensure a comfortable experience.