4* Crowne Plaza City Centre

The Grand brings some proper old-school glamour to central Birmingham. First opened in 1879 and beautifully restored before reopening in 2021, this landmark hotel overlooks St Philip’s Cathedral and feels considerably more special than the average modern city-centre property. Its 185 rooms mix restored Victorian character with contemporary comforts, while the best suites add four-poster beds, marble bathrooms and cathedral views. Downstairs, Isaac’s has the feel of a classic brasserie, Madeleine is an elegant cocktail and Champagne bar, and Downstairs at The Grand hosts live music in a more intimate late-night setting. There’s a fitness centre and in-room massage treatments, although no swimming pool. Snow Hill is almost beside the hotel, with New Street, shopping and major attractions also easily walkable. The Gay Village is farther south but still straightforward to reach on foot or by a quick taxi. GayMapper tip: the one to choose for a special occasion or if you want Birmingham history, atmosphere and a genuine sense of occasion rather than simply another comfortable room.

Hotel du Vin has far more character than the average Birmingham city hotel. It occupies a grand former Victorian eye hospital near Colmore Row and Snow Hill, with 66 individually shaped rooms that make good use of the building’s original architecture. Expect handsprung beds, Egyptian cotton linen and generously sized bathrooms, with roll-top baths appearing in some of the higher room categories. Food and drink are a big part of the experience: Bistro du Vin serves French-influenced dishes, Bubble Lounge has an extensive wine and Champagne list, and the White Lion Pub offers something more relaxed. The courtyard is particularly pleasant when Birmingham produces some decent weather. New Street, the Bullring and the main city-centre attractions are walkable, while Hurst Street is a little farther south. GayMapper tip: a lovely choice for couples or anyone who prefers historic buildings and individual rooms to the predictability of a large chain hotel.

Crowne Plaza remains a very easy Birmingham recommendation because it balances location, comfort and proper full-service hotel facilities particularly well. It’s close to New Street station, The Mailbox and Centenary Square, while the Gay Village is around a ten-minute walk away. All 312 bedrooms have now been refurbished, with comfortable contemporary rooms, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi and plenty of space to unpack. b1 Restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, with the adjoining bar staying open later for drinks. There’s also a well-equipped fitness centre, while Club Rooms and suites give access to the 11th-floor Club Lounge for breakfast plus early-evening drinks and canapés. GayMapper tip: a dependable all-rounder if you want somewhere a little more polished than the budget hotels but still want the Gay Village comfortably walkable.

easyHotel gets one thing especially right: location. It’s on John Bright Street, only a few minutes from Birmingham New Street station and a short walk from Hurst Street and the heart of the Gay Village. Rooms are compact and deliberately no-frills, but you get the essentials — a comfortable bed, private bathroom, TV and free Wi-Fi. Reception is staffed around the clock, while tea and coffee are available from vending machines. There’s no restaurant or breakfast service, but that hardly matters here given the number of cafés and places to eat immediately outside. The Bullring, Hippodrome and Chinatown are also close enough to reach on foot. GayMapper tip: ideal if the hotel is mainly somewhere to shower and sleep between sightseeing and nights out — you’re paying for a very useful location rather than facilities you may never use.

Malmaison sits inside The Mailbox, putting restaurants, bars and Birmingham’s canals practically outside the door. It’s also well placed for New Street station and around a 10–15 minute walk from the Gay Village, so you can comfortably head out on foot in the evening. Rooms have Malmaison’s familiar dark, contemporary styling, with comfortable beds and plenty of space compared with many newer city hotels. Chez Mal is the current restaurant and bar, serving modern brasserie-style food and cocktails. There’s also a gym and a small spa offering treatments and relaxation facilities. Hotel guests currently pay £15 for two hours of spa access, and there isn’t a swimming pool, so it’s worth knowing exactly what’s included before booking. GayMapper tip: a good fit if you want something a little more stylish than a standard chain hotel while keeping the Gay Village and city centre easily walkable.

B&B HOTEL Birmingham Centre is particularly handy if you want the Gay Village close by without spending four-star city-centre money. It sits on Holloway Head, with Hurst Street, Birmingham Hippodrome and the bars around the LGBTQ+ quarter all within an easy walk. The recently refurbished rooms are modern and straightforward, with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. There’s also a fitness room, restaurant and bar, plus a breakfast buffet each morning and paid parking subject to availability. New Street Station and the Bullring are around ten minutes away on foot, so the location works well for sightseeing and shopping as well as nights out. GayMapper tip: a strong value choice if being able to walk back from the Gay Village matters more than having luxury hotel extras.