The Britannia Hotel Birmingham sits directly opposite New Street station, making it one of the most central budget options in the city. This review digs into the hotel’s location, ownership, amenities, and the mixed feedback from recent guests — all drawn from the official operator site, booking platforms, and review aggregators. Whether you are weighing cost against convenience, the evidence here should help you decide if this is the right base for a city-centre stay.
Last checked: 2026-07-05
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Location: Birmingham city centre, opposite New Street station · Nearby landmark: Bullring shopping centre (5-minute walk) · Chain: Britannia Hotels · Dining: On-site restaurant
- Distance to Bullring: 5-minute walk
- Location relative to station: Opposite New Street station
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-05.
Sources reviewed: official property website, TripAdvisor, Expedia, KAYAK, Booking.com, TravelWeekly.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent verification of pricing or availability were conducted.
Britannia Hotel Birmingham at a glance
- 214 en-suite bedrooms (Britannia Hotels)
- Check-in from 3pm; check-out 10am weekdays, 11am Sat–Sun
- New Street, opposite New Street station, 0.2 miles from central Birmingham
- Reportedly remodelled in 2024 (241 rooms per Expedia); earlier renovation noted in 2006 (Expedia; TravelWeekly)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Birmingham city centre, opposite New Street station (Britannia Hotels) |
| Nearby landmark | Bullring shopping centre (5-minute walk) (KAYAK) |
| Chain | Britannia Hotels |
| Dining | On-site restaurant |
| Free Wi‑Fi | Yes, throughout the hotel |
| Room amenities | Tea/coffee making facilities, TV, telephone, hairdryer (TripAdvisor) |
| Extra services | 24-hour room service, express check-in/check-out, coffee bar |
| Ranking | #115 of 116 hotels in Birmingham on TripAdvisor |
Is the Britannia Hotel good?
Guest reviews on TripAdvisor
On TripAdvisor the Britannia Hotel Birmingham is ranked #115 out of 116 hotels in the city, placing it near the bottom of the list. This low position reflects a pattern of mixed and often negative feedback. One detailed review described a broken toilet, a constantly dripping shower, a noisy window, and a bed that did not match the double size booked (TripAdvisor user review).
Common praises and complaints
KAYAK’s aggregated review synthesis identifies two recurring themes: guests frequently praise the “excellent central location” but complain about noise levels, uncomfortable beds, cleanliness, and maintenance issues such as lifts and heating (KAYAK review synthesis). Booking.com snippets paint a slightly milder picture, describing rooms as “basic but clean” and staff as “friendly and helpful” (Booking.com).
“Guests frequently praise the hotel’s excellent central location… However, many guests report issues with noise levels… and discomfort with the beds.”
— KAYAK editorial summary
Where is the Britannia Hotel in Birmingham?
Opposite New Street station
The hotel is literally across the street from Birmingham New Street, the city’s main railway station. The official site describes it as “standing proudly on New Street” and within easy reach of the Bullring shopping centre. KAYAK measures the distance to central Birmingham at roughly 0.2 miles.
Walking distance to Bullring
The Bullring shopping centre, with its vast retail and dining options, is about a five-minute walk. The hotel’s central position means that most of Birmingham’s key attractions — including the Grand Central complex, the Arena, and the Jewellery Quarter — are within a short walk or a quick bus ride.
Who is the owner of Britannia Hotel?
Alex Langsam and his background
The Britannia Hotel chain is owned by British hotelier Alex Langsam, often referred to in the press as the “Asylum King” because of his earlier business converting former asylum buildings into hotels. Langsam built the chain by acquiring older, often distressed properties and operating them on a tight budget.
Britannia Hotels group overview
Britannia Hotels is one of the UK’s largest privately owned hotel groups, with more than 50 properties across the country. The group is known for its no-frills, low-price model — an approach that explains both the affordable rates at the Birmingham property and the frequent complaints about maintenance and décor.
“The hotel’s 214 en-suite bedrooms are tastefully furnished, with tea and coffee making facilities, TV, a telephone and hairdryer.”
— Britannia Hotels official description
What parking and dining options does the Britannia Hotel Birmingham offer?
Parking availability
The official site confirms that parking is available at the hotel, though it does not specify whether it is free or charged, nor the exact number of spaces. Because the property sits on a busy city-centre street, drivers are advised to check the most current rates and availability directly with the hotel before arrival.
On-site restaurant and menu
The hotel operates an on-site restaurant. Beyond that, official information does not list opening hours or a sample menu. Travel booking sites mention a “coffee bar” and 24-hour room service as additional dining options.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unbeatable location opposite New Street station and a short walk from the Bullring
- Budget-friendly rates, typically among the cheapest in central Birmingham
- On-site restaurant and 24-hour room service
- Free Wi‑Fi throughout the property
Cons
- Low TripAdvisor ranking (#115 of 116) reflecting widespread guest dissatisfaction
- Frequent complaints about noise, uncomfortable beds, and cleanliness
- Inconsistent room count data (214 vs 241) across different sources
- Limited published detail on parking fees and restaurant hours
Price range
The Britannia Hotel Birmingham is consistently positioned as a budget property. KAYAK’s summary notes that the hotel offers “affordable rates” compared with other city-centre options. Specific nightly prices vary by season and booking lead time, but searchers generally find it among the least expensive hotels near New Street station. No exact starting price is confirmed across the sources reviewed.
Location and getting there
By train: Birmingham New Street station is directly opposite the hotel entrance. National Rail services connect to London Euston (approx. 1h20m), Manchester Piccadilly (1h30m), and many other UK cities.
By car: The hotel is on New Street, a pedestrianised zone for most of the day. Drivers should follow local signs for the nearest car parks, such as the Bullring or Grand Central multi-storey. On-site parking is limited and should be pre-booked if available.
By air: Birmingham Airport (BHX) is about 20 minutes by train from New Street station, with direct trains every 10 minutes.
Alternatives to consider
For travellers who want a similar budget proposition but in a different city, the chain’s Britannia Sachas Hotel Manchester follows the same low-price model near Piccadilly. In the West Midlands region, the Arden Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon offers a mid-range alternative in a quieter setting. Within Birmingham, other budget options exist near Broad Street and the Jewellery Quarter, though they lack the direct station access of the Britannia.
Our pick for whom?
The Britannia Hotel Birmingham is best suited to budget-conscious travellers who value location above all else. If you are catching an early train, shopping at the Bullring, or simply need a cheap place to sleep in the heart of the city, it can serve as a functional base. The trade-off is clear: you are likely to encounter noise, worn furnishings, and below-average service. If your comfort standards are higher, or if you plan to spend significant time in the room, a mid-range hotel nearby may be a better investment.
hoteles.com, reddit.com, britanniab2-4rx.hotels-birmingham.net, trustpilot.com, tripadvisor.co.uk, trivago.com.ph
Frequently asked questions
Is the Britannia Hotel near the Bullring?
Yes, the Bullring shopping centre is about a five-minute walk from the hotel, as confirmed by KAYAK distance data.
Does the hotel have free Wi‑Fi?
Yes, free Wi‑Fi is available throughout the property, according to the official Britannia Hotels site.
What is the closest train station to the hotel?
Birmingham New Street station is directly opposite the hotel entrance. It is the main rail hub for the city.
Who owns the Britannia Hotel chain?
The chain is owned by British hotelier Alex Langsam, known for acquiring former asylum buildings and operating them as budget hotels.
Does the hotel have a restaurant?
Yes, there is an on-site restaurant, and the hotel also offers a coffee bar and 24-hour room service, as listed on KAYAK.
What is the typical price range for a room?
Official rates are not published on the sites reviewed, but KAYAK describes the hotel as having “affordable rates” and it is generally among the cheapest central Birmingham options.
Is parking included in the room rate?
The official site states that parking is available, but does not specify whether it is free or charged. Contact the hotel directly for current terms.
Sources
- Britannia Hotels – official property page
- TripAdvisor – Britannia Hotel Birmingham reviews
- Expedia – hotel information page
- KAYAK – hotel features and review synthesis
- Booking.com – guest reviews
- TravelWeekly – hotel listing with renovation history