Village Hotel Solihull

This hotel offers a unique blend of leisure and hospitality, with its integrated gym and pool facilities serving as a signature feature, popular with both guests and local members. Guests frequently highlight the exceptional friendliness and attentiveness of the staff, contributing significantly to a positive experience. While many find the rooms comfortable and generally clean, some note inconsistencies in maintenance and cleanliness. The on-site bar and grill is a lively hub, especially for sports viewing, offering good food, though dining experiences can be mixed, particularly regarding breakfast variety and service during peak times. The hotel attracts a diverse clientele, including business travelers seeking convenient meeting facilities, leisure guests and friends drawn to the vibrant atmosphere, and couples looking for a relaxing getaway. To enhance your stay, be mindful that access to the leisure facilities often incurs an additional cost, and consider requesting a room away from the main bar area or elevators if you prefer a quieter environment.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts comprehensive leisure facilities, including a well-equipped gym, a decent-sized pool, sauna, and steam room. While these are popular and generally well-maintained, guests should be aware that access often requires an additional cost, as the facilities are also open to the public and local members, leading to them being quite busy at times. A convenient Starbucks located within the hotel is highly praised for its efficient and friendly service, providing a quick option for coffee and snacks. The hotel also offers ample parking, though it can become chaotic due to ongoing building works and heavy usage by gym members. Wi-Fi is generally reliable, and the presence of meeting rooms makes it suitable for business events. Some guests noted the presence of only one, often slow, elevator.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room comfort is largely positive, with many praising the comfortable beds and spacious layouts, often equipped with large TVs. However, opinions on cleanliness are mixed. While some rooms are described as spotless and tidy, a notable number of guests reported issues such as dust, stained carpets, torn blinds, and general wear and tear. Bathrooms, too, received varied comments, with some being spotless while others had issues with mould, dirty towels, clogged drains, or leaking showers. A significant recurring concern for some guests was the lack of hot water. Noise levels are a frequent complaint, with disturbances from corridors, parties in the bar area, street noise, and even building works impacting sleep quality, particularly for rooms located near lifts.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining options primarily revolve around its Pub and Grill, which is often lauded for its lively atmosphere, especially during sports events. Food quality in the restaurant is generally described as good, with popular items like chicken tenders and flatbread pizzas receiving positive mentions. However, some guests experienced slow service or a lack of variety on the menu, particularly concerning options for specific dietary needs. Breakfast receives mixed reviews; many find it good with a buffet style and a good variety of hot food and pastries, but others found it disappointing due to limited options, poor quality of certain items, or issues with replenishment during busy periods. Room service is available, but some guests reported problems with orders not arriving or incorrect billing.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is considered highly convenient, particularly for those visiting the NEC or traveling via the M42, offering easy access to major routes. It serves as a good base for exploring nearby Solihull, Stratford, and Birmingham, though it is situated on the outskirts of Birmingham, meaning a taxi or ride-share service is often needed to reach the city center. Parking is widely available and generally ample, but it can become chaotic and very busy due to high usage by non-resident gym members, with specific charges applying on weekdays. Some guests noted ongoing building works in the vicinity, which could occasionally affect the immediate surroundings or parking flow, though the hotel itself is generally in a quiet area.

Staff & Service
The staff at this hotel consistently receive overwhelmingly positive feedback, with guests frequently praising their friendliness, helpfulness, attentiveness, and professionalism. The check-in process is generally described as easy and straightforward, contributing to a smooth arrival experience. Service in the bar and restaurant is often highlighted for its quickness and the positive attitudes of the team, even during busy periods. Staff at the on-site Starbucks are also commended for their efficiency and welcoming demeanor. While the majority of interactions are positive, some guests reported mixed experiences with housekeeping, noting occasional lapses in room cleaning or towel replacement. Similarly, a few guests encountered unhelpful responses from reception regarding specific complaints or billing issues, though these instances appear to be less common.

Additional Information
A significant point for guests to note is that access to the hotel's extensive gym and pool facilities often incurs an additional cost, as these amenities are also open to the public and local members, which can lead to them being very busy. Several guests reported issues with a persistent lack of hot water in their rooms, sometimes for extended periods, and expressed frustration with the difficulty in resolving these problems. The hotel's room service hours are noted by some as being limited, occasionally ending earlier than expected. Guests can benefit from a rewards program that offers discounts on food and drinks. There were also mentions of ongoing building works in the hotel's vicinity, which might impact the immediate surroundings. The hotel's approach to managing noise from parties or guests in public areas, particularly late at night, was a concern for some, suggesting a need for more robust noise control measures.