Radisson Blu Hotel, Birmingham

Smoking or non smoking?....Should've been asked!

Pro: Location was great. Staff in general were well mannered. Up to 18 floors. Has a gym, but didn't get to see it. Well sized rooms also. Shoe machines on the floors along with ice.

Kontra: I have to say I love the Raddison blu brand but this will now be the 1st of two lower than average reviews I'll be writing. First of all I felt lucky and a little excited to get a good deal of £88 per night (with breakfast) as apposed to the £150-£170 most sites were advertising (including Raddison blu on their club Carlson membership site). It started with the arrival with my colleague, a small lobby for the size of the hotel. No one there at first but they came out seconds later so it wasn't too much of a problem. We explained to the front desk that I had booked the rooms for two of us, but rather than looking it was assumed it would be under separate names. Could have been my fault so I'll let that go. We then both checked in, only to find that both rooms were under my name. This was done quite fast, which was good and we were sent on our way with a brief explanation about the breakfast in the morning. Missed the offers that were on hand and not valid at check-in so no upsell. Had they asked we would have taken one of the offers. I did show my club Carlson card and asked if there was anyway of upgrading as to which she said "I'm afraid not as the hotel is fully booked". Which was understandable (remember this part!). I was getting myself together at the reception desk, at which she thanked me. She then thanked me again and gave me a look to say do that somewhere else! I looked around and saw a queue behind me, which I was surprised as there was no one there when we arrived. I apologised when I left the desk but left with a slightly sour taste in my mouth. I then went to my room which smelt of cigarettes. I wasn't sure whether someone was taking a chance on smoking in their room or it was a stench in the actual room. The carpet had stains that seemed well embedded (my colleagues room looked as though blood had been engraved into the carpet with stains too!), the tv had very poor reception (so that was the Brits out of the window). Bathroom was a good size and clean, so was the room in general. But lacked any homely or business feel.