The Mailbox site, with its flagship brands Malmaison and Harvey Nichols, led the rejuvenation of Birmingham city centre and the bulldozing of the dilapidated Bull Ring soon followed.
Due to the clocks going forwards the night before, we had ended up banging the doors down for breakfast at 8am and not 9am as we thought.
We knew about the time change but hadn’t realised our mobile phones had reset themselves already therefore we had put ourselves TWO hours forwards by mistake.
Happily we had extra time to stroll around the city before checking out at 12 noon.
Rambling Tart says
What a fun escape!! Your pictures are fabulous, Sarah!! YAY for the new camera!!! 🙂
vickys says
MMM my favourite holiday indulgences are buffet breakfasts with a spread that's only found in hotels. Anddd of course, sleeping under the larger than life plush duvet. 🙂
dasilvajums says
I'm a serious hotel junkie, and also quite partial to Brum, good shopping and all walkable! For a nice weekend away check out the Malmaison in Oxford, it is the old prison bldg, with all the original cells turned into rooms. I think you'd like it!
Kitchen Butterfly says
I LOVEEEEEEEEE my Canon G10 so I'm sure you're having a blast with the G11. Malmaison…..next weekend, my girls and I are going to Aberdeen for the weekend and I considered booking a stay at one but….didn't! its fantastic being able to get sometime with the hubby alone. Glad you had a great time, and just like you…I scheme sometimes for years to stay at hotels! Have a superb weekend!
Mary says
Now, if ever I get to Birmingham I'll know where to eat and stay. I can't resist a breakfast buffet and your photos make me want more than my usual oatmeal. I found your blog by chance but will be back often. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
Janice says
oooooh! That looks just fabulous, lucky you! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Chow and Chatter says
great review what a cool hotel so happy you and hubby enjoyed it
Amanda says
How awesome! Everything looks marvelous. love the view from your window!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Ahh yes I do always feel like something is missing if there isn't a bathrobe and the one towel thing is one of those annoying things that I have noticed recently (although if you have no robe and wash your hair, it's nice to use one towel for your hair and one for your body). Hehe can you tell I contemplate hotels a bit too much? 😛
aforkfulofspaghetti says
What fun you had! I'm a bit of sucker for a 'groovy' hotel, too, but it can be a bit of a costly habit. Seems as though you're more canny than me if you can book places like this for £95… 😉 Glad you had a wonderful break.
deer baby says
I would love to stay here! It looks great. And great photos. Isn't the one in Oxford a converted prison?
I'm a big Hotel du Vin fan. But you need a second mortgage. I stayed in the one in Bristol by myself the night before my wedding and you could hardly drag me to the ceremony I was enjoying it so much. Then my husband joined me for the wedding night but we could only afford those two nights.
diva says
I am LOVING that eggs benedict. What a gorgeous plate of food. You make me miss Birmingham so very much Sarah and how is it that I've lived there for 3 years and not once stepped into Malmaison?! I need to up my game. lol xx
Hilary says
The nosy side of me (which is probably the only side of me, come to think of it) LOVES hotel reviews. This is pretty much what I would expect a Malmaison to be like – kind of generically modern, but in a nicely executed way!