Hotel Review: Hilton Birmingham Metropole

Victoria-Jayne Scholes • October 25, 2024

Victoria-Jayne’s accessible trip to the NEC for Motability’s Big Event Show in May 2024.

5-story brown brick hotel in the background with white Hilton signage. Plants line a pathway. big and small. 7 flag poles stand in front with blue flags and the Hilton logo and Hilton name adorn them. A disabled sign saying disabled entrance this way sits to the left of the picture.
The Hilton Logo and name sits in a box at the top underneath a four yellow stars. Following this writing about Legally Powereds Rate of Apporval. A swirly boarder serpaerates this from the rest of the text which tells you the location on the hotel, the phone number, how to access the hotel and prices starting from.

Pulling off the M42 and entering the ring road of Pendigo Way, you could be confused by the sites confronting you. 


To the west sits three big circus tents and the entrance to the car park of Resort World and to the east, the car park to the Moxy Hotel and NEC for Non-Disabled Drivers. To the north, are the planes taking off from Birmingham Airport. 


Driving to the next roundabout and turning left sits the 795-room Hilton Birmingham Metropole, nestled amongst trees, greenery and the entertainment that surrounds it. 

Car-Parking


At the front of the hotel, there are eight disabled bays which are accessed through a barrier. We needed to call the concierge on

the number provided on the board to gain access.


I was asked about my visit and my badge details before being allowed to enter. This is done with good intent, allowing only disabled badge holders to park in this area of the car-park.

 

My only criticism of this system occurs when the phone lines are busy. The disabled parking is at the front and waiting for a barrier to rise blocks the road for other cars to pass by. The board with the phone number is also slightly faded.

Grabbing the last space, we pulled in for our two-night stay.


From the car-park there is a pathway to the entrance of the hotel, making a hasty whizz past the bumblebees sitting on the plants on the way! 

Disabled car parking space, with a disabled sign and yellow crosses to signal no parking.

Entrance/Reception


The entrance is large and spacious, with luxurious seating.


To the left of the lobby sits a coffee area, also serving takeaway and the Gild lounge. To the right, a corridor with the lifts, the exit to Resort World, and reception.


Walking up to the Hilton Honors desk, I was greeted by a friendly receptionist who took our details. However, upon giving our name, the gentleman on the desk next door stepped in to take care of us, having recognised us from a previous stay.

At this time, I must state that the hotel was unaware of my intent to write a review.


Faisal, with his friendly and calm manner, reassured us we had our favourite accessible room. When we went back, before the three o’clock check-in time, he advised the room was ready.


Gild Lounge

Whilst waiting for the room, we visited the Gild Lounge. It is the less formal eating area in the hotel along with a bar. Brightsmiths is the more formal evening dining experience over looking the lake.


There are two entrances to the Gild for wheelchair users, one from the lobby area. The other is from lift lobby C, however, this entrance has doors, which we found closed on multiple occasions.


Once in the Gild, there is a ramp taking you to the seating area of the quick-service coffee bar.


Upon sitting down, we advised we were Coeliac and if they had a gluten free menu. The lady serving us checked with the chef, and said she would text over what we could have.


Another server called Joanne, approached for our drink order. We remembered Joanne from our last visit, as she was so friendly and accommodating. This time was no different and what really stood out was despite it being a year since our last trip, she remembered us, where we sat and that last time there was an extra person in our party. It is extra touches like this that make a guest feel extra special. and why Joanne is one of the stars of my stay.



The gluten-free burger was amazing. We were put at ease by being advised the chips and sweet potato fries were cooked separately in the oven, something that is often a concern for those with Coeliac. 

  • Marble style flooring. Pine handrail on left, glass window on right.

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    Ramp to Gild From lift Lobby C

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  • ramp with a handrail on the left and a half-sized oak wall on the right, it is a carpeted area with seas. Two Abstract pictures hang on the wall.

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    Ramp which leads to the Coffee Bar seating area. 

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  • Wooden floor board with mahogany-style panelled walls with handrails on either side.

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    Ramp from entrance/reception area to Gild Lounge

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  • A Burger Bun with a burger and fries sit on a plate.

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    Gluten-Free Burger with Fries served in Gild Lounge.

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Queen=-sized bed with white duvet and pillows sit in the middle on the bedroom. To either side is a table with a lamp on.

The Room


After filling ourselves up at lunch, we went to inspect the room. Having stayed at multiple hotels, the Queen Size accessible room (1040) has to be one of the best. 


The interconnecting room (1041) is a real asset when travelling with a Personal Assistant. 


The main door was heavy but being fire doors, this cannot be helped. 


For Wheelchair users, the room has considerable space with a separate lounge and dressing area to the bedroom. The wardrobe has a pull-down handle, and the dressing table and mirror are at a good height for those in or out of their chair to use. 


There are hooks to hang up coats and dressing gowns etc. The hooks are something I think they may need to reconsider, as they are all up high so for wheelchair users this may be a challenge. 


The French doors that open to the Juliette balcony are great in the summer to let fresh air in. 


Going into the bedroom, you are met with a queen-size bed which you can easily get down one side in a wheelchair. 


There is a TV in both the lounge area and bedroom.
A toilet sits to the back of the photo on the right. In front of it a sink. To the left of the toilet are bars which can be pulled down and then another long vanity sink which has a light up mirror surrounding it. Towels sit on the end of the vanity unit. A white pedal bin sits underneath the counter.

The bathroom is generous, with an accessible walk-in shower with a pull-down seat and bars. The luxury the large shower gives, made me want to stay there all day.


My one criticism of the bathroom is the location of the hand soap and moisturiser, which was located right next to the toilet, so I had to reach right over, to then go back to the sink. 


The towel was then located over the other side of the bathroom with no hooks to hang the towels up on. 

Breakfast


The next morning, heading down to breakfast, we made an early start, wanting to beat the conference guests staying at the hotel.


Upon entering the lifts, which were more than big enough to entertain a powerchair, a mobility scooter and at least two other people, we were advised the hotel was entertaining guests who were at the NEC for a dentistry conference. It went to show the popularity of the hotel.


The Arbour, where breakfast is served, is spacious and we were accommodated immediately. Having a powerchair and mobility scooter can be somewhat overwhelming for some restaurants but every part of the hotel we visited was accommodating and we did not feel we posed an issue.


We were served by Anisa who was another star of our stay. Anisa was attentive, helped get food and drink for us. She talked to us and made us feel special without neglecting any of the other guests she was looking after.


The hotel catered really well for Coeliacs, and the cross-contamination risk was kept to a minimum. They had cornflakes and muesli in bags, blueberry and choc chip muffins (all sealed), bread in sealed bags and then separate toasters behind the counter that only chefs and servers could access.


The buffet breakfast was watched at all times so no spoons were swapped about and if they were the food was removed immediately.


A shout-out goes to chef Debbie, who went above and beyond to ensure our meal was as safe as possible by cooking it fresh and bringing it all to the table.


Just outside the breakfast hall is a disabled toilet.

A black brick wall sits to the background with a steel counter in front. In front of that, a hot counter with 6 black downlighters that cover a variety of different hot foods including, mushrooms, tomatoes, bacon, sausages, baked beans, and eggs. to the left of the food is a stack of plates. Pass the food is a white door and next to it is a grey door with a fire exit sign over the top.

Access to NEC

After breakfast and belly full, we headed to the NEC for our event. The NEC is a 5-minute walk from the hotel and the ease of access for wheelchair users is amazing as shown in the video.


Walking through the hotel's backdoor and down a woodland alley, suitable for wheelchair users, you soon see the side of the NEC in front of you. The entrance is to the right, past the Moxy Hotel, and across a small entrance road. In my powerchair, it took around 5 minutes.



The alley also takes you to Resort World past a beautiful lake, to the many restaurants and outlet shops, as well as Bear Grylls Adventure and Resort World Arena, all taking me less than 10 minutes. 

Other Amenities.


After a long day at our event, we headed back to the Gild for something to eat.


The food was amazing again, this time tucking into steak. The ice cream for dessert is to die but at £8 plus a service charge for three scoops can seem a little pricey.


Our servers Ola and Molly were both attentive and helpful throughout our meal.


Breakfast on Saturday met the same Hilton standard as the day before, with more people in the hotel, the staff never let it show if they were stressed or overwhelmed and food never ran out.


The hotel does have a swimming pool. However, on both my stays, it has been quite busy with people from outside of the hotel as well as swimming lessons taking place so have not felt comfortable using it, but there are places around the pool to sit if you so wish.


The accessibility around the hotel is one of the best I have visited and for the local amenities, once parked I do not have to move the car. I can get everywhere in my chair, even to other local hotels if I so wish.


It is the extra touches such as concierge fetching my luggage from the car to my room and the same upon check out, even packing the car for me. Nothing is too much bother, from housekeeping to reception, to concierge to the staff around the hotel all wishing you a good day.


This hotel exceeds the standard and goes beyond with accessibility of any other Hilton Hotel I have had the pleasure of staying at.


Overall, my stay at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole was brilliant and one where I will be returning to again. 

  • Steak, Chip, Mushroom, and tomato sit on a white plate. A brown mahogany table holds the plate.

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    Steak dinner in the Gild Lounge

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  • A large shower head sits above a smaller one on a pole on a marble-tiled wall. The wall also holds three green bottles with pump lids. To the right of the shower is a grab rail. To the left in a pull-down seat and another grab rail.

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    The disabled access shower in room 

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  • Four silver hooks sit up high on the magnolia wall. At the bottom of the picture is the handle of a black handbag.

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    Coat Hooks in the berdroom. 

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  • A wardrobe with a rail on the right-hand side which can be pulled down for wheelchair users. Eight wooden coat hangers sit on the rail. A white ironing board is lent up against the back of the wardrobe. To the left and side are four drawers and two shelves.

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    Wardrobe with pull-down rail. 

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  • A wooden dressing table with a mirror over the top. A tray which holds a kettle and cups alongside tea and coffee sit atop the table. A TV is on the wall.

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    A dressing table holding in-room complimentry beverages. 

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  • A cream sofa sits against a wall. A small round table is in front with a small grey chair to the side. Patio doors are directly in front of the photo.

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    Lounge area of room 1040

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  • An oak side board holds a range of coffee machines as well as a variety of teas and cups.

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    Tea and Coffee in the Arbour Breakfast area. 

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  • A fridge holding a selection of yoghurts, fresh fruits, ham, cheese and fish. To the left a waffle make and toasters. Underneath the unit sits a selection of bowls and plates.

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  • A white sideboard holds a selection of fruit juices, cereals and milk.

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    Breakfast at the Arbour.

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  • A reception area sits to the left of the photo. A rope separates two lanes and entrance and an exit. To the right hand side sits to indoor large plants.

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    Entrance area to the Arbour. 

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