Park Regis Birmingham, the group’s first European hotel, is an impressively large and bold building sitting on Five Way roundabout and on the edge of the city’s dynamic entertainment destination Broad Street. Luxurious Magazine’s Sabi Phagura entered the glass-fronted lobby for a stay to see what it has to offer.
This sleek city-centre hotel is a five-minute drive from the National Sea Life Centre, a mile from Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and a mere 10-minute drive from the airport.
While there’s so much to do and see in Britain’s largest city, Birmingham has never received the attention it deserves – mainly because of its formal industrial ties. But the city has been fighting back and has grown over the years with more and more industries wanting to locate here. And having a comfortable and relaxing place to work, rest and play is ever important in the area.
The impeccable foyer, with its dangling gold glittery lights against a palette of creams and greys, sets the scene for Park Regis Birmingham.
From here, a lift takes you to the main reception, which also houses the open-plan restaurant, bar and terrace. The place oozes glitz and glamour with ample shimmering mirrors and lighting, paving the way to various seated areas.
The bedrooms (253), all with flat-screen TVs in comparison, are fairly low-key compared to the rest of the décor. Modern, functional and comfortable, the rooms can be tailored depending on the requirements of your stay, with a choice of double, twin and interconnecting bedrooms.
Deluxe and Executive accessible rooms are also available. Two suites have separate living areas, while a grand, upgraded suite has a kitchen and free-standing bath.
Ours on the 10th floor was spacious and had views of the said Five Way roundabout. Thick windows meant it was surprisingly quiet, so we barely heard any traffic. The Rituals amenities in the bathroom were on point to freshen up before heading down to dinner.
Indus
Restaurant ‘Indus’ has been inspired by a love of India. Now here’s a little-known fact for you – the name ‘India’ originated from the Indus River that ran through the Asian sub-continent.
The attentive staff made our dining experience extra special, especially our waiter Talvinder who gave us an in-depth breakdown of the food and its origins. The menu flows with traditional dishes made by using freshly ground spices that explore pan-Asian flavours synonymous with the sub-continent.
The kitchen team is led by Head Chef Manish Patel, who brings his experience of working in five-star hotels in India to create a menu offering a choice of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Supported by his skilled tandoor chef, Manish uses his special arsenal of family spices coupled with years of traditions handed down from generations to create the bespoke menu.
Wanting to sample as much as our bellies would allow, Nita and I chose the non-vegetarian sharing platter of Tandoori chicken tikka, tandoori lamb chop, lamb seekh kebab and king prawns served with onion salad, mint & coriander chutney and a tamarind dip.
While the platter portion is ample enough for a complete dinner, following a break to savour and digest the delicious starter, we bravely ordered two curries for the main.
Both the Dhaniya Murgh Malai (roasted chicken thigh slowly cooked in a rich and creamy coriander, onion and tomato sauce) and King Prawn Curry (cooked in a rich masala sauce) were full of flavour without any of the grease found in some curries.
The only thing that was laden with butter was the Lachha Paratha (buttered flat bread) which is the way it is supposed to be. The flaky flatbread, along with a side of rice, were the perfect accompaniments to soak up the sauces in both mains.
1565 Bar & Terrace
While we didn’t have room for dessert following the huge savoury dishes, we did indulge in the afternoon tea the following day. This time we kept our breakfast (served in Indus) in check (a cracking selection of bread, pastries, salads, yoghurts and cooked food) to make room for the treat.
Served from the 1565 Bar & Terrace, guests can choose from various afternoon teas, including traditional, Indian vegan and children. However, there was nothing traditional about the afternoon here.
Much to our delight, there wasn’t a single sandwich in sight. Instead, our swanky three-tiered wheel frame platter was brimming with indulgent delicacies, including brioche and wraps, as well as a variety of hand-crafted profiteroles, cheesecake, scones and even a mini milkshake.
It was as much a feast for the eyes as the belly. I’ve never quite had an afternoon tea like it. To help digest it all, I enjoyed a cup of cha with herbs.
The bar, with its comfy sofas, banquet-style seats and high chairs and tables, is a great place to order snacks and drinks throughout the day, while the Terrace, with its relaxed cool city vibe, offers the space to potter in on sunny days or balmy evenings to catch the skyline.
Other amenities
Food factored in a lot on my two-day trip, so I was pleased to find a fully equipped gym on-site. A spa is situated across the workout room for guests wanting a bit of r and r. Park Regis has 11 function rooms which can be adapted to suit guests’ needs.
The spaces can be tailored to guests ‘ specific requirements, from corporate meetings to training sessions and baby showers, birthday parties, wedding parties, and conferences.
Birmingham may be lagging behind some of the other major cities when it comes to its reputation, but there is plenty to marvel at.
The Symphony Hall, the International Convention Centre and the showpiece Library of Birmingham are just some of the places to explore. And with Park Regis less than 10 minutes walk away from these as well as major shopping centres (The Mailbox, Grand Central, The Bullring), it’s a great place to start your trip.
Park Regis Brimingham – Where and How?
Park Regis Birmingham is at 160 Broad Street B15 1DT. Room rates at Park Regis start from £100, subject to availability and demand. Classic Afternoon Tea is £27.95 per person, or you can upgrade by adding a glass of champagne for £37.95 per person. If you would like more information, visit www.parkregisbirmingham.co.uk.
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