After reading previous reviews about this hotel we were not really looking forward to staying there. The reason we chose this hotel was because of it's location, right by the Birmingham Symphony Hall where we were going to a concert. When we arrived we were ready to do battle if our room was found to be dirty or less than we would normally expect at another hotel. We found our room to be very clean and the furniture was acceptable. The main thing about the hotel is the location, it is very close to everything. Instead of paying £15.75 for breakfast at the hotel we went out of the back entrance to Wetherspoons where we had a full English for £2.49. There are many bars and eating places if you walk through the Symphony Hall area and out of the other side - called the Brindley. We ate at the Bank which was a bit pricey but the food was lovely and service was good too. There was a lot going on in this area, bars, restaurants. We were pleasantly surprised by our stay at this hotel, although we would not class it as 4 star (we did not pay 4 star prices either), we look forward to a return visit in the near future.

I stayed here for 2 nights in March 2008. The hotel's location is very good, just a few minutes walk from New Street station, and it's not far from Snow Hill station either (again, just a few minutes walk). The dealings we had with the reception staff were fine, and they were happy to store our case for us in a locked room, since we turned up before check-in started (2pm). Our room was quite spacious, and the bathroom and sheets were clean. There were tea and coffee making facilities in the room, but no minibar. Negatives: the room smelled strongly of cigarette smoke, which struck us every time we entered the room. The hotel is non-smoking, and there is a sign on the reception desk saying that guests caught smoking will be fined. I can only assume that the smell was residual, from a time when smoking was permitted, and the smell had just permeated the furnishings. The upholstery on the chair and bedstead was grubby, and could have done with being replaced. The wallpaper border was also peeling away, and looked shabby. I don't mind furnishings being old-fashioned, as long as they are clean; but the furnishings in general could have done with replacing. The bathroom light also flickered badly, so these things are obviously not tested / reported by the housekeeping staff. The only other thing that bothered us was the door separating our room from the room next door - it provides next to no sound-proofing whatsoever, and we were woken up by a very frank conversation next door at 4am -we heard every word! Can't comment on the hotel breakfast, as we stayed on a room-only basis. The card in the room said that a basic breakfast of tea, cereal, toast etc. cost nearly £16! We ate breakfast at a cafe between the hotel and New Street station -the Victoria Square cafe on Pinfold Street. The owner is pleasant, and the cooked breakfast tasted very fresh - a bargain at less than £4, including a mug of tea!

Turned up with three rooms reserved, a single and two twins. Reception gave us three check-in cards to fill in. First pair went up to their room and prompty came back down when they used the room key to get into their allocated room - only to find that the room was already occupied by a pair of girls. Quite why the key worked when they have supposedly secure random key locks is beyond me; the security of such a situation is beyond the pale.

Next, single got his key, went to his room.

Finally receptionist got to us and said "we don't have a reservation for you". "But you have just given us a card to fill in," I say. "Oh well mumble mix up two cards for same room mumble". "Never mind, just give us another room". "Sorry sir, hotel full". "But I have a reservation and not everybody has checked in yet". "Hotel full". "This room is reserved". "Not for you sir". etc etc.

We ended up staying at the Holiday Inn Express, at 2/3 of the price and with receptionists who knew what customer service was about. Apparently they get the overflow from the Copthorne quite regularly. Seems that a reservation at the Copthorne is like an airline reservation - they overbook.

Comments from the others who did actually get a room were "grotty", "seen better days".

Good location, a short walk from New Street Station, with restaurants and shops nearby.

Room was a good size, decorated in a slightly country style which seemed strange for a city hotel. Bed was comfortable, bathroom was a bit dated but functional.

From a business perspective no wifi in the room was a real pain although there was free wifi in reception area.

Ate breakfast in the hotel which was fine.