The Briar Rose is one of the new Wetherspoon 'Lodges' which feature accommodation above a Wetherspoon's bar or pub. The aim is to provide simple, modern, good-value accommodation in central locations in major UK towns and cities.
The accommodation itself is on the well-established Ibis model: a simple en-suite room, with simple decor, and basic but adequate facilities. There's no room service, but food and drink can be bought in the Wetherspoon's below. The Briar Rose is situated in a refurbished "bankers' classical meets art-deco" style office building, with a large bar on the ground floor. We booked a triple room for a week-end.
In terms of our stay, we found:
Pros:
- incredibly central - between New St and Colmore Row
- unbeatable value - £20 per night each (£60 between three)
- clean (not spotless, but fine)
- surprisingly comfy beds and pillows
- spacious, bright room with high ceilings
- in-room tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer
- easily booked on-line
Cons:
- no double-glazing, so some street noise (little traffic, but the odd drunken reveller until 2am. So probably less of a problem on week-days than at week-ends)
- no air-conditioning
- not much privacy from the the flats opposite (I loathe net curtains, but it needs something)
- reception was a bit too casual for my liking, but efficient enough
- a mix-up meant the room wasn't ready at 2pm as stated, but this was sorted out quickly by the friendly and helpful cleaner
- breakfast not included, but good-value breakfasts available from the Wetherspoons below.
I'd happily stay there again (so long as the weather wasn't too sultry), but would try for a rear-facing room. Once I'd fallen asleep I slept like a log, as th bed was very comfy.
I might look elsewhere for breakfast, though, which was the only real downer. Although the meal itself was absolutely fine (veggie cooked breakfast for £2.10) and the service friendly, they serve beer at 9am on a Sunday morning, so attracting very late night revellers in various states of inebriation. (Two blokes were actually snorting 'poppers' as they were drinking...) They were all harmless enough and friendly in a drunken sort of way, but the management ought to think seriously about the wisdom of serving alcohol so early on a Saturday and Sunday.
It's hard to decide how many stars. I think:
- five stars for sheer value
- a safe three stars for the accommodation (four had the room been ready)
- breakfast experience was definitely two stars.
So three stars overall, this time. read more