Ramada Encore Birmingham Walsall - Walsall, United Kingdom     

I would have to agree with the previous review this hotel has potential but is seriously flawed in so many ways! Firstly this hotel is just rebranding to Park Inn Birmingham Walsall so some signs are for Ramada Encore and some are Park Inn. Rooms are okay and good value if you get a good deal - we stayed on a Sunday evening and got a fair rate through Laterooms. Few problems with rooms: 1) Extractor in bathroom does not seem anywhere near powerful enough which results in steamy mirrors whcih take ages to clear. 2) Housekeeping rather poor - previous occupants keycard was left under the table in the room and the cartons of cream in the room were nearly three weeeks out of date. 3) Heating/Air Con unit was very poor, after half an hour of trying various options and deciding to call reception I was told "the units aren't very good and we have all sorts of problems with them! Bar/Restaurant 1) Service from Bar was from a rather surly girl who seemed to be multi tasking between bar and reception. 2) Bar and restaurant area freezing, in the middle of winter they seemed to have insufficient or no heating on! 3) Breakfast awful - it was a quiet night but the food had obviously been left out and not refreshed since the beginning of service - who leaves pastries, croissants etc under hot lamps for any length of time because they end up like burnt toast! Overall 1) Full christmas decorations throughout the hotel was rather odd for the middle of January and gives an overall impression of the numerous areas of the hotel which are lacking in attention to detail 2) With a 121 rooms I wonder how this hotel would cope with anything like full occupancy? 3) Decor is contemporary and fresh throughout although the area the hotel is in leaves alot to be desired and one receptionist did tell us they have problems with car break-ins etc so be careful! Would I return - if this was the only hotel available and the rate was as good as we got then maybe...

We booked this hotel as it was simply the cheapest in the area at the time - 2 months before we stayed. (cost was only £34 per night though would have shot up to around £129 if booked nearer the time - way overpriced). The room was of an excellent standard with very modern/stylish fittings. We were missing the cot we requested but the pleasant receptionist soon sorted this out. Unfortunately the hotel is very, very close to the M6 motorway. It is very difficult to get to sleep when the sound insulation is not up to par - especially when you've a 1 year old child with you. Due to the nature of the motorway this noise continued throughout the night. Unlike previous comments I must say the cooked breakfast was truly excellent. Lots of freshly cooked, good quality stuff. I especially enjoyed the cappucino machine! Nice variety of cold buffet items too. Overall, with the very helpful staff, room and food quality I would be tempted to give a higher rating. Unfortunately you really need to get a good nights sleep in a hotel. Beware if you need those 'zzzzzzzzzz's.