View from Room
Last week I spent a few days in Birmingham on a course, and wanted somewhere cheap and cheerful to stay. After searching the internet for cheap deals I was surprised to find a lack of reasonable cheap accomodation in the centre of the city. Despite the poor economic climate there seemed to be distinct lack of deals available in Birmingham. Maybe it’s the enduring appeal of the UK’s largest industrial town!
Anyway, while I was contemplating a room in a hostel, I stumbled across the ETAP website, with their basic, but cheap rooms (from £38). They become even more appealing if you fill them up since they could sleep three in an arrangement of a double bed with bunk bed. However you should be rather friendly with your potential room mates since there is very little privacy in the shower and bathroom arrangement.
The Room
The floors have a slightly dusty look around the edges that suggests that they could do with better vacuuming, though the surfaces and bed are clean. The shower was hot, powerful and spotlessly clean.
Shower room and basin
Breakfast is an extra £2.95 and consists of croissants, spreads, tea and coffee served in the communal area downstairs. Wifi is not included but can be purchased for £3 for 2 hours, and is only available in the downstairs communal area. There’s also a chiller cabinet with drinks and snacks for purchase from reception.
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The Birmingham central ETAP is near a busy road, though the double glazing keeps the noise out well.
It’s not a room that I would want to spend a lot of time in, and it’s certainly not a place for a romantic weekend, but if all you’re after is a bed to sleep in but you require more privacy than a dorm room in a hostel then an ETAP hotel will certainly fit the bill.
