Hotel’s looking so Grand
Birmingham’s landmark Grand Hotel, which re-opened its doors to the public in May 2021 after a £45 million restoration and refurbishment programme, is set for an official opening this autumn.
Housed in one of the city centre’s most iconic buildings on Colmore Row, the luxury hotel is a Grade II listed building – and was once the base for the headquarters of Birmingham Press Club. The Club’s accommodation was officially opened in 1997 by the then Prime Minister John Major. (Pictured here, John Major meets then Birmingham Evening Mail editor Ian Dowell and enjoys a pint with Press Club director Jerry Johns).
Before that, during the early years of the Club, the Grand – built by Isaac Horton and opened in 1875 - was a regular haunt of the city’s journalists and, more latterly, the scene of celebrity lunches and dinners, as well as glittering Press Balls held in the stunning Grosvenor Room, the Louis XIV-style ballroom with seating for 350 guests.
Press Club chairman Llewela Bailey said: “The new Grand Hotel is a superb addition to the city’s offering as a first-class destination location. Press Club members have fond memories of events held at the Grand and they are delighted that the hotel, after being closed for almost 20 years, now has an exciting new lease of life.”
Retaining the building's French Renaissance exterior and its Victorian and Arts & Crafts features, the restoration also includes a new two-bedroom penthouse suite with spectacular views across St Phillip's Cathedral and the city beyond. Interior design by Robert Angell Design International reflects the passion and spirit of contemporary Birmingham, whilst paying homage to the building's stunning original features and history.
Guests are now able to stay in the hotel’s 185 guest rooms and suites and to meet-and-drink with friends and colleagues in Madeleine, the hotel’s glamorous cocktail bar, while afternoon tea is a treat served every Wednesday to Saturday, priced £29 including a glass of champagne.
Other features include a hotel gym and nine additional meeting & event spaces.
To mark its re-opening, the Grand (www.thegrandhotelbirmingham.co.uk) lit up its iconic façade in a sea of colours for five days from sunset until sunrise. General manager Peter Kienast said “This has been the most testing time the hospitality industry has ever faced. The lighting up of The Grand Hotel not only marked the return of this landmark building; it was also our way of welcoming people back to Birmingham as the city's fantastic bars, restaurants and hotels finally return to business.”
