8 Best Hotels in Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon and the Heart of England

Just a five-minute walk from the village of Hampton-in-Arden, this hotel (and its Michelin-star restaurant, Grace & Saviour’s) is proof that Birmingham lodging isn’t all about business travel. Here, the focus is very much on relaxing, and everything has been thought through carefully to ensure you feel at home. There are fresh coffee beans to grind and huge beds to dive into; some rooms even have record players. The house was built in 1855 by Frederick Peel on land purchased by his father, British prime minister Robert Peel. Paying homage to the house’s Arts and Crafts past, the rooms are individually designed and feature hand-printed wallpaper and luxurious fabrics.

A Victorian eye hospital got a makeover from this hip chain, but it retains such original details as the ironwork double stairway and marble columns. Beyond the imposing redbrick exterior is an inner courtyard with a retractable roof, which is a great summertime outdoor space and a lovely location for afternoon tea year-round. Bedrooms are sleek and contemporary, with leather-encased sleigh beds, slippers and robes, and a choice of drinking glasses to accompany the minibar. The bistro has a flavor of Paris, and in the Bubble Lounge you can sample a wide variety of sparkling wines.

This budget hotel in the Jewellery Quarter has pod-style bedrooms and a selection of mini-apartments for those who want to use their hotel as little more than somewhere to sleep between exploring. The rooms are updated with smart controls and decorated in cool tones of autumnal brown, green, and gray, and have amenities such as pocket-sprung mattresses, monsoon showers, and high-definition LED TVs. You can order a rather basic "breakfast bag" for the morning or just try one of the many local cafés. Guests can also make use of many local discounts, including free entry to the nearby Jam House live music venue.

An excellent central location near the waterside nightlife scene is just one perk of staying at this smoothly run chain hotel. The crisp, modern bedrooms and bathrooms, though on the small side, are beautifully equipped and furnished in calm, neutral tones. Downstairs, the trendy bar and neighboring Recess restaurant have a very Mad Men feel. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are included in the good weekend deals and even in high-season, bargains can be had.

Housed in one of the city’s grand Victorian buildings, this traditional hotel is a surprisingly good value option in the center of Birmingham. Guest rooms are decorated either with conservative dark woods and print fabrics or, for a slightly higher rate, in a modern, minimalist style using warm, muted colors. The Berlioz restaurant has a contemporary British menu, or you can take afternoon tea in the Berlioz Bar.

Luxury retail therapy is on your doorstep at this chic hotel in the Mailbox development with its Harvey Nichols store. Large windows make the guest rooms light and airy by day, and there’s subtle lighting by night. Furnishings are bright and funky, and bathrooms indulge you with tailor-made toiletries. There's also a spa and gym on-site.

A tree-lined drive leads through 26 acres of gardens and open fields to this moated manor house dating to the 13th century, where public rooms reflect the hotel’s long history with period touches such as 16th-century oak paneling and Flemish glass, 18th-century chandeliers, and a 17th-century stone fireplace. Guest rooms include elements of classic character as well as modern bathrooms; some have four-poster beds, and most preserve original features such as cornices and fireplaces. Sophisticated British cuisine is served in the very grand Bridge Restaurant, while coffee and digestifs can be taken in the Terrace Lounge and Bar. There is also a decent spa and pretty grounds to wander. The hotel is 7 miles northeast of the city center.

At this boutique hotel in the popular Jewellery Quarter, the simply decorated, modern rooms come with luxury bedding and waterfall showers. A casual restaurant is on-site, and the drinks menu has plenty of cocktails. It's a great price for the quality and the location. Parking is available for a fee.