pentahotel Birmingham

Arriving guests know they’re in for a decidedly different hotel experience when they learn that the registration area is at the far end of the stainless steel bar counter that’s bathed in neon lavender light. It’s part of the industrial, loft-like communal area that serves 24/7 food and drinks. Designed for a young and hip clientele, the spacious and inviting area features high ceilings, lots of large windows, hardwood floors, and eclectic art and photography. Lots of comfy leather furniture is set in cozy nooks, and there's a book library and free billiards table and pinball machine to guests to hang out at any time of the day. The hotel has an undeniable laidback vibe, but it may be too avant-garde for some business travelers who are more frequently seen here during the week. On weekends, younger couples tend to book rooms and the hotel gets quite lively into the late hours. 

The hotel is located on a busy four-lane road in central Birmingham. It’s a rather gritty industrial area that doesn’t offer much in terms of restaurants or shopping in the immediate area. While it’s less than a mile to the city center, it’s not a necessarily pleasant walk.  

• Four-minute walk to the O2 Academy Birmingham
• Six-minute walk to shopping at The Mailbox
• Seven-minute walk to Birmingham New Street train station
• Seven-minute walk to Hippodrome Theatre Birmingham
• Seven-minute walk to Chinese Quarter
• 10-minute walk to Birmingham Town Hall
• 11-minute walk to Bullring Shopping Centre
• 20-minute drive (25 minutes by train) to Birmingham International Airport
• 30-minute drive (40 minutes by train) to Birmingham National Exhibition Centre

Clean rooms have a crisp, minimalist design that includes light gray walls, solid brown carpet, crimson drapes, upholstered furniture, and bolster pillows. Small photos of guitars add an artistic element. The most striking aspect of the rooms is the large white headboards with printed map graphics locating various Birmingham landmarks. The headboards have mounted night lights and media plug-ins. All rooms (Doubles and Twins) offer the same amount of space and are on the small side. But, they’re cleverly configured to maximize comfort, with handsome desks and accompanying chairs in one corner and armchairs placed in another corner. Storage space is provided by small dressers in the hallways that have mounted industrial pipes for hanging clothes. Standard amenities include coffeemakers, free bottled water, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. 

Bathrooms are also a bit cramped but stylish, with frosted glass vanities, stainless steel sinks, brown tile floors, and glass walls and shelving. Walk-in showers have plenty of space, but several past guests have reported water flooding their bathrooms and even the hallways during showers. Pentaplus Rooms on higher floors add robes and slippers. The large windows afford sweeping views from the higher floors, but the surrounding industrial area is mostly unattractive. Rather thin walls allow ambient noise to enter the rooms, but it’s at generally acceptable levels for most guests.

This contemporary lifestyle hotel was designed to serve a younger clientele who like to have access to amenities throughout the night and day. The Pentalounge communal area serves drinks and food 24/7, including a breakfast buffet -- though it costs extra. Other menu items include burgers, steaks, seafood, and pizza. The area also has free billiards tables and a pinball machine, as well as a book library and an iMac computer for guests to surf the web. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the hotel, which has meeting space for up to 60 people. The fitness center has a treadmill and stationary bicycle, but it’s more strength-training focused, with free weights and multiple universal weight machines. Valet dry cleaning and laundry services are available. On-site parking is available in the hotel’s covered garaged, but it’s a expensive for Birmingham. Cheaper public parking options are nearby.