Ideal for NEC Halls

Advantages: Great location for NEC, Large beds
Disadvantages: Restaurant small and very busy

...I used this hotel when visiting the Caravan and Boat Show in the NEC Halls and also the next day a different hall for the France exhibition. It is conveninetly located as you drive past all the halls to get to it. It would be an approx 15 minute walk from the hotel to the main halls and apparently there is a shorter route that can be taken but when I was there this was blocked up or a 2 minute trip in the car. The hotel has been extended in the last year and is very popular so it's advised to book in advance. This hotel frequently has offers on the room rates, so it's worth keeping an eye out for. The staff are very polite and friendly as soon as you walk in, checking in was very quick and efficient. The room was very spacious and very clean and I loved the huge bed, which was surprisingly comfortable if a little firm. The en...

Sassy21 24.02.2009 · Read review
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Review of Premier Travel Inn Birmingham - NEC/Airport, Birmingham

Arena

Advantages: Some good tracks
Disadvantages: You don't get the feel of being there

...Back in the 80's the world was, shall we say, a colourful place, the boys were as pretty as the girls and all our fashion sense was terrible. Still it wasn't all bad and the era produced a wide range of musical styles and legendary bands, one of my favourite groups of the time is Duran Duran. Arena is a selection of live recordings from the groups concerts and consist of tracks from 3 of the bands album releases "Duran Duran" "Rio" and "Seven & the ragged tiger" the only albums the group had released before Arena was put together. It also features the new track, or at least it was new at the time of release back in '84, "wild boys" The track listing is as follows- 1-Is there something I should know 2-Hungry like the wolf 3-New religion 4-Save a prayer 5-Wild boys 6-The seventh stranger 7-The chauffer 8-Union of the snake 9...

piggypine 14.03.2008 · Read review
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Review of Arena [Remastered] - Duran Duran

Botanical Birmingham

Advantages: Plenty to see, a relaxing escape from the city.
Disadvantages: Expensive for a one-off visit. Disappointing restaurant.

...Every city need its green spaces. The architecture may be spectacular and the shops fantastic, but finding a place to escape the traffic and bustle is a necessity for most city dwellers. Picture Birmingham and what do you see? The Bullring, New Street Station and Spaghetti Junction would be the first things that come to my mind. Although I've never lived in Birmingham itself, I worked there for several years. During that time I went to the Botanical Gardens regularly, but for the purposes of this review I will focus on my most recent visit which was August 2008. A Brief History Celebrity gardeners are not a new phenomenon. In the nineteenth century J.C Loudon was an influential writer on gardening and became part of London's high society. He designed the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in 1830 to provide a place where keen...

JoannaPiano 31.10.2008 (02.11.2008) · Read review
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Review of Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham International Airport - 2008

Advantages: Big enough to get the destinations, small enough to care
Disadvantages: Complex road system to get there

...life I suppose. Other than that, I'm very happy with Birmingham. If it's in an area that's good for you, why not have a look at the airport website - www.bhx.com - where you can find out more about the airlines that use the airport as well as information about trains from the nearby Birmingham International Station. Unfortunately I can't tell you anything about that as I've never been. One final point to make would be to point out that Birmingham airport is only a few minutes walk from the NEC (National Exhibition Centre) which is an important venue for concerts, sports events and trade show....

koshkha 11.02.2008 · Read review
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Review of Birmingham (BHX)

Cardiff International Arena

Advantages: great location
Disadvantages: expensive inside

...and shows. Generally i have only been to concerts there so I can not comment on anyother event that happens there. When you first enter the CIA there are some charming people on the door waiting to check your tickets ect. Honestly they are not the most cheerful people i have ever met but then would you be with hundreds of giggling and excited women coming through the door? When you get throught th doors you are in the main foya where you can buy some refreshments which are over priced hugley so i tend to bring stuff with me as i think its a rip off paying well over the odds but then they have to make there money i guess. There are CIA staff floating around so you can ask them to check your ticket and they will point you in the right direction to your seat. When entering the main arena you will notice that it is all seated (it was on my...

kirstymartin1984 24.03.2008 · Read review
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Review of Cardiff International Arena

Jamiroquai at Birmingham NEC

Advantages: Fantastic seats in a great venue
Disadvantages: Being heavily pregnant!

...'s and decided to form his own band! Thank heavens for that. It was their big loss. I got tickets for their first UK performance at the NEC in Birmingham for 7 September 2005. I was 8 months pregnant but felt very energetic and able to withstand dancing in my seat all evening. I had lots of looks and comments - "wow, you're brave" or "don't drop now". As at the last concert I went to, while we were waiting for the support act to come on, a really good mix tape was played, so good that I would have purchased it, had it been on offer. We walked around the arena, buying food that was outrageously expensive, as was the tour merchandise. I didn't buy anything this time, as you can buy it all online from the Jam shop at a later date. It's a fact of life that these items are overpriced, and at concerts you can get caught up in the moment and buy things...

lollyparker 07.05.2006 · Read review
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Review of Jamiroquai

A bridge too far in Birmingham

Advantages: Now unique in the UK - the only representative of the Hyatt
Disadvantages: Very average compared against the standards of this chain

...at the NEC Arena. Although it was after 11pm, the bar was still busy and all the easy chairs were taken. We perched on stools at the counter. At that time they were serving ?residents only? on a room tariff. THE ENVIRONS There is certainly a lot to see and do immediately around the hotel. Just across Broad Street is the Symphony Hall (home of the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) to which it communicates by bridge from the sixth floor of the hotel. In the same block is the Repertory Theatre, The Birmingham International Conference Centre, the National Sea Life Centre and a number of galleries. Weaving through these buildings is the Birmingham Canal system including one of the docking areas for canal and narrow boats ? Gas Street Basin. There is a very pleasant canal walk that passes along the toe path. The area is rich in coffee shops...

Newfloridian 14.09.2003 · Read review
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Review of Hyatt Regency, Birmingham

Sheffield's Largest Indoor Arena!

Advantages: Large Seating Capacity And Flexible Seating Plans
Disadvantages: Expensive Bar Prices

...Since its official opening by Her Majesty The Queen on the 31st May 1991 the Sheffield Hallam FM Arena has established itself as one of the most prominent venues in the city. It was originally designed and built to host the World Student Games, which were held in Sheffield in 1992. Since this time it has received over 7 million visitors and hosted a multitude of live sporting and musical events. It has also hosted many exhibitions and conferences. My most recent visit to this place was a few days ago when I went here to see the Scissor Sisters and a thoroughly enjoyable night was had by all. It is this most recent visit which has prompted me to write this review. THE HISTORY The Hallam FM Arena occupies a 19-acre site in an area to the East of Sheffield City Centre known as the Lower Don Valley. Historically this was the area...

micksheff 06.12.2006 · Read review
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Review of The Sheffield Hallam FM Arena

Mayhem at the Arena

Advantages: Brilliant club with an excellent sound system
Disadvantages: can get a few random people there!

...Arena is a fantsatic club in Amsterdam. With many clubs closing down due to drug busts, old age or random fires (like what happened with club Roxy) Arena is one of the best nights left. A variety of music graces the decks the nights I have visited it has been a mixture of house/trance/progressive music. The atmospere is electric, it is usually quite busy and generally the people are wicked. unfortunately I have run into a few random people the last couple of times I was there. But it takes all sorts to make the world go round and you will always get a few starnge people where ever you go!! The soundsystem is another plus, the music is clear and distinct, it's not muffled at all. It's not too loud either, some clubs can be unbareable and you leave with your ears ringing, Arena isn't like this however. The decor is quality and it...

carminator 10.07.2003 · Read review
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Review of Club Arena

Papagayo Arena

Advantages: All inclusive
Disadvantages: Miles from anywhere

...for some reason a shoe brush!! A hair drier was also included. The hotel has 3 large pools, all located on the roof (which was on a lower level than reception!) There was never any shortage of sunbeds. The hotel also had a crazy golf course, a jacuzzi, a bar, and a games area with pool table etc. On the whole I would recommend this as a place to stay if all you're looking for is somewhere to spend a nice peaceful week - no good though if you want to go on a pub crawl each evening as there aren't any nearby! If we go back to Lanzarote we will definitely consider the Papagayo Arena again....

pudsey76 04.09.2006 · Read review
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Review of Papagayo Arena Hotel, Lanzarote