Hotel du Vin Birmingham Hotel

25 Church St, Birmingham, West Midlands

Well deserving of the title ‘UK’s second city’, and with more waterways than Venice, there is no shortage of quality hotels in Brum these days. Set in a former eye hospital in the Jewellery Quarter, this Midlands outpost of Hotel du Vin is endemic of the Victorian era, with rusty red bricks, huge sash windows and dark-wood furnishings throughout. All rooms are styled individually with high- grade soft furnishings, while showers have more in common with the square footage of a stable than they do most bathrooms. Rumour has it that 38 builders were able to cram into the shower in the marquee Penfolds Grange suite when fitting it. The downstairs bistro is excellent, with a wine list worthy of the hotels’ storied reputation. MS. Doubles from £89. 0121 794 3005, hotelduvin.com