Garner Hotel Birmingham South East by IHG

Reviews

• GP

  Gill Polat

  4 days ago
  5.0
  We were in Birmingham for the reform conference and were lucky enough to chose an excellent hotel . The staff were efficient and friendly and the dinner and breakfast were excellent, the chef introduced himself to us and he went out of his way to ensure that we had a lovely meal . The room was excellent and it was lovely to have a bath in the ensuite.
• MH

  Mizzi H

  4 days ago
  2.0
  We arrived an hour before 3pm check in as we travelled from home which isn't local at all. The man on reception was rather rude and actually passive aggressive towards us. We didnt even say that we're early and let us check in early but he said I'm sorry but you haven't told us you need to check in early so we can't offer you this. We said we didnt even ask! We asked if we can sit somewhere and wait as our kids were with us he said no you can't we have an event in 30 mins so you can't wait here. Go shopping or somewhere and come back. He reluctantly let us put our luggage to one side. Not a good start. Luckily when we returned we were met by different staff Bushra and a different man who were helpful and this 2nd man was very friendly and welcoming. The breakfast was ok usual continental breakfast and we were asked to order if we want eggs hash browns etc - a hot breakfast. So no unlimited hot breakfast like other hotels and portions are tiny. We were served by Amina who was nice and friendly. The rooms are nice and clean. Very low pressure in shower only one bath towel available. Tea and kettle but no water.
• TR

  Tracey Royle

  4 days ago
  5.0
  We stayed here on a visit to Horse of the Year show. It was a perfect location. The rooms were lovely and clean, the food was freshly prepared and so tasty. But, the real star quality of this hotel is the staff. Everyone was so helpful, professional and so very friendly! Ameni, was on breakfast service and she never stopped. Her manner was lovely, she went the extra mile to make sure we had a good breakfast. She couldn't do more and all with a lovely smile. I have to mention the morning before my nephew wasn't too hungry at breakfast so the chef made him a sandwich to take away. Honestly the best staff ever. Thank you to all of you!
• SH

  Simon Harvison

  Oct 5, 2026
  1.0
  A great weekend completely spoiled by management and the appalling treatment of a vulnerable guest What should have been a fantastic weekend at the Garner Hotel was completely overshadowed by the behaviour of management and certain members of staff on Monday, 5 October. Up until Monday, we had thoroughly enjoyed our three-night stay. I would have happily recommended this hotel to friends and family and considered returning in the future. Unfortunately, what we witnessed on our final morning has left us with no desire to return. During breakfast, an elderly gentleman with significant disabilities and serious mobility difficulties made his way to the breakfast area. He was informed by a female staff member wearing a headscarf that he had missed breakfast. When he attempted to respond, she simply walked away mid-sentence, leaving him visibly upset and confused. It was genuinely distressing to witness such a vulnerable individual being treated with so little dignity, compassion or basic human decency. My partner, understandably upset by what we had witnessed, approached the same staff member and very politely asked whether it would be possible to prepare something for the gentleman. Her request was met with scoffing and tutting. Staff then begrudgingly began preparing something for him, loudly banging plates and creating an incredibly uncomfortable atmosphere. A simple act of kindness and a little flexibility could have made all the difference to this gentleman. Instead, he was made to feel like an inconvenience. What happened next made the situation even more disappointing. Shortly after my partner intervened, the manager approached our table in what felt like a retaliatory manner. In an unnecessarily accusatory tone, we were asked, “Have you paid for those coffees yet? Those are not included.” For context, the coffee machine was situated in a public area of the hotel. Throughout our three-night stay, we had used it each morning in full view of other staff members, and at no point had anyone informed us that payment was required. We had also witnessed numerous other guests using the machine without being asked to pay. The manager then brought a card machine directly to our table and demanded payment. We paid without hesitation, as the cost of the coffee was never the issue. It was the timing, the accusatory approach and the manner in which we were treated that made the interaction so uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we subsequently witnessed other guests continuing to use the same machine without being approached or asked to pay. Given the timing, immediately after my partner had spoken up on behalf of the elderly gentleman, it was difficult not to feel that we were being deliberately singled out. What disappoints me most is that none of this needed to happen. We had enjoyed a lovely weekend, and this could easily have been a five-star review. Instead, we left feeling deeply uncomfortable and genuinely appalled by the lack of compassion shown towards an elderly, disabled guest. Hospitality is about more than providing a room and serving breakfast. It is about treating people with kindness, dignity and respect, particularly those who may need a little extra assistance. I sincerely hope senior management takes this incident seriously, reviews the conduct of the staff involved and considers whether additional training in disability awareness, customer service and the treatment of vulnerable guests is required. I would have loved to recommend this hotel and return in the future, but after witnessing the events of Monday morning, I simply cannot do so in good conscience.
• TM

  Tetiana Del Mondo

  Oct 2, 2026
  5.0
  An interesting building to notice while exploring Acocks Green. What is now Garner Hotel has a connection to the older history of Sherbourne Road. No. 49 was once known as Bridge House and was already standing by the 1870s; in the 1891 census it was home to George Mayell, a local jeweller. Today the site has a completely different life as a modern hotel, but I love discovering these layers of Birmingham, where an ordinary-looking building can quietly preserve traces of Victorian suburban history. Another small reminder that history is often hiding in plain sight.