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FREEDOM STAFF VISIT BIRMINGHAM

Some of the Freedom staff were out partying in the city of Birmingham this weekend.

Mixing work with pleasure, we need to know that our weekend packages are up to scratch. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it!!!

Unsurprisingly, we opted for the Luxury accommodation and were duly booked into the Crowne Plaza Hotel, easy to find by car, parking below the hotel (we do like life made easier) and only a 5 minute walk from the train station – literally, we timed it.

We knew the hotel had just recently had a refurb, but even so were well impressed with the ambience of the place. The reception staff were lovely and so helpful, just took one look at us and knew we’d want the low down on the shops. We got a map and clear directions – quality service!

The rooms were modern, trendy and funky, but we follow the mantra always judge a hotel by the quality of the bathrooms. All the boxes were ticked, fluffy robes, gorgeously soft towels, square sink (cool), huge shower and room at the mirror for both of us to touch up our make-up. Yes we were very happy.

We didn’t want to waste valuable shopping time and headed straight out. The Bullring offers all the usual high street names you could think of, whilst The Mailbox will test your credit card to its limit with the designer shops. Again our hotel was perfectly located, with The Mailbox as its neighbour and just a short walk to the Bullring.

We’re not sure whether anyone has told Birmingham that we’ve a credit crunch in our midst. The place was buzzing, the hotel almost fully booked and the cafes had queues of hungry diners. What a refreshing change.

Shopped out we returned to the hotel. Even though it was before 5 pm the bar area was well populated (that’s inviting, we don’t like a deserted bar) and so it would have been rude not to join our fellow guests and sample the wine on offer. A large glass went down very well and rather quickly!

We were booked into the Revolution Bar for a cocktail making lesson at 6, so tested that huge shower – it passed with flying colours – and got on our glad rags. Revolution could really be a one-stop party venue, it’s possible to just go through the doors, enjoy the atmosphere, eat, drink and party all under one roof.

Alex, our cocktail tutor, was just great. Funny, knowledgeable and kept those cocktails coming for us to taste. We had a go ourselves, not as good as his, we obviously need more practice. The Raspberry Mojito is the business – you heard it first here! We can heartily recommend cocktail training for your stag, hen or special birthday, everyone gets involved, you get pizza and potato wedges to share and of course you finish all the cocktails that Alex has so expertly mixed!

You’ll find Revolution Bar on Broad Street, only a 10 minute walk from our hotel. Along with other popular bars and the Comedy Club – our next stop.
Time for a boatload of laughs. The place was heaving as we took our seats just before 8, giving us time to review the drinks menu and order a cocktail pitcher (we recommend you stick with the wine and beer, maybe it’s just that we’d been spoilt by Alex, but couldn’t taste much alcohol).

The MC was clearly a funny man through to his bones and soon had the packed house belly laughing. The female comedian then fell flat, in fact she was dire, but that in itself was funny as she tried to control the crowd and failed. Thankfully our funny MC was back and the last two guys were hilarious – all in all a good show and the waiters were attentive enough to keep the drinks flowing.

Our neighbouring table were a stag party up from London. The Stag dressed as Mary Poppins and the boys as chimney sweeps – that’s a new one to us for fancy dress! They looked to be having a good time and weren’t at all rowdy, misbehaved or too drunk – good.

After the show, some tables and chairs are cleared and it’s over to the DJ to get you up and dancing. We’ve not the stamina of you younger ones and opted out of the disco in favour of a leisurely walk back to our hotel and another glass of wine.

We’d pre-ordered our preference for pillows: 1 for soft duck down, 2 for firmer etc etc etc and they did the job as we were asleep all too soon.

Breakfast is served until 11 am, how civilised, not too early and is all you would want and more. Self service with freshly cooked replacements arriving all the time, cereals, fruit, toast and of course the big boy cooked breakfast – delicious.

And so it was time for home. One night is just not long enough and we will definitely be returning to Birmingham – we loved it!!!!
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