A Victorian red brick building on Church Street. Wrought iron railings curling up a sweeping staircase. A wine cellar lined with bottles from every region you can think of. Hotel du Vin Birmingham does not try to hide what it is. It leans into it.
The hotel sits in the former Birmingham and Midland Eye Hospital, a building that first opened its doors in 1884 and served the people of this city for well over a century. That fact alone sets it apart from the chain hotels that populate the Colmore district. The walls have a story. The rooms, because of the building's original design, are all slightly different. No identikit suites. No sense that you could be anywhere.
A Piece of Birmingham
"For me, it starts with the building and its connection to Birmingham's story. Hotel du Vin has always been about breathing new life into buildings with real character, and our Birmingham hotel is a wonderful example of that."
The location matters too. On the edge of the Jewellery Quarter, an area that has been at the heart of Birmingham's manufacturing and craftsmanship heritage for generations. That sense of creativity, independence and pride in quality is woven into the fabric of the neighbourhood and, Brittney argues, into the experience of staying there.
"We want each hotel to reflect its destination. In Birmingham, that means embracing the city's rich industrial heritage, its spirit of reinvention and the character of a landmark Victorian building that has been thoughtfully transformed."
Guests aren't just staying in a hotel; they're staying in a building that has played a part in Birmingham's history.
Brittney Crawley
Across the Hotel du Vin collection, the approach is consistent. Find buildings with a genuine story. Celebrate the local culture that surrounds them. Rather than creating the same experience in every city, let the destination shape the stay. In Birmingham, that means a building where no two rooms are alike because the original architecture will not allow it. Guests are not just staying in a hotel. They are staying in a building that has played a part in Birmingham's history.
People Make the Place
The building sets the stage. The team brings it to life.
"It really comes down to our people. Many of the team have strong connections to Birmingham and are passionate about sharing the city with our guests, whether that's recommending hidden gems in the Jewellery Quarter, sharing stories about the local area, or helping visitors experience Birmingham beyond the usual tourist trail."
The hotel also takes pride in using its Victorian character as a conversation point with guests, helping bring the building's history to life. Combined with the warm, personal service Hotel du Vin is known for, it creates an experience that feels authentic to Birmingham rather than something that could be replicated anywhere else.
It creates an experience that feels authentic to Birmingham rather than something that could be replicated anywhere else.
Brittney Crawley
Wine First
At its heart, Hotel du Vin began with a love of wine. The brand was founded on the idea of making great wine approachable, paired with simple, high quality food enjoyed in a relaxed and welcoming setting. That philosophy still shapes everything they do.
"Our Bistro du Vin menu is designed to complement that experience, taking inspiration from classic French bistro dining while celebrating seasonal ingredients and honest, flavour led cooking. The focus is on creating dishes that work beautifully alongside our carefully curated wine list, allowing guests to explore new pairings and enjoy wine as part of the overall dining experience, rather than simply an accompaniment."
It is a deliberate return to roots. Great wine, great food and great hospitality, brought together in a setting that encourages people to relax, connect and enjoy themselves. The wine cellar at Birmingham, with its brick walls and country labelled racks, candles flickering against vintage bottles, is the physical embodiment of that philosophy.
There's something quite magical about enjoying a meal surrounded by bottles from our carefully curated collection.
Brittney Crawley
Listening, Not Just Telling
The ambassador programme has changed how the venue relates to its own city. These are not promotional exercises. They are listening exercises.
"Our ambassadors bring different perspectives, experiences and audiences, and they've helped us better understand what matters to people in Birmingham today. We've built on that through a series of round table sessions, bringing together both new and familiar faces from a variety of backgrounds to have open, honest conversations."
"It's less about us telling our story and more about listening to theirs. Whether it's feedback on our food and drink offering, events, community engagement or the overall guest experience, those conversations help us understand where we can improve and how we can better reflect the city we're part of."
Getting the right people around the table, as anyone who has attended one of these dinners will attest, creates a genuine two way dialogue. The chance to learn from the people who know Birmingham best, ensuring the hotel continues to evolve in a way that feels relevant, inclusive, and connected to the local community. That, Brittney says, has been the real value of the partnership.
Hotel du Vin Birmingham. Church Street. A building with a story, a team with local pride, and a wine cellar worth finding.