Review of Malmaison Hotel, by Caroline Major

Malmaison Birmingham Hotel is a luxury hotel in Birmingham, United Kingdom. This urban renewal offers a weekend break for some serious retail therapy. Inside the old Custard Factory, the Bullring and the Mailbox is a shopaholic's bliss-floors of futuristic shopping space painted with neon and sanitized with white - an indulgent escape from Old Blightys worst. 'Burm' it seems, got into bed with the European Union and woke up a fashionista.

The facilities

The luxury hotel is flanked by Harvey Nichols, Emporio Armani and DKNY. The chain offers well-heeled shoppers and savvy business travelers an address suitable for their carrier bags. Dark wood and neutral textiles accented with deep purple and crimson are slathered onto the large spaces. Rooms are spacious and common areas expansive.

Guests may enjoy a traditional brasserie dining experience with a modern twist at the luxury hotel's restaurant The Mal. All dishes are prepared using fresh local ingredients. Additionally, guests may delight in the Mal Bar's impressive wine list, sumptuous cocktails and bubbly champagne.

The rooms

Boasting 189 rooms and suites, amenities are as standard as the service at the luxury hotel. Like everything in Birmingham, though, the label is key, with packaged servings of name brands vying for attention in the mini-bar, 'Mal Music' in the CD player and sales guff in the bathroom with the toiletries. There are no surprises here.