The Rollason Hotel (Birmingham, United Kingdom)

Rollason Wood is exactly what 3-stars suggest. Basic rooms and bathroom facilities, fair food, and an onsite sports pub, add up to a decent place for a temporary stay. It's a particularly perfect stopover for contract workers who have projects in the area.

Staff are lovely to be around, and to help with figuring out transit routes, arrange for taxis if need be, and give insider tips as to where some of the lesser known sites of interest are. It's a relaxing environment, and especially for single travellers who may be amongst a fair amount of group guests, a comfy and safe one.

Seeing Birmingham is a pleasure, when this is a base. It's not far from public transit, and in close proximity to several common sites, for guests who are driving. You can plan quite a schedule while staying here, and easily and affordably see most, if not all of your interests.

The ambience just doesn't work as well as it should or as it was advertised. The rooms need to be brighter, cleaner, and fresher, and many fixtures need to be fixed or replaced. It's a let-down to notice areas that still have dust, stains, or dirt, and to use furnishings that are clearly showing their use and age.

Poor Wi-Fi receptions and high noise levels at times are irritating. Be prepared to use alternate sources for internet signals, and have ear plugs handy.

Sometimes the breakfast is fantastic, and sometimes it tastes and appears as if reheated, processed, or previously frozen.