The best cheap hotels in Birmingham

A cosy, down-home hostel, with a range of accommodation options, from single rooms to dormitories holding 12. The eight-person POD dorm has individual curtains and reading lights. There’s a lounge and bar, a garden and a kitchen, and free wifi throughout. A continental breakfast is part of the deal. Not only central, but particularly handy for the coach station, BCB is also close to the Custard Factory arts and shopping hub.

A smart two-star hotel that looks a lot more expensive than it is (around £56 for a double room). The rooms are small but sleek and carefully designed to maximise space, with en suite monsoon shower wet rooms and soundproofed windows (though a few ‘cabins’ don’t have windows at all). More expensive apartment rooms are more spacious, with a living area, kitchenette and a dining area. The location is central – in the Jewellery Quarter.

Hatters hostel has a good location in the Jewellery Quarter (in a former silversmiths) and a range of lodgings. There are private rooms from around £50, including family-sized ones, and dorms with bunk beds. Communal areas are a TV room and a self-catering kitchen, plus there are laundry facilities and a book exchange scheme. A continental breakfast and wifi are included in the price.

A useful hotel if you’re in Birmingham to attend the National Exhibition Centre or to use the airport; the 300 car parking spaces might be handy too. Rooms from around £70 are simple but have power showers, tea -and-coffee-making facilities, a TV and a desk. The room rate includes free wifi and a hot buffet breakfast. There’s a bar and lounge, where food is served; late arrivals can take advantage of the 24-hour pizza menu.

Ibis Styles hotels are cheery, contemporary lodgings that offer a lot for your money – around £90 for a midweek room. These are modest but properly equipped, with en suite showers, tea -and-coffee-making facilities and free wifi. Breakfast is included in the room rate. As the name suggests, this one is in the heart of the city, with Birmingham New Street station a short walk away. There’s another Ibis Styles nearer to Birmingham Airport.

Smack dab in the city’s shopping centre, this is one of several Premier Inns in Birmingham. Simple rooms from as little as £50+ are decorated in the chain’s signature purple, and come with desks, TVs, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Family rooms are available, and there’s a restaurant. Wifi is complimentary but breakfast costs extra.