Birmingham Special: Hotel du Vin, Birmingham

Just over a year ago, Birmingham's Eye Hospital, which dates back to 1884, was transformed into the city's most stylish hotel. A far cry from its institutional origins, the airy rooms, mirrored bars and a sunny central courtyard give it a continental feel. If you're here to pamper yourself, there's an excellent spa, a full-size gym, and a pool and billiards room. At ground level, several rooms off the courtyard can be booked out for private parties – with flamboyantly painted walls and original paintings aplenty, they look nothing like the standard corporate hangouts.

But the main attraction, as its name suggests, is wine. Not only do the bistro and the hotel's two bars boast enormous wine lists, but there's also a well-stocked Cave du Vin in the basement (that's an upmarket off-licence to you and me). If that hasn't quenched your thirst – or left you with the hangover from hell – the hotel has recently started running weekend wine courses.

Location, location, location

Hotel du Vin, Church Street, Birmingham (0121 236 0559; www.hotelduvin.com).

Transport: a 10-minute walk from New Street station, a 20-minute cab ride from Birmingham International Airport. A three-minute walk from the city's other terminus, Snow Hill.

Are you lying comfortably?

The 66 bedrooms cluster round the courtyard, each one sponsored by a different wine house. The furnishings are a kind of soft-centred masculine – dark wood furniture, velvety maroon bedcovers and huge, chrome power showers. Even with the mammoth beds, armchairs and desks, there's plenty of space. Comfort is a major factor – beds are made with Egyptian cotton sheets, baths are all out-sized and the mini-bar includes fresh milk and coffee (and a cafetière).

Freebies: Only the basics (soap, shower/bath gel and shampoo from Arran Aromatics), but what you do get comes in pretty glass bottles.

Keeping in touch: All rooms have phone and modem lines as well as satellite TVs.

The Bottom Line

Standard doubles start at £110, with superior rooms from £135 and suites from £175. And they'll throw in a child's bed for a tenner. My one niggle is that these prices don't include breakfast – an extra £9 per person.

I'm not paying that: Days Inn at the swanky new Mailbox development may not be as stylish, but you might not care when doubles start at £49.50 (0121 643 9344; www.daysinn.co.uk).