Coventry, United Kingdom (Review #2) –
On a recent trip to the West Midlands, I found myself in need of lodging while visiting Coventry. As luck would have it, I would cross paths with the upper-upscale IHG brand Hotel Indigo, known for its boutique nature and neighbourhood-adapted style to give each property their own distinct identity. I had stayed at one in Scotland in recent months, and was keen to give them another go. This hotel was particularly brand new, opening in 2024 and featuring 101 rooms. I paid £110/€125 per night for this weekend stay including breakfast, which I thought was great value given that it is one of the only premium options in the area. The property furthermore had a 4.6 external rating on Google at the time of the initial review.
Arrival and Check-In
The hotel is well-located, just walking distance in between the main train station and the city centre. As I disembarked the train, the outline and logo of Hotel Indigo was immediately visible from the station entrance, which made navigating my first visit to Coventry a lot more convenient. Entering the lobby was an experience in itself. The space was incredibly well-designed, with portrayals of Lady Godiva, set to an immensely colourful background. This is on top of the 1958 Austin-Healy parked by reception, which also featured a bunny at the steering wheel to likely celebrate the coming of spring. Check-in was handled very optimally, with the receptionist mentioning a fully stocked bar for my allotted room, before then giving helpful pointers of where to eat that evening in town.
The Room
Upon stepping into the elevators, I knew I was in for quite the stay. The lift was adorn with newspaper clippings related to Coventry’s history, which further elevated the experience right from the start. The room itself very much delivered, and was just as stunning and intricately curated as the lobby and rest of the hotel, featuring a soft king-size bed with duvet, equally soft pillows, a flatscreen TV with a personalised welcome message, a large desk and chair, a separate armchair, and a minifridge with complementary beverages, alongside a historically themed telephone, an iron and ironing board, and safe. The TV itself had a custom interface, which contained hotel information, and nearby landmarks, among other tidbits, further supplemented by the fast free WiFi (50mbps) and several power outlets throughout. The bathroom was modern, with a large single sink, newer toilet, shower with both regular and rainforest showerheads, and toiletries from Biology. Being a Hotel Indigo, there were many parts of the room that emphasised the identity of Coventry. One wall showcased the city map surrounded by bicycle wheels, while frames and even mugs also depicted bicycle-related designs. Put simply, I was well and truly in awe with my accommodation for the night.
Amenities and Dining
My prior experience with Hotel Indigo noted that the breakfast was the highlight, and this stay was certainly no different. The waitress expertly explained what would be in store for me that morning upon arriving at the Cogs Bar & Kitchen, the main and only restaurant, before then attentively assisting me as I navigated what was on offer. The options were actually more plentiful this time around, with a phenomenal selection of pastries, cereals and muesli, fruit, and breakfast meats, not to mention juices, smoothies, tea, and coffee. Beyond the buffet, guests can order 1 fresh hot meal item, and I personally opted for the buttermilk pancakes with blueberries (a good choice, I might add). Separately, amenities at this hotel were decent, including a well-stocked gym in addition to the restaurant’s onsite bar.
Trip Conclusion
Check-out from the hotel was handled well by reception, being both quick and polished overall. I was asked if I enjoyed my time at the Hotel Indigo, to which I replied that it was perhaps one of my most memorable stays from recent memory. I left the property to continue on with my short excursion in the West Midlands, looking forward to the next opportunity I receive to return.
Overall Assessment
Hotels rated by Getaways Guide are judged across 5 key criteria: namely: Room, Soft Product, Food, Amenities, and Price. The room was truly a delight to behold with so much character but also a clear premium touch, 5/5 stars. The staff were informal, but very much on brand for a Hotel Indigo, still showcasing an incredible sense of both professionalism and warmth in our interactions, going out of their way to make the stay even more enjoyable, 5/5 stars. Hotel Indigo buffets have set a standard and one that I would look forward to expecting for future visits, 5/5 stars. Amenities were decent, but having a bit more to do would have further enhanced the stay further, 3/5 stars. Finally, the price of £110/€125 per night, even while other 4-stay hotels offered a similar price, felt more than worth it overall, especially when noting an observation of prices more than quadrupling on certain times throughout the year, 4/5. In summary, Hotel Indigo Coventry managed to do everything just right, balancing perfectly both the uniqueness it strives for without needing to compromise on the high-quality and upper-upscale atmosphere. I would in all truth return to Coventry just to stay at this property again, and I will happily be expecting no less in quality and delivery for other premium boutique properties going forward.
4.5 Stars (Getaways Guide Highly Recommended)
Added Insights
The Coventry Transport Museum is an excellent stop to make on a visit to learn more about Coventry’s rich bicycle and automobile manufacturing industries and their decades of history, as having been alluded to by the hotel’s motif.
