Solihull

Solihull sits just south-east of Birmingham and has a noticeably different feel from the city next door — leafier, quieter, and built more around a traditional town centre than a big-city core.

The town centre itself is anchored by Touchwood, a large shopping centre that sits alongside the older high street, and the two together give Solihull one of the more substantial retail offerings in the wider West Midlands outside Birmingham itself. Away from the shops, the borough has a reputation as one of the more affluent and suburban parts of the metropolitan county, with a good deal of green space and a slower pace than the conurbation's industrial towns.

Why people stay here

Solihull's real advantage for visitors is location: it sits right next to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), one of the UK's largest exhibition and events venues, and immediately by Birmingham Airport, making it a popular base for anyone attending a conference, exhibition or flying in or out rather than sightseeing in Birmingham itself. It's also well placed for the wider region, with easy road and rail links back into central Birmingham.

Where to Stay in Solihull

• 
  voco St. John's Solihull by IHG — a town centre hotel with an indoor pool, near Touchwood.
• 
  Premier Inn Solihull Town Centre — close to Touchwood shopping centre and the Solihull Arts Complex.
• 
  Arden Hotel & Leisure Club — near the NEC, Resorts World and Birmingham Airport.
• 
  Holiday Inn Express Birmingham Airport NEC — a few minutes' drive from the NEC and airport terminal.
• 
  Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Airport — in Bickenhill, a short walk from the airport terminal.

Getting around

Solihull railway station and Birmingham International station (serving both the NEC and the airport) both have direct trains into Birmingham city centre, usually well under 20 minutes. Birmingham Airport is within walking distance of Birmingham International station via a short automated people-mover.