Pic: The Bull at Bullring Shopping Mall Birmingham (Jun 2012)
Birmingham, my sixth Brussels Airlines Flyday destination.  Once again, thanks to the IHG 2-for-1 discount rate, I managed to stay two nights abroad for less than €100.  In fact, this time I paid £59 (€75 on amex) for two nights at  Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre.  Not the most fancy hotel in town, the exterior looks a bit dated, but with recently refurbished rooms and located conveniently around the corner of Birmingham New Street station.  If your budget allows, I would recommend the new Hotel Indigo Birmingham located at the fantastic Cube building next to the upscale shopping mall The Mailbox.

Pic: Double Bed room at Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre (Jun 2012)
Being the the most populous British city outside the capital London, I was surprised to find Birmingham City Centre quite compact with many streets pedestrianized.  Most things to see and do can be reached on foot from the major hotels in town.  If found Birmingham less exciting than Bristol, but fans of shopping and nightlife will love it for sure.  Several new shopping malls are frequented by thousands every weekend.  The most impressive one being the Bullring featuring the iconic Selfridges department store.  Nightlife enthusiast, whom can cope with typical English partiers and their behaviour, should check Bond Street, home of many clubs including the famous Gatecrasher.

Pic: Victoria Square, City Centre, Birmingham (Jun 2012)
Pic: The River fountain at Victoria Square Birmingham (Jun 2012)

Pic: Chamberlain Square, City Centre, Birmingham (Jun 2012)

Pic: The Golden Boys statue on Broad Street (Boulton, Watt and Murdoch)

Pic: Anonymous demo at Victoria Square, Birmingham (June 9, 2012)

Pic: The new Brussels Airlines Bombardier DH8 Q400 operated by Flybe