Aria Bistro @ The Hyatt Regency Birmingham, United Kingdom

During our stay at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham (Please see also review.) for one night in October 2015 we had dinner at Aria Bistro in the heart of the hotel.

It looked romantic with trees, colorful furniture, shelves with vases, the water feature and a wall depicting what occupations Birmingham had in the past, like Buckle Maker, Buttonier, Pewterer and Sword Maker.

The cuisine was modern with local and international dishes.

The staff was attentive and friendly.

We ordered a bottle of Belu water, one hot chocolate made with soya milk, smoked Duarte Salmon, blue figs and Stilton, two blackened Atlantic Salmon with Cassoulet and Chorizo and one panna cotta with raspberry sorbet to share.

A rustic fresh bread selection was served with salted and unsalted butter.

The food was delicious and the blue figs and Stilton starter especially interesting.

The Chorizo added a nice smokiness and spice to the Cassoulet.

There was a small mistake in the invoice (two hot chocolates were charged, but we had only one). It was easily corrected and no problem at all.

The bill came in at 67.85 GBP (ca. 85.80 Euro / ca. 94.50 USD).

When staying at the Hyatt Regency again we will return to Aria

©2016

Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown Dublin, Ireland

 Sorry for not updating my blog for a long time. Unfortunately I was extremely busy due to a new job. Hope the wait was worth it. :)

During November 2014 we stayed twice at the Crowne Plaza Dublin-Blanchardstown. A few years earlier we had stayed there already, but while the rooms are nice, the food quality had been low in our opinion at the time, so we didn't return until now, having read a positive review in a local newspaper about their Forchetta Italian Restaurant.

The location is good for shopping at Blanchardstown Shopping Center and upscale dining options. We recommend beside the Forchetta Restaurant in the hotel, Wagamama for Asian casual lunch or dinner.

Access is easy from the airport with the Urbus or from the city center with a number of Buses, for example 39a.The bus stops are located opposite the hotel.


The Crowne Plaza is unusual. It is inspired by nature. Two parrots are kept in a cage in the lobby and called Bubble & Squeak. It is an attraction for old and young. We enjoyed watching them for a while.

The lobby is large with the Sanctuary Bar and Forchetta Restaurant to the right and the reception to the left.

Even though we hadn't stayed for a longer time there, we were recognized on both occassions as returning guests, which was positive.

We booked an entrance category room and received the same on both occassions. The first time there was a bottle of red wine, free water and a fruit basket waiting for us, because we were just one stay away from achieving Gold status at the IHG Priority Club Rewards program and also a voucher for a free dessert at Forchetta Restaurant. The next time we only received a bottle of water. By then we were already gold members It was inconsistent and disappointing to be treated that way, especially after we've achieved Gold with IHG.

The flower theme continued in all the rooms. The silver tapestry was especially beautiful. Each room was comfortable and had different color schemes, lay outs and views.

One room was held in red, had views over the motorway and a seating area at the window. The other was kept in blue tones and had a seating area in front of the bed and views over the shopping mall.

We preferred the layout of the first room which might have been an Deluxe room on a higher floor.

On both occasions we also had dinner. Forchetta serves Italian cuisine. We enjoyed the meals including toasted bread with cod, gnocci and Panna Cotta. It was delicious and the value good.

Breakfast was a different matter and unfortunately not so high quality as the dinner was, so we had it only once.
There was a dish I liked. The breakfast potatoes are delicious.

All staff were warm and efficient.

Would we return? Maybe. If we need some additional points or take part at a promotion.

 ©2014