Highlights

Incredible views from the top floor of Birmingham's iconic Rotunda

Bespoke reinvented-Sixties design, from felt lamps to hand-stitched sofas

Steps from the Bulliung shopping mega-complex and the lures of the city centre

Full Poggenpohl kitchens with juicers and coffee makers.

Guestbook

'What a find! My apartment was truly one of the most special places I have ever stayed. It’s not only unique and exciting to look out from, but also a joy to love and wake up in.'

'Great views, stunning and unusual design, topped off by fantastic service. I’ll be back.'

Smith tip

Birmingham’s art galleries are all worth a head-around-the-door, but two are especially ogle-able. The Custard Factory (www.custardfactory.com) is more than just a name – it’s where Alfred Bird first started making the sweet yellow stuff. Now it’s a vast riverside complex housing 500 artist’s studios, galleries, cafés and shops. St Paul’s Gallery (www.stpaulsgallery.com) is home to the world’s largest collection of signed album artwork. So, if you’re after Peter Blake’s Sergeant Pepper, Bowie’s Hunky Dory or the Sex Pistols’ God Save the Queen, this is the place to whip out your chequebook.

More photos

Staying Cool Rotunda

Birmingham, United Kingdom[view map]

Style: Tall storeys
Setting: Bullring-side seat

Britain’s second city has had quite the makeover over the course of the last decade, shaking off its industrial past to become a cultural hub of cutting-edge design, high-end shopping and gastronomy. Where better to locate a collection of super-luxurious self-catering apartments? After conquering Manchester, Stayingcool have taken over the top two floors of Birmingham’s towering Rotunda in the city centre, opening 15 hip and homely apartments inspired by swinging-Sixties style and slick contemporary cool. Bespoke design pieces such as pink-patterened Lou Rota Polymorph chairs, sleek charcoal Naughtone sofas, and Nick Smith’s retro-style photo-portraits clamour for your attention, but when you’ve got horizon-sweeping views from floor-to-ceiling windows, it can be hard to focus on the decor.

Need to know

Rates

Prices go up at the weekend, with a ‘Mini’ studio in the range of £129–£160 a night, a larger ‘Clubman’ at £155–£185, ‘two-bed Maxis’ at £245–£295, and the ‘Roadster’ penthouse suite costing £325–£375.

Sleeps

Two to four in each apartment – 15 in total.

Ideal for

Urban adventures, alternative business breaks, summers in the city.

Minimum hire

The one-night hire period is from 3pm to noon the next day, but check-out can be flexible, subject to availability.

Property style

Sexed-up Sixties apartments

Grounds

Even though Staying Cool’s apartments are in a 20-storey tower in the heart of Birmingham, there’s still room for green space – there’s access to a communal lawn from the second floor of the Rotunda, where a barbecue and deck chairs await.

Also

Staying Cool apartments are non-smoking – there’s a £100 cleaning charge for rule-flaunters. Pets are not allowed.

In the know

Eating and drinking

Each apartment features a dining table with space for four (the table on the penthouse balcony has table for two). The fully fitted Poggenpohl kitchens each include an oven, hob, microwave, fridge and dishwasher, and there are juicers and Baby Gaggia coffee makers too. You can have your fridge stocked before your arrival. The team at Staying Cool will do a Waitrose supermarket sweep on request to provide a range of delicious breakfast options, or a bespoke shop to suit. Staying Cool apartments come stocked with the basics (milk, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, oranges for the juicer, oils and vinegar), and you can order special breakfast packages containing everything from smoked salmon and bagels to the full English. Staying Cool staff will happily do a shop for you beforehand if there’s anything specil you require – let them know when you book. The Rotunda’s reception will also receive delivered groceries – try www.tesco.com, www.ocado.com or www.sainsburystoyou.com if you’d like to order in.

Housekeeping

Towels are changed twice a week, and there’s one complimentary apartment service for very seven-day stay (extra services are £11 a day).

Entertainment

The apartment sound systems are centred on a Mac Mini, which allows you to play CDs or select one of Staying Cool’s preprepared iTunes playlists. There are Bose iPod docks too. Staying Cool guests can enlist the help for a personal shopper from Stylizers to reinvent their wardrobe during their stay, and spa and massage treatments can be organised in your apartment.

Provided

LG plasma TV, Mac Mini, DVD player, WiFi, bedlinen, towels, Staying Cool-branded toiletries, washing machine, iron, Illy coffee, teas, milk, oils, sauces.

Packing tips

A head for heights – the view can be dizzying. Bring some binoculars to spy on the shoppers below. Even if you forget something, Birmingham city centre has pretty much everything to hand, and Staying Cool staff may be able to help too.

Eco policy

The Rotunda is powered by Ecotricity – wind-farm energy, and Stayingc Cool has a recycling programme in place if you separate your rubbish. Ecover cleaning products are used wherever possible.

For a detailed description of all the rooms and grounds, click here

Also worth knowing

Children: Babies are welcome, but the fully opening floor-to-ceiling windows 75m above the ground may be a worry if you have toddlers under five (there are guard rails, however). The Mini apartments are ideal for teenagers.

Smith card offer

A bottle of champagne for each couple

If you're a member of Mr & Mrs Smith, you can get special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through us. Just show your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page (like the one above).

Click here to become a Mr & Mrs Smith member