Pls help - planning a week-end away using Intercontinental group (Crown Plaza/Holiday Inn)

[BananaSkin]

X posted.
DH has a birthday coming up and I have said I will organise something, but plan to keep the destination a surprise.

Like a lot of people, we are a bit worried about job security at the moment, so it seems to make sense to use the Intercontinental group as he uses them a lot of work and has a shed load of points stored up - so we could go free and have more fun spending money on other activities.

Does anyone have experience of a particularly nice hotel/location in this group (indeed, is there such a thing?).

Thank you.

Generally the crowne plazas are the higher marque so have better service/comfort/state of decor.

You best bet is probably to go to the website and find a Crowne Plaza in a location you like.

Thanks DadinsteadofMum - but that's the problem, I went on the website and they are all in fairly dull places. Even the one in Marlow, Bucks, is stuck near an industrial estate. Just wondered if anyone knew of any that bucked that trend.

Didn't realise that Crowne Plaza were better though - so thanks for that.

Hi,
Not sure if you were looking for a city break or not but my mum and stepdad have just returned from a weekend in Birmingham where they stayed in the Crowne Plaza in the city centre on the recommendation of her brother. Seemed an odd location for a weekend break but she hasn't stopped raving about the hotel and Birmingham itself - so much so that DH and I are considering going too! Exterior photo doesnt look too brilliant but the internal ones are nice. See here:www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/925/en/hpt/BHXCT/1/pt?ptLink=hd. HTH

THe CP in Cambridge is in the centre of the city.

Live in the South West and happy to travel two hours. Birmingham looks good actually. Do you know what they did in Birmingham? Would need to be child friendly.

Cambridge nice but a bit far this time, thanks.