Where to stay in Birmingham?

[smashmakesmash]

Going with my 7 year old for a couple of days mid-July. Looking at doing Black Country museum, SeaLife, Back to Back, Lego, Cadbury world, canals, maybe somethign else like Safari. Will see what DD wants to do so want to position ourselves flexibly to enjoy the city. Obviously want it to be reasonably safe during the day and evening. We will have a car with us so need somewhere with reasonably priced parking. Prefer to leave car at hotel and use public transport if in the city. I'm open to areas out of centre if well-connected in term of roads and public transport.
Thinking of upper budget-lower mid-range hotels like Premier Inn or Holiday Inn Express but also a non-chain or quirky B and B also welcome!
But first need to settle on area. I don't know Birmingham at all so any advice or guidance will be helpful! Thanks!

[DrEllie]

When I go to Brum I stay at the Holiday Inn at Junction 7. Free parking, frequent (and cheap) buses to city. Good spot if you're doing the Black Country too. I used to live nearby and the gym at that hotel was where went and since I've moved away it is the hotel I use when I go back. Nothing flash but clean, comfortable and staff are nice

[Sorrento2014]

We have friends in Birmingham and always stay in a lovely guest house 2 mins from Cadbury World and 5 mins from Bournville train station with excellent connections/train directly into Birmingham etc called Old Farm Hotel, B30 1LA. Right in the heart of lovely Bournville village- which is very interesting in itself with a lot of history, lovely parks, old fashioned shops and unusual houses etc

[smashmakesmash]

Thank you both for your recs!
Just booked the Old Farm House

[Sorrento2014]

You'll love it there, very safe, parking, friendly feel. Look up Selly Manor and Uni of Birmingham just a few mins away with various exhibitions and museums etc. Enjoy your stay!

[SummaLuvin]

if you want to be quite central the Holliday Inn Express on Holliday Street is in a great location, and as it's fairly new I would imagine it is quite clean and modern.