Crowne Plaza Solihull by IHG

Touchwood on the Doorstep: Why This Location Solves Problems for Leisure and Business Visitors Alike

Step outside the hotel and Touchwood shopping centre is directly opposite. This is not a vague proximity claim. The centre is close enough that guests can use its restaurants, cinema and shops as the default answer to "what shall we do today?" For a suburban hotel in this part of the Midlands, this is a genuine locational advantage that few comparable properties can match.

The surrounding streets are immaculately clean, with lush trees and well-maintained grass banks giving the area a more polished feel than many retail-adjacent locations. The hotel's exterior is sleek, modern and unmistakable from 50 metres. The entrance is step-free, with automatic sliding doors and the lobby visible through glass from the car park forecourt. Arrival with luggage is straightforward on all fronts.

The Retail Core Reality

Touchwood is repeatedly described as one of the best shopping centres in the Midlands, with restaurants and a cinema on-site. For guests here on leisure, this is the defining feature of the location. It is directly opposite, a one to two minute walk from the entrance.

The immediate surroundings to the left and right of the entrance include green space and trees, modern office blocks, car park access, a road junction and CCTV coverage. The overall read is smart and well-kept, suburban in character but functional rather than sterile. A nearby roundabout provides road access in multiple directions.

After dark, the street becomes lively. Bars and venues open up, restaurants stay active, and the area is well-lit and safe. This is not a location that shuts down at 7pm.

Food and Drink Within Walking Distance

The Slug & Lettuce - Solihull is 3 minutes away on foot, the closest standalone option for a drink or a meal. Carluccio's is 7 minutes. The White Swan and Costa Coffee are both 8 minutes. Grocery options are also within walking distance: Sainsbury's and Waitrose & Partners are both 8 minutes away, with Morrisons at 11 minutes for anyone stocking up for a longer stay.

The hotel's own restaurant and bar are also listed as dining options, so guests who prefer not to venture out in the evening are not forced to.

Getting There: The Logistics

By Taxi

Drop-off is right outside the entrance, with a flat and smooth approach from the vehicle to the lobby. There is no kerb-hop, ramp or awkward pavement transition. For guests arriving with heavy luggage, this is one of the easier arrivals in the area.

By Car

Car access is described as remarkably easy. The hotel sits outside the Clean Air Zone, which removes any CAZ charge concern. On-site parking has plenty of spaces, EV charging points are confirmed, and the experience of spotting, entering and exiting the car park is rated as smooth and easy throughout. Parking costs £12.50 per night for residents. Day visitors and meeting or events delegates park free, subject to a minimum £10 food and beverage spend. Pricing is clearly signed on arrival.

The nearby roundabout makes the approach navigable from multiple directions. Drivers who have wrestled with city-centre one-way systems and multi-storey car parks will find this a noticeably calmer arrival.

On Foot from the Train Station

Solihull train station is reachable on foot and is described as not too far away or difficult to find. Signposting exists, but using a navigation app on arrival is recommended to ensure you reach the hotel reliably rather than relying on signage alone.

Who Is This Hotel Actually For?

Business Travellers by Car or Train

This is a strong fit for business travellers arriving by either mode. Car access is easy, parking is ample and well-signed, and the hotel sits outside the Clean Air Zone. Train arrivals can reach the hotel on foot from Solihull station. The professional exterior and clean surroundings reinforce a polished, corporate-adjacent feel that suits a business trip.

Shopping and Leisure Visitors

If Touchwood is the reason for the visit, this is the obvious base. The centre sits directly opposite the hotel, with restaurants and a cinema alongside the shops. For a dedicated shopping day or a short leisure break built around the centre, the location is as convenient as it gets in this part of the Midlands.

Families with Children

The Touchwood cinema and the range of restaurants within and adjacent to the centre give families real options without needing a car. The streets are safe, clean and well-lit. The shopping centre environment suits families who want accessible, low-friction entertainment within easy walking distance.

Romantic Weekends

The location supports a comfortable and convenient stay for couples, particularly those drawn to the shopping, dining and cinema offer of Touchwood. The surroundings are smart and the evening environment is pleasant for a walk to dinner. Guests expecting a rural retreat or a characterful city neighbourhood will find the suburban retail setting a different proposition entirely, but for a couple who want easy access to good food, shopping and a film, the location works.

Nightlife Seekers

The evening environment around the hotel is lively, with bars and venues active after dark and the area well-populated and safe. For guests whose idea of a good night involves restaurants, bars and a busy but safe street atmosphere, this location delivers.

Early Train Departures

Solihull station is walkable from the hotel. For guests who need to catch an early train, the on-foot option removes dependency on taxis or pre-booked transfers. A navigation app is worth using to confirm the route the first time.

Quiet Seekers

This is not the right choice for guests whose priority is silence or a calm residential setting. The area carries moderate traffic noise as standard, and the evenings are lively. The location is functional and smart, but it is not tranquil.

Dog Owners

The hotel does not permit pets to stay overnight. Guide dogs and service animals are exempt from this policy. The surrounding area provides pavement walking only, with heavy traffic flow close to the shopping centre, and there is no meaningful green space nearby. Dog owners should look elsewhere.