This is the second time I've stayed at the Novotel on business in the past six months. It is absolutely the most convenient hotel at Birmingham Airport but irritatingly, really poorly signed from inside the airport, given that it's right outside the door!

Go down to ground floor level and go to the very end of the check-in desks, then exit from the airport and the hotel entrance is just opposite. Any signage visible inside the airport? Nope. Just a giant, illuminated 'Novotel' sign apparently floating in mid-air. The first time I stayed, I wandered around helplessly in the dark in the car park for five minutes, able only to find a 'no pedestrians' sign.

I appreciate that service is always variable in an airport hotel - I stay in a lot of them. But I was really touched by the kind, attentive service offered by the young man at check-in - he sounded French but had a badge that said 'Pyotr'. I had forgotten to bring my loyalty club card so he searched for it through the database, and made sure my stay was registered. He made me feel like a guest, not like a daft middle-aged businesswoman with too much on her mind.

The room was standard Novotel - mid-range, semi-business, with a large, modern bathroom and a lovely mattress. The hotel is quiet despite its closeness to the airport.

I went down late to breakfast - I had obviously missed the business rush - and was welcomed kindly by the duty staff, who had obviously just done a busy shift but were still very much engaged with their work. The dining room was clear, clean and well-organised on both times I visited. The food is fairly standard buffet food - what else can you expect in a large mid-range hotel? However, the food was hot, nicely presented and there was plenty of it. I would only take the breakfast if it were part of the room rate, though - there are plenty of nice cafes in the airport if you are on 'room only' rates.

I like this place - not because it is luxurious - it's more serviceable, convenient, clean and functional - but because its staff give it an enjoyable, quirky charm. I'll certainly go back.

My sister and i stayed here before an early flight and we couldnt have been more comfortable, our room faced the departures entrance but was very quiet, infact it would have got 10 out of 10 if not for me leaving an electric toothbrush and full tube of toothpaste in the bathroom in my hurry the next morning. When my husband rang to see if it had been picked up by housekeeping it had mysteriously vanished! So it was a very expensive night all in all!

We stayed here prior to our early morning flight. The room was comfortable for our family of four - with a sofa bed for the kids. The reception gave the kids some excellent gifts which was unexpected but certainly appreciated.

We ordered room service food - a full menu was still available at 9pm. The food was reasonably priced and served quickly.

Check-out was efficiently processed by helpful staff despite the unsociable hour.

The only down side was that despite booking a room for four, only single occupancy had been reserved. This is possibly an issue between the booking agency and the hotel, but as the reception staff quickly sorted it out, it didn't cause us much concern.