Staying Cool Apartments Rotunda, Birmingham – Review

In the heart of Birmingham the Rotunda building has been an iconic landmark since the 1960s. The clever design team of Staying Cool have considered the building`s history when planning and designing the 26 apartments located in this famous building. The results of this careful consideration are stylish interiors that combine the best of contemporary living with retro chic.

Next to Birmingham`s New Street station and the designer shops of the Bull Ring, the Rotunda building apartments caused a frenzy of bidding when they went on sale 4 years ago. Those of us not lucky enough to own one can play house by renting one of Staying Cool`s apartments. We stayed in a two -bedroom Roadster penthouse apartment on the 20th floor, with views across the city that evoked shrieks of excitement from the children.

The apartments are equipped with all mod cons and high end fixtures and fittings. Minimalist white bathrooms and a poggenpohl kitchen show that the design team know what their customers like. The cool greys and whites of the interior are offset by enormous canvases featuring models giving more than a nod to the building`s 60s history. The apartments are chic but without the `hands-off` feeling that sometimes accompanies such exclusivity. In fact, fun is positively encouraged, as evidenced by the children`s packs that were provided. Games, toys and best of all, bubble wands, were all put to good use. We all stood on the windy balcony sending bubbles across the bustling shopping centre, before retiring indoors to watch the sun set and the lights go on over the city.

The location cannot be faulted, and neither can the thought that has gone into those little extras; a gaggia espresso maker, lovely fat oranges with electric juicer that the children adored (`can we get one?`) and specialist herbal teas are all provided. In keeping with modern living, recycling is encouraged in the literature. Guests are advised to leave their plastic , glass and paper out on display for staff to recycle and grooming products in the bathroom are in large bottles that are topped up after guests depart, keeping replacement to a minimum.

The apartments are popular and lived in, so a few touch-ups are needed on paintwork, plastering and carpets, but this is currently being addressed as they are undergoing a makeover. This does not detract at all from the great job the Staying Cool team have done and the amount of fun you can have pretending you live here. We stayed, and we felt cool.

For more information go to http://www.stayingcool.com/birmingham