| 9/29/10
Logistics:
Cal and I spent three weeks at the Premier Inn in Birmingham, on Hagley Road. Of course, I was in the hospital six nights. It’s a budget hotel, but we recommend it highly. The restaurant attached to the hotel is very good (we’re both into healthy eating), and the buffet breakfast in particular is a great value. The hotel is a short walk to McMinn’s consulting office, and a little more than a mile away from the hospital. We didn’t rent a car. Cal walked between the hotel and hospital a number of times; it’s an easy 30-minute walk though a pleasant residential area–he walked it, I didn’t. We used the local buses a lot (multiple times every day), although there isn’t a direct line between the hotel and hospital; it’s a complicated connection. Otherwise, the hotel or hospital can call a cab for you; it’s about a $10 fare including tip. The hotel can be booked on the internet at Booking.com. Based upon our experience, I would definitely reserve the “triple room for 2 adults and 1 child.” We looked at the “double disabled room,” thinking that it might be appropriate, but the “triple room” was much better. There is a separate fee for internet access.
The night before we flew out of Heathrow, we stayed at the Premier Inn at the airport. It’s labeled “M4/J4,” signifying the road junction where it’s located. There is a shuttle bus to the airport. You can reserve this hotel on the above website also.
We found it easier and cheaper to fly from San Francisco to London and then take a bus to Birmingham. There is a bus station at Heathrow. |
