Hilton Birmingham Metropole
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA large Hilton-branded conference and accommodation hotel at the National Exhibition Centre area in Birmingham, England.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Hilton Birmingham Metropole is a large hotel and events property in Birmingham, England. It is described as the largest hotel in England outside London, with 790 rooms and suites and approximately 6,000 square metres of conference and meeting space. Its scale gives it a role that extends beyond conventional overnight accommodation: the property is designed to serve corporate meetings, conventions, exhibitions, social events and other large gatherings as well as individual and group hotel guests. The property opened in 1976 as two adjacent hotels. One of the buildings was originally known as the Warwick Hotel. The two buildings initially operated separately, reflecting their distinct origins, but were subsequently linked by a glazed tunnel during 1987–88 and brought together under the Metropole brand. This physical connection created the basis for the large integrated hotel and conference operation that exists today. The hotel’s built environment was expanded and altered over several decades. A Kings Suite extension was completed in 1985–86. Further works in 1988–89 included changes to the car park, construction of a car-park kiosk and walled borders, and an extension that now incorporates executive rooms. The main entrance, concierge area and lounge were extended and rebuilt in 1993–94. A swimming pool and health club were constructed in 1994–95, with the pool designed and built by Rydal Engineering. A conservatory extension followed in 1998–99. Ownership and branding have changed several times. The hotels were operated by Metropole Hotels until 1996, when Lonrho sold the chain to Stakis Hotels. The Birmingham property was then renamed Stakis Birmingham Metropole. In 1999, Ladbroke acquired Stakis and rebranded its 48 Stakis hotels within the Hilton Hotels brand, resulting in the present Hilton Birmingham Metropole name. Hilton later sold the hotel, together with Hilton London Metropole, to Tonstate Group in 2006. Tonstate subsequently sold both properties to Henderson Park in 2017. The hotel’s identity therefore combines a local property history with successive national and international operating brands. Its principal proposition is large-scale hospitality: accommodation supported by extensive conference facilities, event infrastructure and leisure amenities. The available reference material does not establish a separate legal corporate entity, a founding individual, a current general manager or a dedicated standalone website for the property. Hilton is the associated hotel brand, while Henderson Park is identified as the later owner in the cited historical account.
History
Hilton Birmingham Metropole opened in 1976 as two adjacent hotels rather than as a single unified property. The Warwick block was originally known as the Warwick Hotel. For its first years, the two hotels remained separate operations. During 1987–88 they were connected by a glazed tunnel and merged under the Metropole brand, establishing the integrated configuration associated with the property. The building was developed incrementally. The Kings Suite extension was constructed in 1985–86. In 1988–89, the car park was redesigned, a car-park kiosk and walled borders were added, and another extension was built; that extension now includes executive rooms. The main entrance, concierge facilities and lounge were extended and rebuilt in 1993–94. Leisure facilities followed in 1994–95, when the swimming pool and health club were constructed. The swimming pool was designed and built by Rydal Engineering. A conservatory extension was completed in 1998–99. The property was operated by Metropole Hotels until 1996. That year, Lonrho sold the chain to Stakis Hotels, which renamed the property Stakis Birmingham Metropole. In 1999, Ladbroke acquired Stakis. Ladbroke subsequently rebranded the 48 Stakis hotels within the Hilton Hotels brand, and the Birmingham hotel became Hilton Birmingham Metropole. The Hilton-branded property later changed ownership while retaining the Hilton name. In 2006, Hilton sold Hilton Birmingham Metropole and Hilton London Metropole to Tonstate Group for a reported £417 million. In 2017, Tonstate sold the two hotels to Henderson Park for a reported £500 million. These transactions distinguish the hotel’s property ownership from its Hilton branding and operating association. The hotel is characterized by its scale and event capacity. It has 790 rooms and suites and approximately 6,000 square metres of conference halls, making it the largest hotel in England outside London according to the cited reference. Its facilities support both overnight stays and large meetings, conferences and events. The available material does not provide a verified opening-day founder, current executive roster, standalone property website, detailed food-and-beverage information or a complete account of the current contractual relationship between Henderson Park and Hilton.
- 2017
Sale to Henderson Park
[1]Tonstate sold the Birmingham and London Metropole hotels to Henderson Park in a reported £500 million transaction.
- 2006
Sale to Tonstate Group
[1]Hilton sold the property and Hilton London Metropole to Tonstate Group in a reported £417 million transaction.
- 1999
Property adopts Hilton branding
[1]After Ladbroke acquired Stakis, the hotel was rebranded Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
- 1998
Conservatory extension
[1]A conservatory extension was built during 1998–99.
- 1996
Stakis Hotels acquires the Metropole chain
[1]Lonrho sold Metropole Hotels to Stakis Hotels, and the Birmingham property became Stakis Birmingham Metropole.
- 1994
Swimming pool and health club added
[1]A swimming pool and health club were constructed during 1994–95, with the pool designed and built by Rydal Engineering.
- 1993
Main entrance and public-area reconstruction
[1]The main entrance, concierge area and lounge were extended and rebuilt during 1993–94.
- 1988
Car park and executive-room extension works
[1]Works during 1988–89 redesigned the car park, added a kiosk and walled borders, and created an extension that now includes executive rooms.
- 1987
Two hotels connected and merged
[1]During 1987–88, the adjacent hotels were linked by a glazed tunnel and merged under the Metropole brand.
- 1985
Kings Suite extension
[1]A Kings Suite extension was built during 1985–86.
Products and positioning
A large-scale, full-service Hilton hotel focused on accommodation, conferences, meetings, events and leisure facilities.
Hotel accommodation · 1976
Guest rooms and suites
The property provides 790 rooms and suites for individual, group and business travellers. The accommodation inventory includes executive rooms within an extension added during the hotel’s late-1980s development works. The available reference material does not specify individual room categories, amenities or current package names.
Business events · 1976
Conference halls and meeting facilities
The hotel has approximately 6,000 square metres of conference halls, making meetings, conventions and other large events a central part of its proposition. The scale of the facilities supports the property’s positioning as a major conference hotel outside London. Specific room capacities, layouts and current event packages are not established by the supplied reference.
Events and banqueting · 1985
Kings Suite
The Kings Suite is a named event facility associated with the property’s 1985–86 extension. It forms part of the hotel’s broader conference, function and event offering. The supplied material does not provide current capacities, formats or booking details.
Leisure · 1994
Swimming pool and health club
The hotel’s leisure provision includes a swimming pool and health club constructed during 1994–95. The pool was designed and built by Rydal Engineering. No further details on equipment, memberships or current operating arrangements are provided in the reference material.
Brand decisions
2017
Sell the Metropole properties to Henderson ParkM&ABackground
Tonstate owned Hilton Birmingham Metropole and Hilton London Metropole after acquiring them from Hilton.
Action taken
Tonstate sold both hotels to Henderson Park.
Aftermath
Henderson Park became the identified owner of the property, while the hotel continued to be associated with the Hilton brand.
Reported transaction value. £500 million (2017)
2006
Sell the Birmingham and London Metropole hotels to TonstateM&ABackground
Hilton owned the two Metropole properties before the transaction.
Action taken
Hilton sold Hilton Birmingham Metropole and Hilton London Metropole to Tonstate Group.
Aftermath
The properties changed ownership while the Birmingham hotel continued to carry the Hilton brand.
Reported transaction value. £417 million (2006)
1999
Rebrand the hotel as Hilton Birmingham MetropoleStrategyBackground
Ladbroke acquired Stakis Hotels, whose portfolio included the Stakis Birmingham Metropole.
Action taken
Ladbroke placed the Stakis hotels, including this property, within the Hilton Hotels brand.
Aftermath
The property adopted the Hilton Birmingham Metropole name, which remains its documented brand identity.
1987
Merge the two hotel buildings under the Metropole brandStrategyBackground
The property began as two adjacent hotels that operated separately after opening.
Action taken
During 1987–88, the buildings were connected by a glazed tunnel and combined under the Metropole name.
Aftermath
The merger created a unified hotel operation with the scale associated with the later Birmingham Metropole property.
Sources1 sources
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