The elegant conference hotel keeps the party going

Airport, business and conference hotels are usually conveniently located but often soulless, geared for efficiency but devoid of any atmosphere. The clinking of cutlery on plates echoes around restaurants full of solo diners.

In stark contrast, Moxy, Marriott’s fast-growing lifestyle hotel brand, has made a splash with its colorful and lively hotel concept around the world.

Now at the National Exhibition Center (NEC) in Birmingham, UK, Moxy has also turned airport and conference hotel expectations upside down.

Check-in takes place at the bar, there’s a menu of cocktails and craft beers to enjoy in the lively lounge, while all-you-can-eat hot food is served at reasonable prices throughout series.

Birmingham Airport and Birmingham NEC

Moxy has chosen an ideal location for its first hotel in the West Midlands. An attractive lakeside location belies its usefulness as the closest hotel for conference attendees and those arriving at Birmingham International Station.

The hotel is also just 10-15 minutes from Birmingham Airport (BHX), following a predominantly inland route via the exhibition hall and a short passenger transport journey.

The seventh busiest airport in the UK, Birmingham Airport is well connected to Europe and international hubs including Doha, Dubai and Istanbul.

Opened in 1976, the NEC has 20 interconnected halls, offering almost two million square meters of floor space. It hosts the British International Motor Show, BBC Gardeners’ World Live and the Crufts dog show, while the Resorts World Arena hosts major concerts and touring shows throughout the year. At the center of it all is Moxy.

The Moxy experience

Entering the Moxy Birmingham NEC gives a striking first impression, which is more of a lounge bar than a hotel lobby.

Eclectic furniture, diverse spaces for work or relaxation and a musical theme that suggests a lively nightlife welcome guests.

Bar staff take a break from serving drinks to guests checking in, which can be done online in advance by Marriott Bonvoy Rewards members.

If you arrive before check-in opens at 3pm, luggage storage is available in a locked room with ID tags provided, a more secure system than many competing hotels.

Rooms are compact but well-designed with everything the modern traveler needs, including a Chromecast-compatible TV, working air conditioning and USB charging points, along with British and European style sockets.

A full menu of beer, cocktails and hot food is available in the evening. Although described as “bar food”, the menu is diverse and the meals are substantial.

The pizzas are ideal for sharing, while the chicken or vegan curry are both excellent – a must in the Birmingham region, famous for its Indian food.

Inevitably, the bar is busier when there’s a major event at the NEC or Resorts World, so it can be difficult to find a table for two, but there are usually spaces at the longer sharing tables.

Rates for a double room start at an affordable $115 when paid in advance, but skyrocket when availability dwindles during major events. Off-site parking costs approximately $14 per day, with hotel luggage storage available en route to parking.