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The restaurant has the feel of a contemporary college refectory, but it is none the less a practical and functional environment. There are various types of refrigerated and vending machine displays making food (sandwiches, energy bars, chocolate, crisps (chips if you are from over the Pond), colas, fruit juices, yoghurts and similar snacks) with hot or cold drinks available around the clock from a vending machine style dispense, although it serves into china mugs not plastic cartons.
A substantial continental style breakfast is also served in this area in the mornings in truly French style, with the addition of cereal to the baguette and confiture familiar from travels in France.
Whilst most of the space is furnished with tables and chairs there is an area at the end with leather style bench seating under a large flat screen television giving a sort of club feel for evening socialising or group TV watching, and my experience suggests it is indeed used for this. There is also a line of stools at the large windows that flood the room with day light where people watching can take place - not that anyone is walking past here, in motor city. Simple design and effective graphics make this a cheerful space.
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Only open a few months on my visit, the hotel nevertheless was already attracting an interesting mix of clubbers,(who could (and did) turn up to rent a room at five in the morning), exhibitors at the NEC and tourists travelling economically. Business traffic too appears to be using the hotel as well as the ubiquitous ‘white van man’.
The Budget hotel market is becoming very competitive in the UK, with various chains now offering rooms at prices lower than the £50 per night mark. With prices at about £40 (early 2006) the Etap promised to provide Accor with a strong competitor in this market, with clean simply designed but effective units. Design standards are good although the bunk bed will not appeal to everyone. To be able to rent a clean room with en-suite shower facilities at this price in the middle of England's Second City(or is it third?) neatly compliments the cheap flights that will bring people here from Europe.
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