Since it was selected as the UK City of Culture for 2021 Coventry has been an up and coming tourist and business destination. The recently opened Hotel Indigo Coventry is part of that revitalisation and, as I discovered, it provides a perfect base for exploring the city.
Disclosure: The Hotel Indigo Coventry provided a complimentary stay for myself and my husband in return for coverage on this site.
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An Elegant Boutique Hotel
The Hotel Indigo Coventry opened in January 2024, part of the city’s ambitious Friargate regeneration scheme. This is a mixed use development close to the railway station and the city centre, incorporating homes and businesses and lots of green space. With just a short walk to the city’s main sights this makes it ideally situated for visitors, whether here for business or sightseeing.
Indigo hotels are known for their quirky design and contemporary elegance, and Coventry is no exception. From the vintage Austin-Healey car in the foyer to the open spaces of the bar and dining room to the stylish bedrooms, there is an impressive attention to detail. Even the lifts are a design feature, the walls decorated with historic press cuttings.
Visitors are well catered for, with a bar, restaurant, and fitness suite. And, in keeping with the Indigo brand, you are greeted by friendly and welcoming staff.
Unique Room Styles
The hotel has 101 bedrooms, designed around three locally inspired themes. These include Motor City (in recognition of Coventry’s long standing motor industry), The Spinning Wheel (bicycles not wool!) and Re-imagining & Regeneration. I was in a Re-imagining and Regeneration room, bringing together past and present so that Lady Godiva rubbed shoulders with cutting edge contemporary design…
It was a comfortable and well-appointed room. It was spacious and had a desk to work at, and – very welcome – lots of power points to charge up the multiple devices that we all seem to carry these days. The blue-tiled bathroom – described as “spa inspired” – was another eye-catching design feature.
As well as complementary bottled water and tea and coffee making facilities, we found an artisan snack waiting for us. This was a “Coventry god cake”, a local (and very yummy) pastry traditionally given by godparents to godchildren at the New Year. And beside the bed was another Indigo tradition – a tiny vial of sleep spray to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Eating And Drinking At The Indigo Coventry
On the ground floor you will find the stylish bar and the open-plan Cogs Restaurant. The restaurant (arranged so that you can see the chefs at work) has an emphasis upon local cuisine and ingredients. A particular feature is the Wine Wall, a colourful mural by a local artist showcasing the restaurant’s extensive wine list.
The staff are very friendly and attentive, and the food is interesting and well cooked. It has to be said that vegetarian options are limited, but meat-eaters will find several choices including a range of grills. My husband enjoyed squid bites and chicken piri piri, while I had tofu bites (surprisingly good) and a superfood salad crammed full of fresh vegetables.
Breakfast offered a range of cooked dishes, including a vegan Full English.
Making The Most Of Your Stay
While in the hotel you can enjoy the bar and restaurant and the small but well-equipped gym. If you wish to explore you will be within easy walking distance of the centre of Coventry, where you will find sights such as Coventry Cathedral and the Herbert Art Gallery. (Read more about what to see and do in Coventry…)
Further afield, Coventry is very close to some of the UK’s top tourist attractions. These include Shakespeare’s home town of Stratford-upon-Avon and two of Britain’s finest medieval castles, Warwick and Kenilworth. Other popular destinations such as Leamington and Solihull are within easy reach.
Practicalities For Your Visit To The Hotel Indigo Coventry
- The hotel is close to the ring road, just 2 minutes walk from the railway station. Coventry Cathedral is 1 km from the hotel.
- Birmingham Airport is 17 km away.
- Car parking is available at the train station car park at a discounted rate for hotel guests.
- Room rates start at £103 per night.
- Hotel Indigo Coventry is part of the IHG Hotels group.
