Last October, a huge new shopping, leisure and entertainment complex opened just ten minutes down the road from us. Resort’s World Birmingham is situated on the NEC site, opposite the Genting arena. It’s easily accessible by road, rail and even air – it’s just a short walk from the Birmingham International Station and the airport.

What’s at Resort’s World Birmingham?

• 50 outlet stores including Nike, H&M, Gap and Next with up to 70% off RRP.
• An 11 screen cinema
• A wide choice of restaurants, including Nando’s, Pizza Express, TGI Fridays, Las Iguanas and Patisserie Valerie
• The Genting International Casino
• A Spa with 15m pool, loungers, salt cave, gym and latest beauty treatments.
• Genting Hotel, with four-star rooms and five-star suites
• The Sky Bar, with cocktails, Chef’s Table experience and stunning views over the NEC lake.
• A range of other bars, including the World Bar, Robata Bar and Grill and High Line New York Bar and Lounge.

We were invited to check out the new kids menu at The World Bar and the brand new Very Hungry Caterpillar Soft Play area. We were really excited about this – anything that makes shopping with kids an easier experience is a winner in my eyes!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Soft Play

Alex and Benjamin enjoyed bounding around the soft play area, although it wasn’t what I was expecting. There’s certainly no ball pits or slides – imagine the toddler and baby area of most soft play centres and that’s what you get. It’s for under 5’s only, and only a handful of children at a time could go in there. I think after about ten minutes or so Alex would have begun to get bored, but for a quick break in your shopping it is fine.

The World Bar

The World Bar is a craft beer pub, serving more than 40 beers. The food is very much like upmarket pub grub  – pies, hot dogs, pizza and nachos were a few of the choices. Graham and I both really enjoyed our posh hot dogs and sweet potato fries.

The kid’s menu is very basic but adequate – pizza, burger or spaghetti bolognaise, with ice cream or ice cream and waffles for dessert. Prices start at £4 for the main courses, which I didn’t think was too bad, especially considering the huge portion sizes.

Their meals were ok – the burgers were a little tough and dry, and maybe some cheese or something would have been a nice option. They really enjoyed their desserts – wafffles and ice cream, and the staff were great, even when Benjamin dropped his whole bowl on the floor!

All in all, whilst Resort’s World Birmingham has made a good effort to be more child- friendly, I think I would still rather leave the kids at home. When there is no other choice, at least I know there is somewhere to take the little ones to break up the day and have something to eat!

*We were invited to the soft play area and The World Bar at Resort’s World Birmingham free of charge for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are our own