I have many memories of the Grand Hotel, I was working there from about 1978 to 1981 when I moved to work at the Europa Lodge in West Brom (J1 of M5)
The Backyard Bar did exist, as did the Buttery Bar (which became the Penny Black I think) There was a Carvery at the front of the hotel, run brilliantly by Jeffrey Meakin.
The Grosvenor Suite was refurbished to a lovely standard during my time there and renovations to update one of the restaurants, revealed some gorgeous Victorian Tiles which were restored I think by the B'ham Museum and Art Gallery and replaced in the restaurant behind the carvery bar. There were some fabulous events held there during my time, ranging from visits by famous actresses at the Post Literary luncheons, to Star Trek cast members at the many Sci fi events. I remember being in the lift with Arthur Ashe the tennis player, members of pop bands, russian weightlifters, dog show visitors with pooches - life was never dull riding up to the sales offices on the upper floors. It was a huge old building, lots of downstairs corridors that were creepy and I think the weirdest time I spent there was with one of my friends, who as an asst manager, she had to stay on the premises when it was closed over Christmas and her shift was christmas eve, so I said I'd stay too. Talk about scary, I couldn't sleep the place was so creaky when it was empty! Have many fond memories of the people who worked there, some I still keep in touch with.