When you’re visiting a new city for the first time, it can be hard to decide on where to stay.
You want a nice, stylish setting that is close enough to the shopping, restaurants and bars, but not on a noisy street that keeps you awake at night.
A hotel with a good bar is a plus and – of course – friendly and helpful staff can really make or break a stay.
THE BEST PLACE TO STAY IN NEWCASTLE
We go to Newcastle a few times a year. Brian is a Newcastle football fan so has been going to games since he was little and we decided to take a trip together to to his beloved toon in 2015.
Since then, we’ve tried out a few different hotels (side note: one time Brian decided we should just go down and back up the same day for a game. This ended v. badly with my perhaps overindulging in some pre-game rose wines and I’ve refused to go down just for the day ever again!) and hadn’t found one that was quite right.
Don’t get me wrong, they were all lovely, but it was when we arrived at Hotel Indigo Newcastle for the first time that I knew it was instantly my favourite. Firstly, it’s super close to the train station, which is a big thing for me and my overpacked bags. It’s also just a few minutes’ walk to the very heart of the city and – of course – Newcastle stadium, which Brian is particularly thrilled about!
The staff are always superb, the rooms are Instagram-worthy and they do the best Pornstair Martini in the hotel’s Grainger Lounge Bar.
NEWCASTLE ROOM WITH A VIEW
We’ve visited the hotel now countless times so it was a no-brainer to book it for Brian’s birthday stay. The Hotel Indigo team kindly invited us to stay in one of their Superior Double rooms, which even has its own balcony*. It may have been freezing outside, but with amazing views across the city, I just had to put on one of the fluffy white robes and sit outside with a glass of chilled prosecco. Well, it would be rude not to!
The blogger in me was also delighted that the bright and airy balcony turned out to be the dreamiest place for outfit pics too. My long-suffering reluctant photographer Brian was not as thrilled about this, if I’m being honest.
These rooms also have SkyTV and a complimentary mini fridge to make you feel very at home. It’s all these little touches that make the hotel really stand out.
MARCO PIERRE WHITE STEAKHOUSE NEWCASTLE
The one thing I love about Hotel Indigo Newcastle is the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill restaurant. Forget your standard hotel dining, the famous chef’s on-site restaurant serves up the most delicious breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner dishes.
With breakfast included in room, I’m delighted to report the Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon was cooked to perfection, with plenty of pastries, fruit and cooked breakfasts to choose from.
Come dinner, we’re shown to one of the plush booths and we order a bottle of prosecco, which I have to let you know is only £20 all day Friday and Saturdays at the moment. Seriously, I love this place!
DINNER CHOICES AT HOTEL INDIGO NEWCASTLE
We peruse the menu (probably for a little too long – there was just so many options for my foodie loving brain to choose from!) before I finally opt for Seared Sea Scallops with Black Pudding and Brian goes for the Classic 1970’s Prawn Cocktail. Both seafood dishes are presented beautifully and taste amazing. I’ve been telling everyone about the scallops since we came home as they were cooked to perfection!
For mains, I could not resist indulging in one of the famous steaks, choosing the Grilled Centre Cut Fillet cut. Served with pommes frites, roasted vine tomatoes and a sauce of my choice (grilled wild mushrooms in garlic butter is my go-to), I could not stop myself ordering a side of baked macaroni cheese. I insisted this was to share with Brian, but I cannot lie to you: I ate the entire thing myself and I regret nothing.
Brian tells me his main meal (The American burger) was equally amazing and believe me when I say, Brian is a burger pro!
We decided to forgo dessert (mainly because if I had ate one more thing, I’d have had to have had a nap at the table) and moved into the chic bar area for one last drink before bed, but not before Brian had to watch the highlights of the game again. Newcastle won 3-2 and I had a balcony where I could go sip prosecco – the most idyllic of Newcastle stays!
BOOKING A ROOM AT HOTEL INDIGO NEWCASTLE
If you’re looking for a stylish yet affordable Newcastle city centre hotel, Hotel Indigo Newcastle is the one. With the most amazing team (a special thanks has to go to Laura who looked after us so well in the MPW Restaurant), you can really relax and unwind.
To book a room, visit Hotel Indigo Newcastle’s website here or you can find them on Instagram @hotel_indigo_newcastle.