Few hotel's occupy a better location than the Malmaison Newcastle. Set just back from the Millennium Bridge on the Quayside, 'The Mal' is a totem of the city's fine leisure & hospitality industry.
Originally built as a cooperative warehouse as part of the shipping industry, the building is very imposing. However, whilst the buildings exterior is a nod to the region’s industrial heritage, the interior is lowly-lit and stylish, in keeping with the hotel group. Plush velvet surfaces and glittering chandeliers create a decidedly chic ambience which makes the hotel a firm favourite for couples and romantic overnight stays.
Amenities are also aplenty with deluxe accommodation, a cocktail bar, in-house brasserie and an underground spa all available to guests. With this in mind, my wife Lisa and I visited the week of Valentines.
It had, admittedly, been a long time since our last visit and ‘The Mal’ has really shaken up its accommodation in recent times. Continuing the shipbuilding theme, all suites are named after famous vessels and are all beautifully furnished. Our supremely stylish suite boasted a dusky colour palette, exposed brick wallpaper, lavish drapes and plush bedding. Modcons meanwhile included a flat screen plasma TV, complimentary WiFi, tea & coffee making facilities and a super swish ‘drench shower’.
Although not all suites have a river view, the cherry on the top of this multi-tiered cake was stunning views across the Millenium Bridge which we soaked up over a glass of fizz whilst changing for dinner. A trip to the Malmaison Newcastle wouldnt be complete without the hotels Chez Mal restaurant which is a stylish take on a traditional brasserie. The restaurant lends itself nicely to a number of occasions from family gatherings to business dealclinchers and offers a bespoke collection of dishes, championing ingredients fine and fresh.
On our visit, the restaurant was trialling a quirky ‘Good vs Bad’ concept menu, pitching healthy options against more indulgent fayre. Kicking off, the holier-than-thou Lisa opted for the classic smoked salmon with capers, cornichon and rye bread whilst yours truly opted for the buffalo wings with homemade hot sauce and blue cheese.
Lisa then continued in a similar, health-conscious vein with the grilled chicken breast paired with pointed cabbage, broccoli and savoy and lemon dressing. I followed up with an epic Guinnessinfused cottage pie featuring chunks of braised beef, onion and glazed carrot.
Rounding off, Lisa couldn’t resist the unabashedly calorific ‘Naughty Sundae’ with salted caramel ice cream, toasted peanuts and brownie & toffee sauce whilst I smugly ordered the fresh fruit salad with healthy sorbet.
2-1 to Lisa then in the healthy eating stakes yet we couldn’t leave without toasting the night with a cocktail in the adjoining Chez Mal Bar. During the day, this is a lovely spot for a business meeting or caffeinated debrief whilst being a venue which really comes alive of an evening, possessing a buzzy atmosphere fuelled by buckets of champagne and creative cocktails.
Following a restful, eight hours sleep we returned to the Brasserie for a Full English breakfast before hitting the road having enjoyed one of our favourite overnight stays in recent times. Whether you’re a business executive seeking comfort and luxury or a couple plotting your next night away, Malmaison Newcastle continues to provide the classy overnight experience to match its impressive location.