By Holly Grahamslaw
With our anniversary just around the corner, I recently visited the Radisson Blu hotel in Durham with my partner, Josh. Situated in the heart of Durham City overlooking the River Wear and within walking distance of the historic market town, the hotel boasts 207 modern bedrooms, catering for business & leisure events, and luxurious in-house spa & leisure facilities.
With recent investment being made into the venue’s ground floor bar & restaurant area, we were delighted to return to the Radisson Blu for a dinner, bed and breakfast stay.
After a warm welcome, we checked into our room. With a large king-sized bed, flatscreen TV and contemporary ensuite bathroom, the superior room promoted both comfort and relaxation. Quickly ditching the bags, we returned to the ground floor to explore the recent refurbishments.
The hotel’s previous lounge area has been transformed into an elegant bar & restaurant area that greets you immediately upon entrance to the hotel. With plush, velvet seating, ambient lighting, and marble furnishings, the area fuses shades of grey, black and gold to create a sophisticated space, whilst a new bar stands out as an attractive focal point offering a range of cocktails and alcoholic beverages.
Rebranded under the name of Józef’s, the venue references polish dwarf Count Józef who found sanctuary in Durham in the 1800s and is now buried in Durham Cathedral, acknowledging Durham’s rich and quintessential history.
The venue’s in-house eatery has also been refurbished to create a warm and relaxing new space. Combining shades of green with floral undertones, the restaurant promotes a natural and cosy ambience, whilst the large windows continue to showcase the hotel’s idyllic riverside views. The menu at Józef’s similarly offers much delight, serving high-class British dishes with innovative touches, and using only the freshest and finest ingredients.
To start, I opted for the chef’s soup of the day, a tasty carrot & coriander blend served with warm, artisan bread rolls, whilst Josh sampled the steamed bao buns. Deliciously soft and doughy, these consisted of mouth-watering shredded duck, vegetables and a zingy plum & hoisin sauce. Both starters were hearty and nutritious and were accompanied by the excellent and attentive service on offer during the evening.
Following up, customers can enjoy a plethora of choice, including the pan roasted fillet of bream, the chargrilled beef burger and the slow-cooked trio of pork. Here, I tasted the roast chicken breast, a succulent dish with creamed cabbage and bacon, rich dauphinoise potato and chicken jus. Josh meanwhile devoured the 10oz ribeye steak, embellished with triple cooked chunky chips, tomatoes, mushrooms and a creamy peppercorn sauce.
Despite feeling fit to burst, we enjoyed a large slab of sticky toffee pudding served with salted caramel sauce and sweet vanilla ice cream, which rounded off a thoroughly pleasant evening spent at Józef’s.
After a peaceful night’s sleep, the following morning we decided to visit the hotel’s in-house health club, Pace. With state-of-the-art gym facilities, a 15m pool, steam room, sauna and jacuzzi, Pace offers the ideal environment to both rest and rejuvenate. Guests can also sample a range of deluxe spa treatments and packages at the club’s adjacent NUSPA, adding to the luxurious experience on offer at the Radisson Blu.
Having burnt off some calories from our evening of indulgence, we then returned to Józef’s restaurant for a delicious breakfast. The hotel offers an abundance of choice from its large breakfast buffet, including tasty cooked items, continental classics, buttery pastries and fresh breads. The breakfast was absolutely exquisite and concluded a relaxing and enjoyable stay spent at the Radisson Blu.
All in all, the hotel really provides the perfect place to relax and unwind. The hotel is ideally situated for you to delight in all that Durham city has to offer, whilst simultaneously experiencing a serene escape from daily life. We can’t wait to return again soon.
The Radisson Blu can be found at Frankland Lane, Durham, DH1 5TA. For more information, visit their website www.radissonhotels.com or call 0191 372 7200.