There is an old saying that familiarity breeds contempt. Fortunately for Newcastle, the opposite appears to be true.
Having lived in the North East all my life, I have walked along the Quayside more times than I could count, crossed its bridges in every season and proudly shown the city off to countless out-of-towners. Yet familiarity can sometimes cause us to overlook the things that make a place special.
A recent return to the Malmaison Newcastle underlined this with a flourish. With my wife Lisa, it reminded me exactly why our city continues to capture the imagination.
The hotel itself occupies one of the most recognisable buildings on the Quayside. The former industrial warehouse stands proudly overlooking the River Tyne and has become as much a part of the riverside’s aspect as the bridges themselves.
After a breezy check-in, we made our way to the Ark Royal Suite and quickly realised this was no ordinary hotel room.
Now, I am generally of the opinion that hotel rooms should be judged on sensible criteria. Comfort, cleanliness, wide-screen panoramic television and biscuit selection are all important factors.
I hadn’t considered the number of baths available. Here, the sumptuous Ark Royal suite contains not one but two!
Naturally, this was met with considerable enthusiasm from Lisa, who immediately began inspecting both (and accompanying designer toiletries) as if conducting a scientific experiment.
Elsewhere, the suite itself was stunning. Spacious and elegantly furnished throughout, it combined luxury with comfort in equal measure. Yet impressive as the room was , it was difficult not to be distracted by what lay beyond the windows.
Directly ahead sits the Millennium Bridge, illuminated against the backdrop of the river and city skyline. As afternoon rolled into evening, we found ourselves repeatedly returning to the windows for a spot of people watching.
Eventually, a ravenous appetite coaxed us to leave the comfort of the suite and venture downstairs for dinner.
The Malmaison restaurant possesses the same qualities as the wider hotel: stylish without feeling pretentious and polished without sacrificing warmth.
Lisa started with the Beetroot Carpaccio while I opted for the Citrus Cured Salmon. Both dishes arrived artfully presented and provided the perfect start to the evening.
For our mains, Lisa selected the Cornfed Chicken Breast while I chose the Fillet Steak accompanied by seasonal greens and beer-battered onion rings.
The steak was cooked exactly as requested and delivered the sort of rich flavour that reminds you why some classics never go out of fashion. Lisa’s chicken was equally impressive, expertly prepared and packed with flavour.
A crisp bottle of Italian Gavi accompanied our meal beautifully and, when the steak arrived, I couldn’t resist a glass of Primitivo to complete proceedings.
As with every aspect of our stay, service was attentive, professional and delivered with genuine warmth. Dinner over, we enjoyed a leisurely drink before returning upstairs.
Many hotels encourage guests to spend their evenings in bars, lounges and restaurants. The Ark Royal Suite offers a compelling counterargument. Looking out across the illuminated river with a glass in hand proved difficult to improve upon.
Following a wonderfully comfortable night’s sleep, we awoke to the same magnificent panorama. Before breakfast, I found myself standing at the window once more, coffee in hand, watching the city slowly come to life beneath us.
The luxurious Ark Royal Suite, excellent food, attentive staff and enviable location all contribute to making the Mal one of Newcastle’s most-loved hotel destinations.
For Lisa and I, it was a reminder that sometimes you do not need to travel far to discover something new. Sometimes you simply need a different window.
For more information, visit www.malmaison.com/locations/newcastle