Those of you unfamiliar with Welsh rock band Stereophonics' hit 'Dakota' and unaware that the sixth property of the Dakota Hotels portfolio has recently opened on the quayside will perhaps be perplexed by the headline of this piece.
However, lovers of noughties rock and those lucky enough to have had the pleasure of visiting the newly opened luxury hotel , will know it to be an apt reference. A song about being made to feel special, looked after, adored.
This establishment , standing proudly on the banks of the River Tyne, certainly does that.
On the 33rd anniversary of my wife Lisa’s 21st Birthday, we checked in after a lovely stroll along the river and were immediately impressed.
The contemporary, stylish feel of the lobby underpins the whole hotel, which boasts an impressive 118 rooms. On entering our own, we were met with a slick, modern interior, a soothing ambience and, given the prime location, inevitably stunning views.
Rooms are equipped with all the utilities that you could want and more: Apple TV streaming services, iron & ironing board, luxury toiletries. Meanwhile, soft double beds, black out blinds and crisp cotton sheets ensure a quality night of sleep.
There is a wide variety of rooms on offer (see website for the full range) but special mention must go to the Grand Deluxe Suites. These come equipped with open plan dining and lounge areas, outdoor balconies, walk in wardrobes as well as a plethora of other luxuries.
With sunken baths and steam showers, this experience is more like a luxury spa than a hotel room: the perfect place for a romantic getaway or a special occasion.
Although tempted to continue enjoying the opulence of the room, we made our way downstairs for a bite to eat and a sharpener.
In-house eatery, ‘The Grill’ is reminiscent of a set from the slick TV show ‘Mad Men’. Modern art adorns the walls alongside carefully curated combinations of leather seats, dense wooden floors and low hanging lamp shades that cast that perfect, conversation-stimulating shades of light.
The sort of place that it feels right to order a freshly prepared cocktail, because you know you’ll look cool doing it.
We were joined by my son Jack for a celebratory birthday drink, who appeared to have heard rumours of the only Wagyu steak experience in Newcastle. Staff were more than happy to accommodate another for dinner, so we indulged in an array of show-stopping dishes.
We started with king scallop, pork salad and chicken ravioli, before moving on to 340g rib eye and corn-fed chicken with sides of creamed spinach, petit pois and chunky chips. All selected from a seasonal à la carte menu which, as you can tell, provides something for everyone.
If this wasn’t enough, though, we were delighted to then receive a personalised birthday dessert for Lisa. A nice touch- did I mention that they make you feel like the one?
Suitably satiated, we repaired to the bar, which was predictably à la mode, for a few glasses of vino. Like ‘The Grill’, the bar oozes style and seems to invite the kind of conversation that could have kept us down there all night. Similarly tempting was the vast array of cocktails on offer and staff all-knowing in the field of bartending.
After staying perhaps a little longer than we should have on a school night, we said goodnight to our son and retired up to the room.
As predicted, we enjoyed a wonderful night of sleep on pristine cotton sheets, so we were up sharp the next morning, breakfasting regally on a mix of cooked and continental classics.
Some of us even opted for an early morning run across the millennium bridge – with scenery this good, it would have been rude not to. As my legs pounded the pavement I reflected on the stay: the prime location, the elegant rooms, the polished yet personable staff.
From check-in to check-out we were impressed, charmed, courted by the Dakota, a hotel which feels a cut above and certainly made us feel like the one.
dakotahotels.co.uk