Like all of the best hotels, Hotel Gotham arrives with a lobby-full of history.
For almost a century, this striking, grade-II listed building on Newcastle’s Pilgrim Street, served as the city’s fire and police station, and has now been transformed into a plush, five-star hotel with a taste for the theatrical.
Originally designed by pre-eminent architects Cackett, Burns Dick & Mackellar, the building’s transformation is nothing short of spectacular, retaining its bones while dialling up the glamour to the shrieking shrill of a fire alarm.
Having long admired the building’s grand stone façade, it feels like I’ve watched its restoration take place brick by brick while on business in the city. Given a suitable gap in the weather, my wife Lisa and I booked in for all it had to offer.
As one would expect from a luxury boutique hotel group, Hotel Gotham really emits that ‘Wow’ factor on arrival. Lisa – who loves all things Golden Age cinema – was quick to acknowledge its Art Deco influences with modern amenities. Interiors soon seduce with inky-black walls, ornate curves and bold splashes of fire-engine red.
Behind the similarly bright red doors of the bedrooms, guests will find havens of comfort and luxury. These continue the aesthetic narrative: monochrome with pops of red, zig-zag carpets, quirky art and statement headboards. The large bathroom, comprising swish rainfall shower, was put to good use after a morning run.
Other amenities include flat screen TV, high-speed complimentary WiFi and a minibar carefully curated with local goodies.
What came next was a touch of pure Hotel Gotham. A knock on the door heralded the arrival of the ‘martini trolley’. Rolling into the room with reassuring clink, our expert mixologist swiftly spun up a crisp gin martini for Lisa and a Vesper for yours truly. Together, we raised a glass to the full five-star treatment.
Nicely fortified, we were eager to get out and explore the rest of the hotel and its surroundings. While a warm reception should always be a given at hotels of this calibre, this one came a little closer to home. We were delighted to find our (future) son-in-law Josh’s friend, Jorge, working as concierge with charm to burn.
Jorge told us more about Hotel Gotham’s deluxe concierge service. From traditional touches such as flowers, chocolates and champagne to more adventurous requests like sports and entertainment tickets (even hot air balloon flights were mentioned), nothing is too much trouble.
As locals we had no trouble finding our bearings, but it was nice to find cultural attractions such as the Theatre Royal, Quayside, Hancock Museum and St James’ Park within reassuring proximity.
Returning to the hotel, we discovered reception buzzing with Barcelona supporters who had made Gotham their base ahead of that weeks impending Champions League fixture.
Their presence underlined the hotel’s growing status as a destination in its own right: a place where international fans, weekend visitors and locals naturally converge.
Our Sunday lunch at Siren – former firefighters’ mess hall turned dining room – proved a highlight. Lisa began with a beautifully balanced ham hock terrine with pease pudding and saffron shallots, followed by a panfried chicken supreme with crisp roast potatoes.
I opted for heritage beetroots with hazelnut and shallot dressing before moving to a treacle-cured sirloin of beef, a standout among the restaurant’s modern British, locally sourced Sunday lunch menu.
For pairings, a chilled Picpoul de Pinet worked well with the terrine, while a full-bodied Rioja Reserva complemented the richness of the beef.
We adjourned to ‘Fire Bar’ to round off what had been a fabulous stay. Since opening, Gotham has established itself as one of Newcastle’s most distinctive stays. Classy, hospitable and unafraid of a little spectacle, it should appeal to destination-seeking locals, business travellers and weekend city breakers alike.
The city has long cried out for a hotel of this standard , and much like the firefighters of yesteryear, Hotel Gotham answers the call with aplomb.
For more information, visit www.hotelgotham.co.uk/newcastle