As a belated Christmas gift from my two kids, my wife Lisa and I recently checked into Hotel Indigo Newcastle. As we knew from experience, Hotel Indigo is a hotel which ticks all the boxes for both business and leisure travellers and this occasion proved no different.
The hotel boasts that enviable NE1 postcode and is perfectly placed to explore all of which the city has to offer. Newcastle Central Station is a mere two minutes away with all other restaurants, shops, bars and attractions all within walking distance.
Business facilities include complimentary WiFi and a modern business centre, whilst there’s also a fitness suite and cocktail lounge. Food & drink is a big consideration here and the jewel in the crown is unquestionably the sleek, celebrity Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill – more on which later!
Another thing which really stands out is the team’s commitment to customer service. On arrival, we were greeted warmly and checked-in by some of the friendliest reception staff we’ve encountered. The design of the hotel is very much in-keeping with the area it occupies. Newcastle’s historic Grainger Town has long been renowned as a hub for architecture and innovation and little nods to the city’s bridges, arches and monuments can be found in the hotel’s wall art and bedroom design. For a large-scale, 148 bedroom hotel, Hotel Indigo possesses all the charm of a boutique property with stylish splashes of colour and geometric patterns.
The hotel’s guest rooms range from Executive King rooms to Superior rooms with feature balconies. Ours was the latter (thanks kids!) and featured all requisite mod cons, including LCD TV’s, tea & coffee making facilities and a swish rain shower. Lisa took in the city from new heights on the balcony whilst I kicked back and grew acquainted with a locally-produced tipple ‘Grainger Ale’ which is provided complimentary in many of the rooms. A lovely touch indeed!
After changing for dinner, we headed down for what would be a superb dining experience. The hotel’s MPW Steakhouse is one of the city’s top destination restaurants and remains a firm favourite for special occasions, business lunches and afternoon teas.
The celebrity-endorsed eatery aspires to “take gastronomy to a new level” and its exciting menu reflects these intentions with a parade of tastes, textures and flavours to choose from. The dining area has a convivial buzz about it, whilst a monochrome-cast Marco broods quietly over proceedings. Perhaps that’s why the service is so snappy? Starters soon arrived and tasted very good. Lisa enjoyed the tartare of fresh salmon with Melba toast whilst I tucked into the tempuracoated calamari & shrimp with a fresh lemon accompaniment.
Cautioned by Lisa not to have ANOTHER peppered steak, I tried “The Governor’s Steak & Ale Pie” with buttered peas. A hearty dish, this packed loads of flavour and really hit the mark. Now who says pie & peas can’t be sexy?
For her main, Lisa sampled Chicken a la Forestiere, a tender fillet of chicken served in Maidera pan juices with a fricassee of wild mushrooms.
Naturally, expert cooking such as this demands a fine wine to accompany and our Waiter was happy to recommend an excellent bottle of Merlot from the restaurant’s extensive wine selection. Purely for medicinal purposes though, you must understand.
The following morning, Lisa enjoyed a pamper in our suite’s marbled bathroom whilst I headed for the hotel’s fitness suite to sweat out some of the party pounds. Whilst compact in size, the gym features all of the latest cardio & resistance equipment and is perfect for any traveller looking to stay in shape.
A freshly-prepared breakfast rounded off what had been a memorable stay. At least one year on from our last visit, we both agreed that Hotel Indigo offers much appeal whether you’re away on business or enjoying a leisure break.
Well-appointed rooms, friendly service, classy dining and all from its prime city centre location.
