HOTEL of the week

CROWNE PLAZA NEWCASTLE

WHERE AND WHY On the site of Robert Stephenson’s train factory, this stylish modern hotel can’t get much closer to the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Today the area, in the middle of a redevelopment, is perfectly placed for a city adventure or a business stop-off. A five-minute walk from one side takes you to the heart of Newcastle. Five minutes from the other winds down the hill and under the feet of the city’s beautiful bridges to the hip Quayside area. WHILE YOU’RE THERE If the shopping, nightlife, bars, old castle, Baltic centre or the Sage Gateshead aren’t enough, the city

also hosts the Great Exhibition of the North. Running until September 9, its bigticket numbers range from the fountain water sculpture on the Tyne to some fantastic shows for kids, from robots to a northern history in Lego, as well as a host of small, charming exhibitions dotted around the streets (Getnorth2018.com). After a long day, unwind in the hotel’s spa, gym or head for a swim – we had the pool to ourselves. Perfect.

ON THE MENU One thing Newcastle is not short of today is restaurants, from highend Blackfriars to the fun COOP Chicken

House. But if you eat in the hotel, there are two options – Hawthorns Brasserie, the main dining area, which has steaks from €22, or the busy evening Gin Bar offering smaller bites such as chilli fried squid for €7, and – true to its name – an impressive cocktail gin and tonic menu. Breakfast in the airy main restaurant is equally busy. Don’t miss the great bacon from the hot and cold buffet, and you can ask for omelettes and more to be cooked to order. WAKE-UP CALL Rooms at the Crowne Plaza Newcastle from €125.

ihg.com/crowneplaza HELEN BEATTY