Hotel Indigo Newcastle by IHG

The bed was comfortable, the location was great, and I liked the lobby and bar. There was plenty of space in the bedroom too. There seemed to be a lack of attention to detail, though. The fridge was dirty, the shower felt worn and grimy in places, and there was a large hole in the bedding that I’m surprised no one noticed. I’ve stayed at four Hotel Indigos, and this was my least favourite. It didn’t feel up to the same standard as the others. When I mentioned the fridge, staff offered to clean it, but for just one night I didn’t feel it was worth the hassle.

The front desk team made my two-night stay. They were genuinely kind, sweet and friendly, which was a welcome change from the usual impersonal feel of automation. The room, though, was a different story. On arrival I found three loose hairs on the shower wall, and they were still there the following day. There was heavy limescale around the shower tiles, a huge clump of it inside the sink drain, and dust building up at the far end of the shower tray. I also found a coarse dark hair folded into a towel at 6am while rushing to check out for an early train, so I had to dry off with a hand towel. I’m not a brunette, and the thought of it made me want to wash with antiseptic when I got home. I do mobility work each morning and wore red wool socks on the first day. They left a little fluff on the rug by the bed, and it was still there the next morning, so the room hadn’t been vacuumed. The entryway had no main light switch either, leaving me to figure out how to turn the lights on like an electrical investigator. I also had to latch the door overnight because anyone could walk through the area leading to the room, despite CCTV nearby, and the door didn’t close by itself. That needs adjusting. Please improve the room checks and housekeeping. The staff were lovely, but these problems barely earn a star.

The staff were welcoming and helpful, and having secure underground parking was handy for driving into Newcastle. My room was spacious, clean and modern, with a comfortable bed, a spotless practical bathroom and all the basics I needed to unwind after a long day. I used a voucher at the hotel restaurant. The chicken salad and burger were tasty, and breakfast had a good range. The chicken broth was the letdown, it came across more like mild chicken-flavoured water with noodles than a rich soup. The bar and restaurant are convenient, especially when meals are included, though there are other city-centre places to eat if you’re staying for leisure and want to explore. Hotel Indigo Newcastle felt fresh and stylish, and I’d gladly return, particularly for a business trip.

The bar and restaurant staff bring a lot of energy and make the place feel welcoming. I heard from another guest that there was talk of possibly closing the restaurant and letting some staff go. That would be a real shame, especially for business travellers who may not want to head out for dinner after a long day, or when travelling alone. The food I had was excellent and very well prepared, though the menu could use more variety. Chicken was the only main protein option, which might put guests off eating in for more than one night. The recently renovated lobby, bar and restaurant are a great place to relax after work, with colleagues or by yourself. My room was clean, stylish and comfortable, and the rear car park and central location made getting around Newcastle easy. Lovely people and a lovely hotel. I’d absolutely stay again and hope the restaurant remains part of what makes it stand out.