Caledonian

The room was a little chilly at first, but the electric heaters soon warmed it up. It was nicely decorated, and the two-course meal was tasty. We were there for a baby shower and had a lovely time.

The room was unbearably hot, even though I’m usually cold and like warmth. We arrived around 8:20 pm and asked if the heating could be turned down or off. We were told it ran on a timer and would stop at 9, but it was still on when we went out at about 9:20 and when we got back around 11:30. The windows were tiny, and opening them along with the hotel door didn’t help much. We slept badly because of the heat and both woke with very sore throats. I also used the iron on my white blazer before going out. Pressing the steam button sent out a lot of brown sludge and ruined it. I cleaned off as much as I could, but some remained. The water opening had no lid either, so water spilled out if the iron was moved too quickly. There were good points: the room was clean, spacious, and had a comfortable bed. The bathroom was roomy too. We were on the second floor and had no noise trouble. There’s a bar attached, with other bars nearby, and we found a parking space at the side of the hotel, though it’s first come, first served.

The breakfast was poor, with pale sausages, hard eggs, and soggy mushrooms. Someone’s food phone was playing tinny Christmas music right beside us, even though the previous night they’d managed to use a decent sound system. Parking is hit and miss, and the hotel is difficult to navigate for anyone with a disability: there are lots of steps, and breakfast would be a challenge. We were kept awake by very loud music coming through the walls from downstairs at 11 pm. When I called, the receptionist hung up before I could speak, then raised her voice even though I stayed calm. There are other safety and maintenance problems too. Water leaked from the shower all over the floor, making it a slipping hazard. The drawer front came off in our hands, the bedside light didn’t work, corridor signs were unclear, and the handrails were dangerously loose. I’d seen reviews mentioning noise and heat from the kitchen, and now I understand the complaints. The parking is unpredictable too. I wouldn’t come back or recommend this hotel. It’s one to avoid, and I’d take at least two stars off its rating.

We’ve stayed here several times and will come back on our next visit. It’s a pleasant 20-minute walk into Newcastle city centre. The staff are friendly, the hotel is clean, and the rooms have what you need, including a comfortable bed. I’d definitely recommend it.