Holiday Inn Express Newcastle City Centre

We’ve stayed here several times. The staff are always friendly and helpful, and the rooms are clean and have what we need for a short visit. It’s handy for the Life Science Centre and Discovery Museum, with the main station about five minutes away on foot and Grainger Market around 10-15 minutes. The multi-storey car park is right beside the hotel and usually has spaces on the upper levels even when it’s busy. Prices are average for the city centre, there’s a lift, and you can drop off or collect luggage outside the hotel before or after parking. Breakfast wasn’t quite as good on our latest visit, with no fresh fruit out, for example. They still only offer soya milk, not oat milk, so vegan or lactose-intolerant guests may find the options limited. The coffee has never been great, so we usually pick up a takeaway elsewhere afterwards.

Nathan in the restaurant was a credit to himself and the company. He was professional and courteous, and showed genuine interest and care toward my son, who has autism. That personal attention stood out and would make me return without hesitation. At check-in, the gentleman at the desk wasn’t very welcoming. My son can be outgoing and likes talking to people, and I felt the reply he got was a little abrupt. A bit more warmth and understanding would have been nice. There was also noticeable yellow staining on the bathroom skirting boards and floor. I don’t know what caused it, but it was off-putting and not what I’d expect in a hotel bathroom.

We paid extra for a double room but were given two single beds on opposite sides of the room. It wasn’t a huge issue, though it was annoying to pay more and not get what we’d booked. The location was great, around three minutes’ walk from the train station, five from the arena and roughly 15 minutes from the centre. Everyone we met was lovely, the customer service was impeccable, and our room was comfortable, spacious and homely despite not costing much.

The lobby breakfast room is spacious and also makes a good place to work or relax outside your room. Spanish lager fans should try the Cruzcampo on draft. If the hotel is busy, get to breakfast early, otherwise the queue can be substantial. We’ve stayed at dozens and dozens of Holiday Inn Express hotels across the UK and USA, and this one is a strong example. I’ve spent probably 25+ nights here over the years, so I’ve had plenty of chances to get a feel for it. The front desk staff are what really set it apart, always friendly and helpful. The rooms are above average, and the location is excellent for Central train station, restaurants and shopping. The rooms have been quiet in our experience, even more so than higher-end places like the Crowne Plaza, where doors between adjoining rooms can let noise through. One thing to know is the upper-floor rooms can get warm, which some people might like and others might not. It’s a good-value hotel for families, business travellers and others.