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My Newcastle City Break with Hotel Indigo

July 7, 2017 in Giveaway 44


I feel very lucky to live in the wonderful city that is Newcastle upon Tyne but after calling this place home for over a decade, I can’t remember the last time I wandered around the Toon at a tourist’s pace and took time out to fully appreciate what’s on my doorstep.

So when the team at Hotel Indigo and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse invited James and I over for a staycation it was the perfect opportunity to remind ourselves why 17 million people visit NewcastleGateshead annually!

In this post I’ll share some of my highlights from spending 48 Hours as a tourist in my own city.

Make sure you read to the end for your chance to WIN a three course meal for two people from the new menu at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse in Newcastle!

Where We Stayed:

newcastle city break hotel room

Hotel Indigo is a luxury four star hotel in the heart of the city, it’s literally a two minute walk from the train station with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. It describes itself as a boutique hotel and it does have a chic and sumptuous feel to it but with 148 bedrooms, Hotel Indigo is certainly not tiny. James and I stayed in a King Bed with Balcony Room.

newcastle city break champagne on ice

You can check out my little video tour of the room over on FacebookĀ I was very impressed by the decor and particularly loved having an outdoor space where we could sip our champagne in the sunshine!

Where We Shopped:

fenwick newcastle store beauty hall

Image credit: NGI

Newcastle is a shopper’s paradise; because the city is so compact it’s easy to navigate your way from designer boutique to high street chain easily. James and I headed straight for Northumberland Street, home to my favourite department store, Fenwick!

The Food Hall at Fenwick is the perfect place to pick up local delicacies and the confectionary is simply out of this world! Plus it has all my favourite clothing and cosmetic brands too, I could spend all day (and all my savings!) in there.

Street Entertainer Newcastle

After a casual stroll along Northumberland Street watching the impressive entertainers and listening to the local buskers that line the street on Saturday afternoons, James and I headed for intu Eldon Square. There’s over 150 stores crammed in to city’s main shopping centre, I never fail to come out with a bargain or two; New Look, Oasis, Topshop and Debenhams are all definite faves.

central arcade newcastle

I also dragged my shopping-phobic fella to Central Arcade in Newcastle’s Grainger Town. James might not be a fan of retail therapy but even he can’t deny the beauty of this Edwardian hidden gem!

Where We Roamed:

Exhibition Park

Despite being a bustling city with all the urban amenities you could wish for, Newcastle also has plenty of peaceful green spaces. Within a few minutes walk of the busy high street, we found ourselves in Exhibition Park, home to a bowling club, adventure playground, tennis courts, tranquil lake and miniature steam railway. Not to mention the jewel in its crown, Wylam Brewery, located in the Palace of Arts in the centre of the park.

Wylam Brewery

This marvellous micro brewery and tap room is the perfect place for a refreshing pint. Check out North East Family Fun’s blog for a detailed post about a day out at Exhibition Park and meal at Wylam Brewery.

Where We Had Pre-dinner Drinks:

Balcony at Hotel Indigo

After freshening up back at Hotel Indigo and sipping champagne on our hotel balcony, we checked out Yolo Townhouse, a cool new bar on High Bridge. Saturday nights in the Toon are always buzzing and the bar was full of party people. I enjoyed the best Espresso Martini I’d had in a long time and let the bar’s photographer get this snap of us before heading for a meal (thanks for the new profile pic Yolo)!

Image Credit: Yolo Townhouse

Where We Ate:

With Newcastle’s best steak house just a staggering distance from our room for the night, we never had any intention to dine anywhere other thanĀ Marco Pierre White located on the ground floor of Hotel Indigo.

This wasn’t our first time at the restaurant (in fact we’re big fans, see an earlier review HERE) and we remembered how huge the portions were so decided to share every course… a delicious smoked salmon starter, the most amazing, mouth-watering cote de boeuf, cooked on the bone and packed full of flavour, followed by a drool-worthy trio of desserts. I was in foodie heaven!

Needless to say I slept like a log in our sumptuous room after all that amazing food!

Where We Wandered After Check Out:

Despite still being full from dinner the night before I couldn’t resist indulging in a hearty English breakfast on Sunday morning. It was cooked to order in the hotel restaurant and even included yummy black pudding, it had to be done, right? (There was also an impressive selection of continental breakfast options available).

hotel indigo newcastle city break

It fuelled us up for a lovely walk along Newcastle Quayside where the weekly Sunday market was taking place (read more about the Quayside Sunday market HERE).

No Newcastle city break is complete without taking in the iconic sights around the River Tyne.Ā Baltic and Sage dominate the landscape, along with all the famous bridges, it’s an Instagram lovers dream!

ice cream van sage gateshead, newcastle quayside

Where Else We’d Recommend:

I feel like I say this all the time but NewcastleGateshead really does have so much to offer! There’s always a festival or event going on and whether arts and culture or shopping and partying is more your thing, you’ll definitely not be disappointed!

georgian street northern england

The things I find myself recommending over and over again are Tyneside Cinema, the historic Grainger Market, a trip to the seaside, intu Metrocentre, Tyne and Wear museums, English Heritage properties and our awesome nightlife!

Your Chance to Win!

Thanks for reading all about my Newcastle staycation, if you love it here as much as I do I’d love to read your comments on this post. I’m also giving you the chance to win a three course meal for two people from the new a la carte menu at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse at Hotel Indigo. Just follow the instructions below and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Entries Close 19thĀ July and a winner will be picked at random after this point. Prize to be redeemed August ā€“ October 2017, date restrictions may apply. Competition winner will be required to have their photograph taken on date of reservation and will feature on the Facebook and Twitter pages of MPW within 28 days of visiting. Dinner is from the a la carte menu and does not include drinks. Winner will be notified of any further terms and conditions that may apply by the management.

Big thanks to the team at Hotel Indigo and MPW for providing me with an overnight stay and meal for two and giving me the chance to write this post. All opinions are my own.

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Deborah Nicholas
6 years ago

That all sounds amazing and I would love to take my mum!

Katie
6 years ago

Love this post. Made me wanna get out and about in Newcastle rather than just working!

I’d deffo treat my long suffering other half, Kris to a meal. He’s as much as a greedy guts as me.

Katie xoxo

Sam | North East Family Fun Travel Blog

What a fantastic weekend you have. I’m entering the giveaway and I’d love to take Steve – obvs we’re both big foodies but have yet to venture to MPW!

newgirlintoon
6 years ago

Nothing beats being a tourist in your own city! I’d happily have an indulgent weekend away in the Toon every month if I could. The Hotel Indigo looks beautiful and I love your itinerary!

Karen R
Karen R
6 years ago

I’d love to enjoy a trip to Newcastle with my hubby on a rare day out without the kids šŸ™‚

Vivien Baird
Vivien Baird
6 years ago

Sounds like you had a great weekend I would treat my Husband to a meal at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse at Hotel Indigo.

Emma Cale
Emma Cale
6 years ago

I would love to treat my other half to a night out as we’re busy working and renovating a house all the other time!!

christine shelley
christine shelley
6 years ago

My sister who lives in Seaham

Katherine
Katherine
6 years ago

Great blog! Am fairly new to Newcastle. I’d take my boyfriend šŸ™‚

The Hoopers
6 years ago

It’s got to be my husband Alan. We haven’t had the chance to celebrate our 12 wedding anniversary yet!

brenda heads
brenda heads
6 years ago

I would take my sister, we could shop first and would have a great time.

Lorna Nicoll
Lorna Nicoll
6 years ago

My mum

Susan Hoggett (@susanhoggett)

I’d treat my daughter to a meal so we can spend some time together

thelovecatsinc
6 years ago

I’d love to win this on behalf of my sister and brother-in-law as their anniversary is coming up soon and they never get to go away anywhere!

Rosie
6 years ago

I’d love to take my other half, we only get back to the North East sporadically so he hasn’t seen much of my fav city! Great post šŸ™‚

Charlotte
Charlotte
6 years ago

I’d treat my gorgeous friend Louise so we can have a good catch up over a bottle or two of something fizzy!

Holly Siberry
Holly Siberry
6 years ago

I went to the Marco Pierre White restaurant for my brother’s graduation and it was amazing! Would love to go back again with my partner and have our own staycation šŸ™‚

Caroline
6 years ago

Looks like such a great day and night. We are lucky to have so many options in the North East.

Haley Redshaw
Haley Redshaw
6 years ago

My Hubby, would love of abit of us time šŸ™‚

Rich Tyler
Rich Tyler
6 years ago

My wife for being a saint! lol

Sheila Sloan
Sheila Sloan
6 years ago

I’d love to bring my husband, Andrew.

Jamie Millard
Jamie Millard
6 years ago

Love the food at MPW restaurants. I treated my girlfriend sarah to a lovely meal in the Edinburgh restaurant recently. We’ve a trip to Newcastle planned soon, this would be a brilliant treat on our trip.

Emma
Emma
6 years ago

My best mate

thediymum17
6 years ago

I’d love to take my husband. We haven’t got out much since little one was born so this would be a great treat!

Kerry L
Kerry L
6 years ago

I’d take my mum, we’d go shopping, have a lovely wander around her favourite Grainger Market then enjoy a fab lunch – maybe a cocktail or two, you never know!

Barry
Barry
6 years ago

Live outside Newcastle now but will always be home, back regularly and this would be a perfect treat for my fiance while we are in the area!

Matt F
Matt F
6 years ago

If I’m lucky enough I’d take my wife.

nomipalony
6 years ago

Great giveaway. What a great staycaction you had. Hotel Indigo looks great too, I hadn’t heard of it.

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[…] is located just a couple of minutes walk from Newcastle Central Station within Hotel Indigo so it’s a great meeting point and the plush Grainger Lounge offers the perfect setting for a […]

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[…] reserved a booth in the lobby bar at Hotel Indigo as I thought the laid back atmosphere would give us the chance to have a proper catch up before […]

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[…] We were joined by the restaurant’s marketing manager Adam who was on hand to recommend dishes from the mouth-watering menu. I was glad to see that some of my best-loved dishes have remained like the traditional smoked salmon starter and the signature steaks that MPW is famous for. You can read about what I thought of these dishes on a previous review here. […]

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