Hotel Gotham Newcastle: Glamour has officially arrived in the North East

At the core of this reinvention is Hotel Gotham Newcastle - the city’s first five-star offering and one that, with its lavishly theatrical flair, feels ideally at home in a city with such a big personality. 

The hotel occupies a Grade II-listed former fire headquarters in the city centre. While the brand’s trademark Art Deco glamour is still very much in evidence, the property makes frequent reference to its heritage, featuring nods to its firefighting history throughout its decor. Not only have original architectural features been retained and restored, but other design flourishes have been incorporated - such as lighting crafted from decommissioned fire hoses, and upended fire buckets repurposed as shades. In the public areas, vibrant red elements enliven a colour scheme primarily combining deep black with warming neutral shades. 

The 57 bedrooms are no less impressive, with monochrome detailing and luxe materials. Large beds are framed with exaggerated velvet headboards, while marble bathrooms evoke old-school glamour. Emerald and brass accents add to the opulence, with armchairs to sink into - accompanied by one of the design books, found in the generous desk area. In the corridors, natural light floods in via floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the entrance courtyard. 

Downstairs, the hotel’s FIRE bar is a lively focal point for guests, locals and visitors alike but it’s at Club Brass, hidden away behind the bar, that you get a genuine sense of exclusivity. This members-style lounge is only accessible to those in selected room categories, with an atmosphere reminiscent of a speakeasy. Small booths tucked into the walls ensure intimate conversation without background noise, and the staff are attentive without ever being intrusive. 

Hotel Gotham is set to expand; work is currently underway on the other part of the building: the former police station and magistrate’s court will increase the number of rooms and add an impressive events space. 

According to Connell, who guides us to the hidden door behind which Club Brass is found, this area of central Newcastle wasn’t, in recent years, one you’d have actively sought out. Hotel Gotham is just one part of its renaissance - step outside onto Pilgrim Street and Newcastle unfolds effortlessly in front of you. Within a few minutes’ walk, you’re strolling Grey Street - often considered one of the country’s best examples of a Georgian street. Further on, the grandeur of Theatre Royal is a cultural hub, with a year-round programme of opera and West End productions. Downhill from here, the streets open onto the Quayside which, with the industrial arch of the Tyne Bridge and the intersecting curves of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, is probably Newcastle’s most distinctive view. The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, housed within a former flour mill, lies just across the river; next door, the Glasshouse International Centre for Music hosts performances both classical and contemporary, and has established itself as one of Britain's most dynamic concert venues. 

Accompanied by a guide from CBK Adventures, we take to the water in kayaks, each named after a celebrity, although not necessarily a Geordie. Paddling against the river’s soft, brownish drift, we attempt to compile a list of suitably homegrown names. Sting, Ant and Dec, Alan Shearer? 

Inevitably - and justifiably - a statue of the footballer has pride of place outside Newcastle’s football stadium, St James’ Park, which can be visited on a 90-minute tour. Across the way, STACK street food market, with its range of vendors is just one example of Newcastle's burgeoning food scene, as are many of the independently owned cafes within the thoughtfully restored Victorian Central Arcade and Grainger Market. 

Presided over by Newcastle Castle - the Norman fortress from which the city takes its name - the area further afield is scattered with such dramatic architecture. On a day trip, we explore the remote Holy Island, home to just 150 inhabitants and cut off from the mainland at high tide. Here, Lindisfarne Castle, set atop Beblowe Crag, a 30-metre high volcanic plug, seems to gaze impassively at walkers tackling the causeway (the circular route, along an historic Pilgrim’s Way, takes about four hours to complete) and the carpark crowded with tour buses. Beyond Holy Island, Northumberland offers other day trip options, from the Harry Potter-famous Alnwick Castle to Bamburgh Castle overlooking its vast beach, as well as the wild landscapes of Northumberland National Park and the Roman frontier of Hadrian's Wall.

It’s not that often that a UK city can lay claim to such variety: coastline and countryside within easy reach of an increasingly sophisticated urban centre. Back in the polished interiors of the Gotham, the hotel’s arrival in Newcastle seems to make perfect sense: its personality reflects a confidence in the future, while embracing the city’s past, and it places visitors squarely within walking distance of its contemporary highlights while providing a relaxing haven - along with a bit of a cheeky wink - to those who have spent the day venturing beyond Newcastle itself. 

Sarah was a guest of Hotel Gotham Newcastle.