Staying at Sandman Signature Newcastle Hotel

Scott and I made a trip up to Newcastle following NYE celebrations in London and while visiting, stayed at the Sandman Signature Hotel. While booking hotels, we chose the Sandman because of the proximity to Newcastle United Football Club’s St. James Park Stadium (literally across the street, and Scott got a nice view of the stadium from our hotel room window) because we were going to be doing a stadium tour as well as attend a match while in town.

We basically had gotten off a major international flight for 2 days in London, then back on a plane - it gets exhausting, thankfully the flight to Newcastle was a short one and the airport was easy to get out of. Catching a cab was a cinch and I think they were in abundance as the time we came in was a off peak period of the morning. It was about £16 to get from the airport to our hotel, and £10 to go from out hotel to the airport (so I’m taking it that the taxi drivers add on some kind of fare surcharge or something for airport pick up). Check in at the Sandman Signature Hotel was seamless and Scott and I were able to receive early check in (cause we did arrive to the hotel at about 10am and we usually aren’t able to receive early check in at most hotels we have stayed at). Of course, I had quite a few points of interest that I wanted to visit while in Newcastle, but once we got in the room, put our things down and took off our shoes, we plopped ourselves down on the bed and knocked out. I would say it was the mixture of jetlag, lack of sleep following the NYE celebrations and the early flight did us in.

I made us get up at about 6pm so that we could walk around a bit and find a place to eat. I could see the Chinatown gate from our window, so I suggested to Scott to head over there to find a place for dinner. The hotel is just about a block walking distance to Chinatown and another block to get into where the busier streets are with shopping, and if you take another 10-15 minute walk (if that) then you’re at Grey’s monument, a historical landmark! It’s really easy to get around and explore much of Newcastle into Gateshead. The following day after the stadium tour, we walked to Grey’s Monument then down to the quayside to grab a pint. It was nice that we could see so much and it was close distance to the hotel.

I was quite impressed by the hotel itself, the only impression I had of it was from pictures, and I feel like the “real thing” may not always look like how it is depicted in pictures, but the Sandman Signature actually looked as modern and impeccably styled as the photos. The lobby has a few seating areas to choose from, one features a fireplace and another highlights a sprawling image of the Tyne bridge along with a chaise and hanging bubble chair. The hotel also has a popular bar and club, Shark Club Gastro Pub which looks to be like a local hangout fave as well as a fun spot for hotel guests.

I was a little bit apprehensive about the bar/club scene over here with direct access from the hotel lobby, but the sound does not carry from that area to the hotel rooms (thank god - like how it did when Scott and I stayed at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix, it sounded like a Vegas club from day to night). And there didn’t seem to be any loud or obnoxious guests staying in the hotel that would be causing noise disturbances when I’m trying to sleep (which I understand that the hotel can’t control what type of guests stay at their hotel, as well as how intoxicated hotel guests can become, but I think it’s a good reflection on the Sandman Signature as to the kind of guests they are attracting where there isn’t a ruckus in the hallways and lobbies.

In regards to amenities, the only thing I would have wished for was a hair dryer. I wasn’t expecting one to be available at the hotel, but it’s nice to have even a small one since I tend not to do international travel with hair tools because of the plug and voltage differences. One of my fave features aside from the comfy bed was the rain shower and the incredibly fast wifi (when I wasn’t exhausted, I was trying to get as much blog work and uploading videos as possible)! I usually don’t see that unless I’m at, for example, an upscale Vegas hotel room. Upon check out, the front desk called over a taxi for us and just like that we easily checked out and headed to the airport. I have to add a note that there is a taxi/drop off/pick up entrance which is great for alleviating congestion at the front of the lobby. Scott and I were pleasantly surprised at our stay and would highly recommend this hotel for anyone looking to visit Newcastle or attend a NUFC match - a fun fact, the hotel is home to the former Scottish & Newcastle Brewery, the building in which the hotel stands has played a significant role in Newcastle’s history.

OVERALL RATINGS

★★★★★  Location and accessibility from airport and to main points of interests
★★★★★  Cleanliness in the Lobby and Hotel Room
★★★★★ Great aesthetics and hotel personality - fun and modern decor that sets the tone
★★★★☆ .Has most of the usual amenities, wish there was a hair dryer and ironing set if needed
★★★★★  Extremely helpful staff the front desk, personable housekeeping
★★★★★  Affordable, we paid $75 USD/night for a weekend, and during a huge NUFC match v. MAN UTD

👍 For the Sandman Signature Newcastle Hotel

STANDARD KING ROOM

Standard Room: 201 square feet, Smoke-Free 1 King Bed: Pillow-Top Mattress, Premium Bedding 32-inch Flat Screen LCD TV Efficiency Unit: Small Fridge, Microwave Tea & Coffee Making Facilities: Complimentary Coffee, Tea, Biscuits Work Desk: Ergonomic Chair, Desk Lamp, Complimentary Internet Access Private 3-Piece Bathroom: Walk-In Rain Shower, Designer Toiletries

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

Sandman Signature Newcastle Hotel sits in the city center of Newcastle, surrounded by key attractions in the city such as the iconic Newcastle United Football Club Stadium, China Town, city center shopping district, Newcastle University, etc. (all this within 5 minutes walking radius) In addition we are just a few minutes away from the Theatre Royal, the Centre of Life, the city Quayside, the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), and a great selection of restaurants and bars to enjoy this vibrant city.

  • 24-Hour Front Desk

  • Banquet Facilities

  • Business Centre

  • Complimentary Wireless Internet

  • Exercise Gym

  • On-Site Parking (Overnight Fee)

  • On-Site Restaurant

  • Parking

  • Pets Allowed In Select Rooms

  • Room Service

  • Shark Club Gastro Bar

  • Smoke-Free Property

  • Wakeup Service

  • Wheelchair Accessible

Travel, England, International TravelAmanda N Hammondhotel, newcastle, hotels, england, united kingdom, great britain, newcastle gateshead, newcastle upon tyne, tyne and wear, the toon, hotel life, hotel review, newcastle hotel, england hotel, northumbria, northeast england, england 2019, england trip, england hotels, hotel stay, travel, travel diaryComment