STAY : Holiday Inn Express Newcastle City Centre, 5 min to the train station
On Friday, January 24th, Storm Eowyn was barrelling in from the West, hammering Ireland and making its way into Scotland. I needed to get home to Edinburgh from London. Trains departing London King's Cross were being gradually cancelled, but I knew I had to escape London, be it to York, Carlisle, or Newcastle, as Network Rail had engineering works planned for Saturday and Sunday, which meant no trains would be leaving London over the weekend. This would have necessitated taking the underground, a bus, and then a train back to Scotland amid the residual chaos from Storm Eowyn on Friday. Fortunately, I managed to secure one of the last few trains stopping in Newcastle; and at least Newcastle is only 1.5 hours away from home!
REVIEW OF THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS, NEWCASTLE CITY CENTRE
I needed to book a hotel room, and with the train delayed arriving into Newcastle due to the weather, I aimed to find one as close to the train station as possible. Fortunately, the Holiday Inn Express was only a five-minute walk away. With the wind pushing me along, it might have been a three-minute walk, but it felt more like thirty as I struggled to keep my suitcase on the ground while following my sat nav to the hotel.
Normally, I take hundreds of photos and videos whenever I travel, but the storm and my inability to get home left me with only one desire: to huddle in bed, stay cozy, and wait for the storm to pass. Fortunately, Newcastle train station has an M&S, where I bought myself some dinner before braving the wind and navigating the many fallen slate roof tiles scattered on the pavements.
The staff at the Holiday Inn Express where just lovely, super friendly and had me checked in, in no time.
The rooms are designed with both comfort and convenience in mind. The room is modern and well-appointed, featuring a very comfortable bed with plush bedding and superb pillows ensuring a restful night's sleep. The décor is sleek and contemporary, with thoughtful touches such as blackout curtains and soundproof windows to provide a peaceful environment - this was a god-send and I genuinely never even heard the storm raging outside.
There’s free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and coffee/tea making facilities. The en-suite bathroom is equipped with a powerful shower, fluffy white towels and complimentary toiletries. There is aircon which I couldn’t figure out how to switch off but I also couldn’t be bothered asking. (I am sure had a asked reception, they would have informed me).
Breakfast is included and offers buffet style continental and cooked breakfasts. All in all, a great budget friendly place to stay when visiting Newcastle.
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS NEWCASTLE
5 minutes walk from the train station
Plenty of onsite parking
They are pet friendly
Free wi-fi
They have 7 accessible rooms
Check in at 3pm and check out at 11am
Prices start from £57 per room including breakfast
Holiday Inn Express, Waterloo Square St James Boulevard, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4DN www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/gb/en/newcastle-upon-tyne