Hilton, Newcastle England
I was on a trip slowly making my way up England (on the way to Scotland), and Newcastle upon Tyne seemed like an interesting spot to me. Home of a premier league soccer team, an industrial town quite decent in size, a river port to the ocean, and by far the friendliest people I have met in England.Across the river Tyne is the town of Gateshead, where the Hilton Newcastle actually resides, but it's still very walkable to the downtown of Newcastle, and has quite a view of the city.
Arrival
I boarded the train at Kings Cross station (from platform 6, not 9 3/4), sorry. A few hours were spent in a first-class coach on a lazy Sunday up a gorgeous coastline and through the countryside, until I disembarked at the main Newcastle train station. While it is possible to walk the distance with rolling bags, that is kinda gauche and it was late, so I just grabbed a taxi. I have found Uber unreliable in Britain, and the regular taxis quite fine, so I have stuck with them on my short trips.When I finally got to the hotel around 6:30pm, I was informed during check in that I was upgraded to a larger room with a city view across the river. Not a shabby room. It wasn't a suite, but man, getting suite upgraded is just savage these days at Hilton.
The Room
As I mentioned above, I had been upgraded, and to a pretty decent room. The amount of space was really good and the desk was fantastic for doing work on USA time that a digital nomad must continue with.
Here we are - the now somewhat ubiquitous Traveling with Rob 3D room tour!
Dining
Dining options are Windows on the Tyne bar and Windows on the Tyne restaurant (Wadsworth they are not here). Breakfast is at the restaurant, and I had lunch at the bar one day. Solid, but average expected Hilton food (the burger, yes, I did, again). The breakfast buffet was very heavily "full English" and actually very busy. Options for everyone though, even picky people like me and my impossible-to-feed-daughter (who didn't come on this trip).Amenities
As I have found with many European properties, the gym is actually an external company's gym, and just happens to be in, or connected to the hotel with free use by guests. This one was very well appointed, with great attentive staff and a pool that was very warm even in the wintertime of the grim gray north of England.Executive Lounge
So the Hilton has a proper, staffed, and well-outfitted Executive Lounge, which is my favorite feature of pretty much any property in the world I stay at. I go out of my way to sleep in hotels that have these, and get miffed when they don't have one - either as a benefit of my status or available for purchase.
Outstanding work area
A very gin and scotch heavy bar, but pretty
I would say a medium amount of seating for the bar, which was full at times
The main restaurant, Windows on the Tyne
Endless jams
Full English as they come, bachelor beans...
Ok, I caved, English it was
Finally, not a cardio heavy gym, but very strength oriented
Excellent, large, and warm pool
Nordic invasion of 789 influence still reigns with a sauna
Strange beer from strange lands
Upstairs seating is more secluded
River and city views, they fill up fast, get in early
Wine, wine and wine
Snacks of a limited Rob liking
Summary
Not actually in the city center, but definitely close enough to make a night of it, and if all else fails, walking distance back via 3 different bridges.Breakfast is included with lounge access, so... just get it. The evening service and the lovely people in the lounge I met are more than worth that price.
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