Review: inside Melia’s new INNSiDE Newcastle hotel

This is our review of the new INNSiDE Newcastle hotel.

INNSiDE is possibly not a hotel brand you are familiar with. It is a design-led upscale ‘lifestyle’ (ie. leisure) brand with 32 hotels now open.

It first came to Britain in 2015, with the opening of INNSiDE Manchester which Rob reviewed here.

Since then, a number of new INNSiDE properties have opened including Liverpool and most recently Newcastle, which opened in December 2021.

The hotel website is here.

Having never stayed at an INNSiDE before, or done much research on the brand, I was looking forward to being surprised by what INNSiDE Newcastle had to offer. I wasn’t disappointed.

Melia offered us a free night to try out the hotel when it found out that I would be in town as part of my UK airport lounges tour, sponsored by Priority Pass. My review of the Aspire lounge at Newcastle Airport is here.

Location

The INNSiDE Newcastle is a brand new building by Quayside, right on the banks of the River Tyne, almost next to the high level bridge.

If you have been to Newcastle before you will know it is quite hilly – prepare to hike down the steep embankments of the city if you arrive by public transport!

Inside the INNSiDE Newcastle

The interiors are dominated by bright, light-filled public spaces and rooms with (mostly) white walls, lots of glass and light coloured woods.

On the ground floor you have an open plan lobby that blends into the restaurant and bar area:

Staff are very friendly and I was checked in quickly.

Rooms at the INNSiDE Newcastle

I was given a Studio room on the top floor (there are six in total). Instead of paper ‘do not disturb’ signs you have these fun wooden blocks outside your door which you can rotate depending on whether you want your room serviced or not:

Inside is an open-plan bedroom and bathroom:

On the right you have an open wardrobe with luggage rack and tea and coffee facilities:

There is a Nespresso machine with Nespresso-branded capsules. Plus some fun mugs and espresso cups. Other amenities include a cork yoga mat.

On the other side of the room you have the open plan bathroom:

I rather like this. The mirror partially separates bathroom from bedroom but it is otherwise fairly open:

The shower is in a cubicle on the left whilst the toilet is obviously also separate. I know not everyone likes open plan bathrooms but the INNSiDE Newcastle is one of the better ones I have seen, using the bathroom elements themselves to partially screen it from the rest of the room.

Toiletries are own-branded but very pleasant, with essential oils:

The room itself is large:

The king bed is first – and is actually quite close to the bathroom wall. As you can see slippers and dressing gowns are laid out and appear to be good quality:

Connectivity is great as there are plenty of three-pin and USB sockets:

Next to the bed and by the window is a two-person sofa:

…. whilst opposite the bed is a large TV and a table and two chairs:

Finally, here is the stunning view from my room:

The room is very spacious and whilst the fittings are cheaper (ie. not real wood) a lot of thought has been put into the design. It looks smart but has a personality in the mugs or brightly coloured rotary telephone.

Restaurant, bar and breakfast

Like several other INNSiDE hotels the hotel has a Gino D’Acampo restaurant on the ground floor. I wasn’t able to have dinner here but this is also where breakfast is served in the mornings.

It is a lovely, L-shaped space that curves around with views of the river and the high bridge:

and

The breakfast buffet is beautiful presented:

and

and

There is a small range of cold cuts available as well as some smoked salmon. All the necessary items for a full English are present, and fried and poached eggs are available to order.

I was impressed by the breakfast – it is a beautiful space but the food offering and presentation was also far better than I expected.

Conclusion

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the INNSiDE Newcastle but I have to admit I was very pleasantly surprised. The hotel is light and airy and the rooms are smart with a little personality.

You’d be hard pressed to do better for £80, which is what a weekday night was selling for last month, would set you back. At that price you’re veering into select service levels, but at the INNSiDE you still get large rooms and lots of amenities including coffee machines, slippers and dressing gowns.

If you have an American Express Platinum card, remember that your card gets you free MeliaRewards Gold status. The benefits are here and you may also have some 20% discount codes in your online Melia account.

MeliaRewards is also an Avios partner. You can either convert your MeliaRewards points or earn them directly, instead of taking points, at 3 Avios per €1 spent.

You can find out more about the hotel, and book, on the Melia website here.

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How to get MeliaRewards Gold status from American Express (April 2024)

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE MeliaRewards Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Gold and Radisson Rewards Premium status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

You can discover the benefits of MeliaRewards Gold status on the Melia website here. It includes three vouchers per year worth 20% off any booking.

Small business owners may want to consider American Express Business Platinum instead:

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)