Development across NewcastleGateshead has exploded in recent months with a number of national and international hotel brands choosing the destination to broaden their property portfolios.
On the new developments, Jessica Roberts, head of business tourism at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, said: “The volume of hotel proposals, recently opened developments, and those currently under construction in NewcastleGateshead demonstrates real confidence in the destination from a range of international brands.
“The varied choice of accommodation on offer from four-star hotels like a proposed Crowne Plaza to budget accommodation providers including the soon-to-open Sleeperz and recently launched Euro Hostel, means the destination is well equipped to cater for conference and meetings delegates with varying needs and budgets.”
New developments also help to drive up the quality of the accommodation on offer across the destination, as existing properties such as the County Hotel by Thistle and the Royal Station Hotel are also investing significant sums and continue to improve what they have to offer.
Hotels under construction include:
Jurys Inn NewcastleGateshead Quays
Opening date: 25 August 2011
Number of bedrooms: 203
The NewcastleGateshead Quays Jurys Inn will focus on providing the highest level of service and offer an award-winning welcome, in keeping with its sister hotel across the river, Jurys Inn Newcastle, a 274-room hotel opened in 2003. With three dedicated conference rooms, Jurys Inn NewcastleGateshead Quays aims to become an important partner to local businesses, as well as working closely with the local community. www.jurysinns.com
Sandman Signature Hotel Newcastle
Opening date: September 2011
Number of bedrooms: 175
The Sandman Signature Hotel Newcastle is a fabulous, modern, 175-room boutique-inspired hotel, located in the former Scottish & Newcastle Brewery offices at Downing Plaza – in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne. Guests will find themselves steps from the city’s key attractions and conference venues including St. James Park, Newcastle and Northumbria universities and The Sage Gateshead. Metro and rail stations are within walking distance for those on the go. www.sandmansignature.co.uk
Sleeperz Newcastle
Launch date: November 2011
Number of Bedrooms: 99
Innovative budget hotels chain Sleeperz has begun work on developing its second UK hotel on a site at the heart of NewcastleGateshead. The 99 bedroom, six-storey hotel is under construction with a targeted opening date of November 2011. The development mirrors the same ethos of compact and comfortable rooms at an affordable price that has proved to be such a success in Cardiff. Sleeperz Hotels Chief Executive David Myers, said: “As with Sleeperz hotel Cardiff, we will create quality high specification compact rooms with fresh, colourful and contemporary interiors. All of this will be available to the consumer at room rates, including free wi-fi, from £50.” www.sleeperz.com
Newcastle Airport Hotel
Planned opening: Autumn 2011
Number of Bedrooms: 179
Construction of the property is complete and has been purchased by Cairn Hotel group, operated by Double Tree by Hilton under a franchise agreement. The property is ideally located at Newcastle International Airport with excellent links to a number of global hubs as well as easy access to central NewcastleGateshead. www.doubletree.hilton.co.uk
Hotel Indigo Newcastle
Planned opening: First Quarter 2012
Number of Bedrooms: 148
Part of the InterContinental Hotels Group, Hotel Indigo Newcastle will be located in the former Eagle Star building on Fenkle Street in Newcastle city centre, adjacent to popular conference venue, The Assembly Rooms. The four star property will feature accommodation, conference space and a Marco Pierre White brasserie. www.sanguinehospitality.com
Ramada Encore
Planned opening: Early 2012
Number of Bedrooms: 202
Construction has now begun on this property located in the Baltic Business Quarter, close to Gateshead Quays (immediately to the south of Baltic Place and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art ). Function space TBC. www.ramada.com
Recently opened properties include:
Euro Hostel Newcastle
Opened: March 2011
Number of Beds: 165
“Budget stay – your way” at the brand-new Euro Hostel Newcastle, this new city-centre property has taken hostel accommodation to a new standard, with fully en suite dorms and private rooms with a clean and modern décor, Euro Hostel can accommodate single travellers and groups of up to ten in any one room.
Guest kitchen, dining, laundry and free WiFi access in the bar makes it a great option for business travellers or delegates staying for longer than just a night. The properties beautifully fitted bar and restaurant The Ware Rooms, has been designed by Newcastle’s premier bar designer and has established itself as the prime spot to enjoy relaxing all-day dining or drinks. www.euro-hostels.co.uk/newcastle
Properties with refurbished facilities include:
Close House Hotel and Golf
Location: Heddon on the Wall, just outside NewcastleGateshead
Number of bedrooms: 31
The privately owned Close House Hotel is set in 400 acres with stunning views of the Tyne Valley; currently home to 19 luxurious bedrooms, a third phase of development will see this enhanced by a further 12 bedrooms opening in the summer of 2011. Close House Hotel is an excellent conference and event venue, and its new world-class golfing facilities mean delegates can enjoy a truly exceptional experience. The hotel’s Golf Academy and Driving Range opened in autumn 2010 Phase two saw the development of a new Golf Club House which opened earlier this year prior to the ‘jewel in the crown’ – the new Colt Championship Golf Course. www.closehouse.co.uk
Holiday Inn Newcastle-Jesmond
Location: Jesmond, close to central NewcastleGateshead
Number of Bedrooms: 116
Rising like a phoenix from the ashes, the Holiday Inn Newcastle–Jesmond is in a stronger position than ever to welcome conference and business delegates after a £5m refurbishment undertaken after the building was badly damaged by fire. With a variety of conference rooms seating up to 200 delegates and an on-site 80-space car park, the 116-bedroom hotel can cater for everything from small meetings to large seminars. All the conference and meeting rooms are air conditioned and have free WiFi and the latest IT equipment. Day delegate rates start at just £35 per person. www.holidayinn.com
Ends.
For media enquiries contact:
Shelley Staines
Media & PR Manager
T. +44 (0)191 440 5739
M. +44 (0)771 763 1109
E. shelley.staines@ngi.org.uk
Notes to editors:
• NewcastleGateshead Initiative is a destination marketing and management agency; a public-private partnership supported by Gateshead and Newcastle City Councils, working with around 165 private sector member organisations across NewcastleGateshead and the wider region.
All of our activity aims to promote and position NewcastleGateshead as a world-class vibrant tourism destination, through targeted marketing and PR campaigns nationally and internationally and through the work of our cultural programming team and convention bureau.
NewcastleGateshead Initiative is supported by a board offering expertise from a range of sectors and professions. We also work with a wide range of partners, stakeholders and businesses, who share our ambition to promote NewcastleGateshead as a world-class place in which to live, learn, work, and visit.
• NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau’s mission is to position and promote NewcastleGateshead as a leading European destination for leisure and business visitors through event bidding and high-profile, targeted destination marketing and PR activity. Our Convention Bureau uses local knowledge and expertise to help organise conferences, meetings or events in NewcastleGateshead and the surrounding area. It provides a free service including arranging everything from venue sourcing and booking to accommodation, transport and entertainment for delegates. With a huge choice of state-of-the-art venues NewcastleGateshead is fast becoming one of the UK’s most popular destinations whether it’s for a meeting of 10 people or a conference for thousands.
• United by seven bridges across a spectacular riverscape, Newcastle (a city on the north bank of the River Tyne) and Gateshead (a town on the south bank) form a single, diverse and extremely vibrant visitor destination. World-class culture, vibrant nightlife, award-winning dining, inspiring heritage, fantastic shopping and acclaimed architecture are combined here like nowhere else, by the famous Geordie spirit which is symbolised by Antony Gormley’s iconic Angel of the North as it welcomes travellers to the area.
Imagery / Photography opportunities:
• www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Images – NewcastleGateshead’s Initiative’s extensive royalty free image library
Useful links:
• www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Media – NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s media website
• www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Meet – business meeting and event specific website for NewcastleGateshead