Gorgeous views, food & rooms - INNSiDE by Meliá Newcastle | Luxe Bible Digital Lifestyle Magazine

Last updated: December 19, 2023

If you’re heading to the glorious North East and looking to stay in Newcastle, then you couldn’t be better placed than on The Quayside, where INNSiDE by Meliá Newcastle occupies a prime spot right by the city’s iconic Tyne Bridge.

Lobby and Hotel Design

The hotel’s stylish, comfortable and practical 161 rooms have all been designed by FaulknerBrowns architects, with light, airy, versatile spaces taking up the ground floor and a fluid design which sees the lobby merge into the bar and lounge area, leading through to Gino D’Acampo’s restaurant.

Light, airy and modern, the lobby is fluid and full of gorgeous design touches

Taking local inspiration from Newcastle’s well known landmarks, there’s nods to the area right throughout the hotel! The interior aspects also channel the Tyne Bridge’s design with long vertical lines from the statement curved central staircase in reception, to the gorgeous drop pendant lighting. Meanwhile, the double height space in the atrium coupled with the floor to ceiling glass makes sure you can see Newcastle’s stunning quayside from every angle.

Rooms

Bedrooms at INNSiDE by Meliá Newcastle range from the Innside Room (19 metres squared), through to those with river views and balconies, right through to studios (24 metres squared) and townhouses which at 50 metres squared are spacious, stylish and have incredible views of the Tyne.

Our river view room let in plenty of light and being on the side of the building, meant we had a good view over the water. With an open wardrobe and open bathroom, the style is definitely suited to the modern traveller, while you’ll also find a yoga mat hanging up, so you can position yourself by the floor to ceiling window in the morning and feel the zen!

INNSiDE by Melia Newcastle - some of the bedrooms come with stunning river views — INNSiDE by Melia Newcastle – some of the bedrooms come with stunning river views

While the mirror and partial wall partition separate the huge double bed from the bathroom area, the toilet is behind closed doors, while the shower has just enough frosted glass to protect your modesty!

A studio room with river view at the INNSiDE by Melia Newcastle

We loved the bundled up packages of cosy slippers and dressing gowns on the bed and also the quirky wooden blocks on the doors that you can spin to get your room made up or leave you in peace – a nice alternative to the hanging signs you usually get.

Wifi and free water come as standard, and having a Nespresso machine is always welcome for a coffee addict like me who needs a cup as soon as I wake up. In addition, the double sofa and small table and chairs give the room a nice studio feel – perfect for a pre-drink before you hit the quayside’s bars.

Gino D’Acampo Restaurant Quayside

Gino D’Acampo Restaurant Quayside has been somewhat of a destination dining spot since it opened – rather than just being somewhere to eat that’s attached to the hotel! It boasts a gorgeous terrace on the river with outside seating – guaranteed to be packed out in summer, while the design of the restaurant itself feels very Mediterranean with a buzzy atmosphere and a slick, stylish interiors.

Now that's what we call the perfect 'eggsample' of a Fiorentina! — Now that’s what we call the perfect ‘eggsample’ of a Fiorentina!

We visited on a Sunday night and were taken aback at how busy it was when the rest of the quayside had been so quiet! Gino’s menu promises to reflect the soul and character of Italy using fresh ingredients, with lots of his personal favourites making an appearance. With a tonne of bruschetta and antipasti on the menu, there’s also a section with sharer style starters like the ones which come on a gigantic wooden board. We went for the Cicchetti – a collection of mini starter snacks to whet the appetite and transport us to Venezia, although they are ridiculously filling so if you are ordering this, be sure you leave room for your main! Lavish toppings cover the entire base of bread with parma ham, spicy ‘nduja, honey and pistachio nuts, crispy cod with a tangy lemon mayo and king prawns with chilli mayo – two of each is pretty substantial!

Gino D’Acampo Restaurant Quayside at INNSiDE by Melia Newcastle

For mains, my sister ordered a pretty perfect ‘eggsample’ of a Fiorentina with spinach, tomato, mozzarella and pecorino cheese. What’s really nice about the menu is that Gino writes a personal note under each description so you know why he’s chosen it for his menu – this one being because it’s a firm fave amongst his family. I loved the crispy duck with cherries and red wine sauce. The sweetness of the fruit and the richness of the meat were just the perfect combo, washed down with a delight of a red wine – intense and aromatic with red berry juiciness.

Since writing this review, I went back to Gino’s and I’m pleased to report the food was en pointe once again!

Anything else?

INNSiDE by Meliá Newcastle sports a 24 hour gym with full Technogym equipment and plenty of room for working out while there’s also 20% of bike hire if you’d rather get out and about exploring the river paths, in collaboration with The quayside based The Cycle Hub. We also took a sneaky peek at the hotel’s five flexible meeting rooms which boast excellent facilities and audio-visual equipment. Limited on site parking is priced at £15 for up to 24 hours.

INNSiDE by Meliá Newcastle is in a brilliant position if you want to explore the city and all it has to offer. Coupled with the views and its stunning interior and exterior design, along with a cracking breakfast and fabulous in-house restaurant, you can snap up a room for a very reasonable price compared to other hotels in the city. Be sure to book a river view room which is definitely worth paying the extra for. You can find out more here.