Sandman Signature Newcastle Hotel

With its tinted glass and light concrete facade, the 2011-opened Sandman could be any one of the swanky office buildings filling newly developing districts around Newcastle's soccer stadium. Making for statement first impressions, slick interiors quickly lose the corporate feel. The lobby's shag pile rugs and velour ottomans surround slick silvers, a glossy horse statue, and funky bauble lighting illuminating segmented white coffee tables. Guests can help themselves to free tea and coffee here, around the clock. Shimmering metallics and screens galore at Shark Club Gastro Bar are apt for the property's sports-centric location. Wings and beers here are popular, but skimpily clad waitstaff aren't to everyone's taste, and the space can feel jarring come mornings, when club layouts don't fit with the breakfast buffet. The venue renders the hotel less-suitable to kids, although its convenient location still draws families. Note, rates soar around significant match dates.

On the northeast fringes of Newcastle's center, the hotel is well-placed. Most obvious is the giant Newcastle United Football Club Stadium right outside, just a three-minute walk away, as is St James' Park and the nearest subway station. China Town and Newcastle University Business School are a two-minute walk. It's three minutes farther for Newcastle's center, The Gate retail and leisure complex, Eldon Square's shopping, and Leazes Park, which has its own boating lake. Contrasting Quayside's nightlife (a nine-minute walk), the city's 12th-century Castle and lantern-spired Cathedral are a 12-minute walk, and busses shorten 23-minute walks to the famous Tyne Bridge. The main train station is 10 minutes on foot. Newcastle International Airport is a 13-minute drive, or 35 minutes by public transport.

Edgy rooms are outfitted in scarlet throws, charcoal carpeting and window shades, oversized headboards in quilted metallics, colorful geometric-print throw pillows, and white walls with monochrome photography. Standard Rooms clock in at 201 square feet (19 square meters) and larger Studios and Suites have kitchenettes with electric hobs, toasters, and kitchenware, plus dining areas, in some. Standard amenities include desks with ergonomic office chairs, satellite flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, and tea- and coffee-making facilities alongside free cookies, as well as ironing facilities, closets with safes, and hairdryers. Rooms have AC, but it's noisy, as is heating. Wood-accented bathrooms in sparkling whites have rainfall wet room-style showers, although floors flood easily here. All have Yves Rocher-branded toiletries. Bunk beds in Family Suites bring capacity to four people, and upgraded Suites have balconies. Stadium and city views are sensational from many front-facing rooms, but they can be noisy, and alternative back-facing ones have drab views. Rooms can be fitted with cribs. 

Features aren't the most extensive here, but they're atmospheric. Shark Club Gastro Bar has a snazzy feel with its black ceiling, dark wood floors, metallic stools, and bright-blue bar. Sports matches are shown on multiple TV screens, and booths near floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the stadium are appealing. Ten varieties of wings accompany burgers, salads, and steaks, as well as reasonably priced beers, cocktails, wines, and soft drinks. Despite wide menus allowing the bar to double up as a restaurant, the club feel isn't always kid-appropriate, and can feel particularly odd during the cooked and continental buffet breakfasts. Coffee and tea are available for free 24/7 in the lobby. Though small, the top-floor gym has modern cardio and weights machines, plus showering facilities. The hotel also has two equipped meeting rooms. At a fee, private parking is across a busy street that can be inconvenient to navigate with luggage, but it's still a bonus for a city-center hotel. Wi-Fi is free throughout.