Review: Hotel Gotham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK

Nestled on Pilgrim Street — one of Newcastle’s oldest thoroughfares, once trodden by 13th-century pilgrims heading to venerate relics at Grey Friars and Our Lady’s Chapel — stands Hotel Gotham, a five-star jewel in the crown of the city centre. Housed within a striking Grade II listed former fire station, police station and magistrates’ court, this theatrical transformation by Bespoke Hotels has breathed new life into the building.

Designed by architectural firm Cackett, Burns, Dick & Mackellar and erected between the wars, the Roman numerals MCMXXXI (1931) above the grand entrance tell a story of longevity and gravitas — and the winged beasts and griffins carved into the Portland stone suggest a building built as much for spectacle as for civic purpose. Today, those very beasts seem to watch over a different kind of calling: hospitality at its boldest. Welcome to the unapologetically dramatic Hotel Gotham – Newcastle’s first and only five star hotel.

The welcome

A pre-arrival email invited us to customise our stay and perform pre-registration online to make check-in seamless. This proved beneficial as we seemed to arrive at a time of peak check-in. Rather than having to queue, the concierge swiftly relieved us of our luggage and was able to personally fast-track us through the process and walk us to our suite.

The room

We stayed in one of the hotel’s Director Suites – room 50 on the second mezzanine – and were struck by the abundance of space upon entry, as well as the bold, patterned flooring and inviting palette. Such was the size of the room that, from afar, the vast bed looked deceptively modest.

The room includes a separate sitting area, neatly arranged around a large, leather-clad Cambridge Satchel Co. trunk repurposed as a table – a place to read a book, watch TV or simply relax with a drink.

Across from this, an elevated bath forms an eye-catching addition – a contemporary take on 1920s glamour from which you could also watch TV.

The bathroom

In addition to the freestanding bath, the suite of course has a separate bathroom. This space is dominated by a shower head so wide that it could be mistaken for a satellite dish, ensuring a cascade of water that’s more lavish than any spa experience.

And to complement this, the bathroom is stocked with luxe Argentum toiletries.

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The facilities

Hotel Gotham is equally at home with nightlife as it is with restful retreat. Within its historic walls, there’s plenty on offer without stepping outside.

FIRE, located in the former engine room, is a welcoming day-to-night hub — perfect for coffee and teas at 10.30am or expertly mixed cocktails as evening descends, with live music and DJs at the weekends.

Alternatively, the hotel’s private members’ club, Club Brass, is a quieter, more intimate bar space – as well as a separate, discreet side-entrance to the hotel, available to guests staying in suites.

And one highlight not to be missed is Siren, the hotel’s restaurant with its focus on sustainability, seasonality and the finest local produce, and a menu that showcases the best of the North East.

The pan-roasted scallop with pork belly, cauliflower and Lindisfarne mead narrowly got my vote over the Craster smoked fish terrine with horseradish, cucumber and dill, whilst my wife’s burrata with Waldorf salad and Arbequina olive oil won her approval.

Our mains included the spiced monkfish with brown shrimps (usually with mussels but they were not available) and a seaweed velouté, and the steamed cod with autumn squash, potted shrimp butter and pumpkin seeds. Next time I’d love to try the venison cottage pie.

We both indulged in the two chocolate options on the dessert menu – the chocolate and caramel tart with crème fraîche and praline, and the decadent chocolate and truffle brownie torte.

Breakfast is also served in Siren, beginning with a tempting display of cereals, fresh fruit, Gotham-baked pastries and fresh juices, before a choice of cooked options — from a Gotham full English to avocado caprese and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs.

The location

Hotel Gotham occupies a prime spot on Pilgrim Street. Right on the doorstep is Tyneside Cinema, the historic Theatre Royal and Fenwick’s department store, home to the Aura Fine Art Fenwick gallery. Within half a mile you’ll find iconic landmarks like the iconic Tyne Bridge, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, a graceful, tilting span over the Tyne; the evocative Newcastle Castle; the refined Laing Art Gallery; and Clarendon Fine Art.

Stretching out to a mile radius, culture and charm abound with the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, the dramatic home of Newcastle United FC at St. James’ Park, the architectural spectacle of The Glasshouse music venue, the science-rich Great North Museum: Hancock, and the vibrant energy of Chinatown — all easily explored on foot.

Other nice touches

Attention to detail is where Hotel Gotham truly shines. Upon arrival we found a personalised welcome note resting beside a Gotham plate adorned with macaroons and a jar of hand-crafted shortbread — golden, buttery and playfully inspired by the city’s firefighting heritage.

The suite’s built-in wardrobe cleverly conceals a well-stocked minibar (including local ‘Fire’ beer and complimentary Geordie “wata”), alongside a kettle with premium teas, coffee and hot chocolate, plus a selection of snacks available for purchase. Practical yet thoughtful extras like a safety deposit box, hairdryer and curated reading materials — from the hotel’s own Gotham Bugle to high-end magazines — round out the experience.

The cost

Cozy Club rooms typically begin around £150 (room only) or about £190 with The Gotham Experience, which includes breakfast and a chilled bottle of Prosecco in your room. For suites, expect to pay an additional premium of at least £100.

The best bit

Hotel Gotham has all the hallmarks of a luxury stay – beautiful interiors, impeccable service and an attention to detail. But the way that the hotel acknowledges its history in a contemporary way is something quite special – fire hoses re-purposed as light fittings at reception, fire station themed displays in communal areas of the hotel, carefully-selected drinks for the minibar, and the fire station-themed naming of the hotel’s facilities, represent just a handful of the many examples. With this, the building has retained its soul and its history has been duly honoured.

The final verdict

For travellers seeking a luxury stay in the heart of Newcastle’s city centre, they need look no further. Hotel Gotham is a hotel with character and one that honours Newcastle’s heritage whilst still writing a new chapter of its own. Whther you’re there for the location, the high end rooms and suites, or the vibrant energy of FIRE and Siren, you will not be disappointed by the personality and warmth of this latest addition to the city’s luxury hotel scene.

Dislcosure: Our stay was sponsored by Hotel Gotham.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.