What is your Priority Club status?
Gold.

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, definitely.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
King Junior Suite, which I received

How are the rooms?
The room I had was nothing like the sample image, which was mostly a good thing. A living room area with what can best be described as a corridor with large glass windows on one side and the bathroom on the other, between that and the bedroom, which also had large windows Two TVs. Well stocked minibar with water, Pepsi, and Tunnocks Caramel Wafers. Pillows a bit rubbish and towels too small, just like all hotels in the UK really. A/C was very powerful, just as well given the large panoramic windows and the fact it was 30C in Newcastle when I was there.

Only real niggle was the balcony. Firstly, it was covered- and I mean covered- in bird poo. With the seagulls in Newcastle some of it really is unavoidable but it clearly hadn't been cleaned in a long time. And secondly, it was overlooked by the staff room of the office block next door, and the buildings were very close.

How is the exec. lounge?
Eccentric. First night it was a temporary lounge in a meeting room and the signage to direct you there was non-existent. Food was the usual Brakes Brothers canapes. No cocktails offered. The staff member was very attentive and very nice, as most service staff in Newcastle are.

Rest of the time was back in the main lounge. Busy. People who didn't get there for 5.30 didn't have much choice of seating, people were having to share tables. Wine was plentiful. Food was interesting, rather than nibbles it was a Korean curry with rice. Cocktails not offered, wine was flowing though the prosecco was (according to Mrs T) like paint stripper.

Breakfast was OK, a small selection of pastries and cereals, the hot options were bacon and boiled eggs. Enough for a breakfast. Quality OK, nothing more.

Staff were absolutely brilliant though. Took interest in you, and remembered you from one night to the next. Only little gripe was the fishing for TripAdvisor reviews, all a bit unseemly IMO, but everywhere seems to do it now (a whinge for another day).

What was good and what was bad?

The staff were excellent, as they usually are at this property. Nothing bad, just niggles, such as the balcony being filthy.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

It was a special birthday trip so £170/night was definitely a treat. The space in the room was worth it. I've stayed at this hotel several times and always enjoyed it.

The only downside of this property is the location really, it's a little bit out of the way. The walk through to the city centre takes you through the arches under the railway, it's safe enough but feels a bit oppressive, especially at night. The boarded-up office block next door doesn't help the ambiance.

But location-wise it is infinitely better than the Hilton in Gateshead; the walk from the Hilton across the the river over the High Level Bridge into Newcastle isn't particularly safe and I'd not do it alone at night.