Hotel reviews

DREAMING of Greggs? You can now sleep in a 5-star Greggs hotel suite – and order sausage rolls straight to your room via a golden telephone.

I was the first to stay in the bizarre new suite in Hotel Gotham, Newcastle, and tested out everything from the Greggs robe to the branded bathtub.

Last year, Newcastle saw the opening of the Golden Flake Tavern, a pub serving sausage rolls with mash and gravy, steak bake boards and pink jammy beers.

Today, the bakery’s hometown sees the arrival of the Greggs suite in Hotel Gotham, right in the heart of the city centre.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect in a Greggs-themed hotel suite. Kitchen tiled floors? Some sort of booth fold-out bed?

Arriving at the five-star Hotel Gotham, I soon realised I was in store for something much fancier than that.

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A concierge led me through a courtyard of posh parked cars into the five-star hotel into a sleek black and red reception, with the Greggs suite just around the corner.

You won’t miss it, with a golden plaque hanging beside the unmistakably Greggs-blue door.

I opened the handle to reveal a huge suite decked out in breath-taking sapphire blue and bright gold details, representing that golden flaky pastry.

Honestly, I was blown away before I even took my first step inside. Plus the classical music playing upon entry really added to the regal vibe.

The next thing I noticed was the Greggs-themed artwork. A painting of two Greggs coffees cheers-ing greets you to the left, but my favourite was the painting I spied on the other side of the room.

A blue statue-like figure stands tall above an empire of skyscrapers, presenting a golden steak bake to the heavens. Truly beautiful.

Also in this corner you’ll find a free-standing bathtub (marked with the four-square emblem of Greggs) complete with bath salts, shampoo and body wash goodies.

Then you’ve got the massive, king-sized bed, topped with Greggs-themed, sausage-shaped throw pillows and a luxurious fur throw, draped across in signature Hotel Gotham style.

A plush blue sofa with golden pillows sits tucked at the end of the bed, facing a mounted telly and a mysterious gold-studded trunk.

Atop the trunk you’ll find a neatly-folded towel robe, slippers and a silky eye mask.

If you’re one of the first 96 bookings here, you’ll get to take this limited edition midnight-blue robe and accessories home with you. After that, it’s Hotel Gotham x Greggs branded white robes.

Why 96? Because there’s 96 layers of pastry in a sausage roll, of course.

The bathroom is a break from this blue and gold wonderland, with jet-black tiling, sink, shower and even a black toilet. It’s about as Gotham as a bathroom can be.

The best part of the suite, however, is the golden telephone you’ll find on the bedside table.

Dial for room service and you can order yourself a sausage roll straight to your room. Now that’s five star service.

Pick between the classic, vegan, or special flavour of the season (which is currently salt & chilli chicken).

I opted for the popular vegan one, which I think is even tastier than the original.

I grabbed the handle of the retro telephone and pressed 0, putting on my poshest voice: “Hello there. One vegan sausage roll, please”.

It feels silly, but this gimmick is really quite exciting.

I opened the door to a well-dressed staff member holding a silver platter, who came in and placed it upon the desk. We both couldn’t contain our giggles.

I lifted the lid to reveal a fresh, golden sausage roll delicately placed upon a plate decorated with a Greggs takeaway bag and special printed tissue paper.

The sausage roll was just as good as usual: warm, crispy yet fluffy pastry, and that familiar tasty filling.

Guests can order two sausage rolls each, between the hours of 7am – 7:30pm during the week, and from 8am – 4:30pm on Sundays.

Not to spoil the magic, but that does happen to line up quite well with the opening hours of the Greggs directly opposite the hotel.

Crashing into the comfy bed for the night I slept like a baby, knowing I still had one extra sausage roll to order in the morning.

Waking up after a fab night’s sleep, I kept noticing little emblems of the Greggs logo I hadn’t seen before.

It popped up on the trunk, the bathtub and even the mirror. This clearly wasn’t a half-baked job, the attention to detail really makes this room special.

If you wind up a bit sick of sausage rolls, you can have breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Siren (£25pp).

Here I tucked into a Full English with a side of fruit salad and a lemon drizzle muffin, but you can also order pear and blackberry french toast or some hearty porridge.

The restaurant name harks back to the hotel’s history as a fire station (as does the bar, simply named Fire).

You’ll even find the original fireman’s pole, helmets and other memorabilia on its grounds, as well as plaques remembering local firemen.

Hotel Gotham itself is only a year old, and feels incredibly friendly for a five star spot, with great staff, sparkling decor and an unsnobby feel.

But if you’re planning to stay anytime soon, you’ve got to try this new suite and give the golden telephone a whirl.

After all, it’s not every day you can order sausage roll room service.

You can book a stay in the Greggs suite for stays from November 12 onwards on Hotel Gotham’s website.

Stays in the Greggs Suite start from £373 per night on a room-only basis.

If that feels like a bit too much dough, Greggs are also giving away some free stays in competitions on their app.

A portion of the proceeds from each night booked will be donated annually to the Greggs Foundation, which supports local communities and schools in the Northeast.

Standard double rooms can be booked from £139 per night.

A UNIQUE hotel just steps from one of the UK’s busiest high streets, The BoTree is a must when visiting London.

Here is everything you need to know about staying at the hotel.

Where is The BoTree?

Just steps off the main streets of Oxford Circus, BoTree is a welcome respite from the bustle of the city.

But it is also right by Bond Street, which takes you straight to London Heathrow Airport too.

You even get free fizz when you check in, with the lobby decked out in green plants.

What are the rooms like?

I was wowed by my room as soon as I stepped in, with chic gold glass doors dividing my entrance from the main living space.

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Simple marble counters contrasted with a euphony of colour in the form of multicoloured patterned wallpaper and accents.

It has everything you’d expect, from a tea and coffee station to a fully stocked minibar.

But it’s the little touches – the fleece lined dressing gown, the complimentary steamer – that set it above other London hotels.

Despite its central location, my room was blissfully quiet, with little trouble falling asleep in the huge king-size bed.

Options range from King Premium rooms or the suites which sleep up to four.

Rooms start from £283. See hilton.com.

What is there to eat and drink?

On the ground floor of the hotel is Lavo, which makes you feel like you are world’s away from the busy high street just outside.

Start off at the bar which has a great cocktail menu which offers a twist on the classics – my tomato martini was the perfect start, alongside a fantastic DJ set.

Otherwise come to the restaurant with an empty stomach to fully enjoy the fresh Italian dishes and fantastic portion sizes.

My tuna tartare starter was piled high, while my penne a la vodka was rich and hearty.

I was tempted by the build-you-own cannoli but thought it would be remiss not to try the tiramisu, which was one of the best I’d eaten (outside of Italy, of course).

I was excited to return for breakfast, with a great spread from hot counters to pastries.

Need to grab something to go? Try Ground, the wellness cafe for a huge range of smoothies and healthy snacks.

What else is there?

Also at the hotel is triplebond, a wellness members club with spa, gym and rooftop pool.

Suite guests get access or you can book a day pass for £95.

Otherwise get your comfy shoes on and head out to Oxford Circus for a day of shopping, with all the top high street brands on offer.

Is it family friendly?

The hotel has connecting rooms for families while cots and high chairs can be requested.

The restaurant has a kids menu too.

Is the hotel accessible?

The hotel is wheelchair accessible, which includes to reception, the bar and restaurant.

There are 21 accessible guest rooms, with amenities including with roll-in showers and emergency call systems

IF you love the countryside but prefer something glam over actually getting mucky, this one’s for you.

Silchester Farm in Hampshire delivers all the charm of a country escape without you ever having to ruin your shoes.

This rustic retreat was even featured on Made in Chelsea, which tells you something about who you’ll be rubbing shoulders with here.

From where to eat to local history, here’s everything you need to know about staying at Silchester Farm in Hampshire.

Where is Silchester Farm?

This stay is in Silchester, a small village close to Basingstoke in Hampshire. The farm is less than an hour’s train journey away from London.

If travelling by car, the farm is well-signposted through a series of pleasant country lanes, crossing over wooden bridges and past old-fashioned country pubs and pretty churches.

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What’s it like?

A popular wedding venue, Silchester Farm is a stylish rural retreat set among fields of quietly grazing sheep and calm countryside.

The site centres around a series of manicured flower and vegetable patches, vine-draped arbours and an outdoor barn kitchen.

What are the rooms like?

Framing the outskirts of the vegetable patches you’ll find the Pyggies, nine giant, self-contained pig arks.

There’s room on the steps outside to drop off your wellies and brolly from your day at the farm. Once you open the door, you’re met with cosy warm orange lighting, a relaxing wood scent, and a giant bed you’ll immediately want to jump on.

The Pyggies are equipped with kitchenettes, which have lovely touches like glass-bottled milk in the fridge, posh teabags as well as matching cup and saucer sets.

In our Pyggy, Rosemary, a large telly sat above a cosy wood burner, opposite a large sofa to sink into. The bed was piled up with cosy throws, and behind a wooden screen was a roomy bathtub complete with the Silchester Farm’s own soaps and body creams.

A spacious rainfall shower, cosy curved ceiling and giant glass doors letting the sunlight pour through were the cherry on top of this chic countryside accommodation.

Rooms start from £252 per night for two, with great rates on last-minute bookings in particular. See SilchesterFarm.co.uk.

What is there to eat and drink?

The Trough Farm Shop on-site is a great spot for brunch, with coffee, sausage rolls, cakes and pastries available, with indoor and outdoor seating.

As for dinner, you’re best off booking in at a nearby pub, as the restaurant here is usually reserved for wedding guests.

The Plough Inn is a pretty, restored 18th century pub serving food and local ales, while The Calvella Arms does a spectacular sticky toffee pudding.

There are, however, food events you can book yourself onto at the farm. The Sunday Club offers fantastic roasts with giant yorkies (from £22) while the Harvest Feast sees the outdoor kitchen come alive with seasonal produce served by a roaring fire. Check dates here.

What else is there?

Silchester is a Roman village, and is a short walk from well-preserved, third century walls as well as amphitheatre ruins. Reception will happily direct you on the walking route.

While there’s no gym at a rustic retreat like this, there are bicycles available to hire, as well as a tennis court facing the pristine country gardens.

Is it family friendly?

Each of the Pyggies sleep up to two people, equipped with king-sized beds fit for two adults.

This retreat is best for couples’ escapes or friends getaways.

Is it accessible?

While there are ramps available for accessing the farm’s buildings and gardens, the site is made up of pebble and grass pathways also.

Silchester Farm recommend disabled visitors are accompanied by a companion where possible. For more information, see their website.

WHEN you picture Wetherspoons, you probably think of cheap pints, even cheaper food, colourful carpets, and a lively Friday night.

But your night out at Spoons doesn’t have to end with an expensive taxi home – with dozens of hotels across the UK and Ireland, the budget pub chain is quietly offering some of the best value city breaks around.

I headed to Dublin to see exactly what a night spent in a Spoons hotel really entails.

Spoiler alert: this particular Spoons hotel feels like staying overnight in a museum, and the rooms are nicer than you might think.

There are 56 Wetherspoons hotels across the UK and Ireland, so I decided to try out a stay at Keaven’s Port, a unique convent-turned-hotel in Dublin.

Keaven’s Port sits on Camden Street, which is where you’ll find crowds of locals out for drinks in Dublin – away from the expensive pints of Temple Bar.

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This well-positioned pub hotel puts you on the same street as popular nightclub The Camden, which you’ll find buzzing on the weekends.

And as for daytime sightseeing, here you’re only a 20-minute walk from popular attractions like Dublin Castle and Trinity College.

Wetherspoons are known for repurposing unique historic buildings including former opera houses, corn exchanges and banks.

Not only does this guarantee some decent square footage for all those restaurant tables (as well as a prime spot in the town centre) but it makes for a pretty unique overnight stay.

This one I found to be particularly unique. Keaven’s Port hotel is made up of eight old Georgian townhouses as well as a chapel.

The collection of buildings used to belong to Ireland’s Little Sisters of the Assumption, a convent established in the 1890’s.

Now, the chapel has been restored and is part of the bar and restaurant area. I must admit, sitting in a confession booth under stained glass with a bowl of chips and a pint is a tad surreal.

Getting to the rooms takes weaving through a series of corridors and lounge areas, each of which are packed with historical artefacts that made this stay feel more like a trip to the museum.

Lining the walls were old dresses and textiles, painted portraits and more belonging to historic residents of Camden Street Upper, as well as information boards telling you all about the history of the building.

One lounge area sees a giant Guinness-style harp, cosy sofas and a chessboard, while another sees antique furniture, Renaissance paintings and a collection of battered books packed with fascinating old stories.

After making your way out of the maze, you’ll reach the main bar and restaurant area (which thankfully has its own entrance, too).

Everything about the restaurant screams Spoons – tiled floors, a very long bar, plenty of high tables with stools as well as booths and larger tables for groups.

Just when you think there’s more than enough space, a spiral staircase decorated with mirrors leads you down to an even larger restaurant, as well as courtyard for the summer beer garden months.

We all know Spoons pubs in the UK offer some great-value deals on food and drink, but can you get good value over in pricy Dublin?

It turns out you can. An Irish spice bag with a soft drink costs €10.50 (£8.86), and a small cooked breakfast is an unbelievable €2.95 (£2.49).

You can grab a pint of Abbott for €2.60 (£2.19), wine by the glass starts from €4.30 (£3.63), and cocktail pitchers from €9.95 (£8.39).

A hot drink will only set you back €1.70 (£1.43), and it’s free refills from then on all day.

But what are the rooms like? Once you make it out of the busy bar area through to the elevators, the noise of the bar soon disappears.

If I’m totally honest, I went in expecting a cramped room with stained furniture and some strange marks on the walls.

Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw when I stepped in.

First of all, these rooms are very spacious. The large double bed had crisp white sheets, and there was plenty of room surrounding it to open up your suitcase.

The spacious desk was laid with the usual tea and coffee facilities. Here you also get posh shortbread biscuits and water cartons decorated with pictures of Irish poet W.B. Yeats (I kept mine as a souvenir).

The bathrooms were pretty glam too with black marble, a large mirror and a surprisingly spacious tub and shower. All in all, not at all bad for the price point.

Inspired by the local history, I did a bit of my own research. Namely, I wanted to know, who actually was St Keaven?

The name supposedly comes from St. Kevin, a sixth-century Christian hermit and saint, with a church named after him in nearby Camden Row.

Little is known about the Irish saint, other than that he appears in Seamus Heaney’s poetry and that he is associated with the glacial valley of Glendalough in nearby County Wicklow.

If you fancy, you can actually take a day trip from Dublin city centre into Glendalough to walk beside its glacial lakes with Wild Rover Tours (from €43). If you want to see some of Ireland’s rolling green hills and sparkling lakes away from the city, I’d highly recommend giving it a try.

But if you’d rather stay in the centre and make the most of the cheap pints in the bar below your room, it’s a great place for pre-drinks before rocking up to The Camden.

Rooms start from €86 (£72) per night, or £36pp based on two sharing. Click here to book.

Prices correct at the time of publication.