Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County
In a city oddly devoid of truly
appealing hotels and B&Bs, this option has a helpful staff and good rates (some
including breakfast) that make up for its shortcomings—bathrooms that fall far short
of the standards of rooms themselves, and an uninspiring restaurant and bar. The
hotel has a pleasant indoor pool. Rooms are divided between a huddle of older build-
ings—once the family home to the Queen Mother—and a more modern structure;
the latter has the best guest rooms, with good views over the River Wear, but is a bit
of a pain to reach because of the odd layout. Alternatively, some rooms have views up
the cathedral and castle. Supreme Rooms with two double beds are great value for
families, and connecting rooms are also available.
Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3JN. www.marriott.co.uk.
&
01913/866821.
150 units. £100-£145 double; from
£180 suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; bar/lounge; babysitting; exercise
room; Jacuzzi; indoor pool; sauna, room service.
In room:
TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi (£15 for 24 hr.).
17
Rockliffe Hall
This exciting addition to the northeast's luxury hotel scene
opened to critical and public acclaim in late 2009, offering a large, state-of-the-art
spa with a thermal bathing suite, an 18-hole championship golf course, and three
restaurants—one with a Michelin-starred chef—on a vast riverside country estate.
Within the 19th-century manor, stunning period features including carved stone pil-
lars and fireplaces are beautifully enhanced by slick decor with a contemporary feel.
Kids are allowed, but you'll feel more comfortable with older children than with
energetic toddlers. As a family, you may also prefer to book one of the on-site Wood-
land Mews cottages, which sleep up to six.
Hurworth on Tees, Darlington, County Durham DL2 2DU. www.rockliffehall.com.
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01325/729999.
61 units. AE, MC, DC, V. Free parking. £270-£430 double; £350-£430 suite.
Amenities:
3 restaurants
and bars; room service; spa; swimming pool; gym; golf course.
In room:
TV, hair dryer, kitchen (in cot-
tages), Wi-Fi (free).
Seaham Hall & Serenity Spa
An unexpected oasis of luxury on the Durham
Heritage Coast, this cliff-top boutique hotel lures people from far afield with an
award-winning multimillion-pound spa that reliably makes it onto
Condé Nast Travel-
ler
's “Best U.K. Spas” list. Rooms and suites all have unique decor, layout, and views,
so study the website before booking. Some have their own garden terrace, some free-
standing two-person bathtubs, and others limestone fireplaces. As befits the house in
which Lord Byron married Anabella Milbanke, Seaham Hall is best suited to a
romantic break or a health spree, with boot camp and other exercise classes a spe-
cialty. That said, the
White Room Dining Room
(open evenings and Sun lunch),
with its fine dining, won't help you keep off the weight. Think rolled terrine of Goos-
nargh duck with foie gras, olives, tarragon, chocolate, and coffee; pan-fried North Sea
halibut with carrot, orange, and star anise; and red-wine poached pear with cinnamon
foam and ginger ice cream.
Lord Byron's Walk, Seaham County Durham SR7 7AG. www.seaham-hall.co.uk.
&
0191/516-1400.
18 units. £180-£230 double, £280-£380 suite. Rates include breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; indoor swimming pool; room service; spa.
In room:
TV, Wi-Fi (free).
NEWCASTLE & GATESHEAD
Newcastle: 283 miles N of London; 145 miles NE of Manchester; 121 miles S of Edinburgh
Though distinctive, these cities are physically separated by the River Tyne alone.
Seven bridges, including the iconic tilting Gateshead Millennium Bridge or “Winking
