In a previous review, I stated that Jury’s Inn was by far my favourite hotel in Newcastle for fairly economical business travel and wrote something suitably praiseworthy. However, I can’t always get into Jury’s – good tends to mean popular, you see. So when I’ve been unable to get into Jury’s I sometimes pull the virtual short straw and end up somewhere far inferior. That place tends to be the rather unfortunately named Quality Hotel. Let me explain further. I’ll be as fair as I can.

The hotel is situated right in the bustling centre of Newcastle. I have to say that the location is superb for anyone visiting the centre for shopping or socialising, because you really are slap bang in the middle of everything. The Gate (a complex of bars and restaurants) is literally about four doors up from the hotel and all the big shops and shopping centres can be reached in less than ten minutes by foot. From the train station, the hotel is probably about ten minutes’ walk – not bad if you’ve travelled lightly, but otherwise a taxi might still be a good idea. This isn’t a hotel that I would recommend if you were driving. Whilst the A1 and ring road are fairly easy to navigate, it is the last stretch that generally causes the problem as you end up on one of the main thoroughfares through the city’s shopping centre. If the traffic is bad, you could end up sat there for twenty minutes every time you go in and out – other hotels (including Jury’s, for example) are much better.

Once you have actually found the main entrance, you have to climb a couple of flights of stairs and then navigate your way through a labyrinth of double doors and rooms until you actually reach the reception area. The first thing that will probably jump out to you as you wander along is the very tired décor. The carpets are worn and scruffy. The wallpaper is peeling and old-fashioned and the whole place generally smells a bit musty and it really doesn’t feel very welcoming. The walk to the reception desk is additionally unwelcome and you do wonder whether you are lost.

Shabby may be chic, but genuine shabbiness is shite – and these rooms are genuinely shite. The décor is really old and worn. The carpets are so dirty and marked that I felt uncomfortable walking bare foot. Basic facilities (trouser press, kettle etc) are provided but even the kettle was a bit mucky and I really didn’t fancy trying any of it. The beds are surprisingly comfortable but too short for us tall people and they’re burdened with horrible old –fashioned bedding that seems to be haunted by decades of dirty weekends. The television offers a movie channel and a couple of satellite stations but the sets are really small and the picture quality isn’t fantastic.

 A complete refit is once again essential – there is just no excuse for a hotel that is part of such a large chain to have such shabby rooms. I’d like to see the carpets replaced with hard floors (much more hygienic) and proper power showers fitted as standard.
 The rooms need air-conditioning. Even during April and May, the rooms are uncomfortably warm and the windows only open a fraction.
 Bad freebies are worse than no freebies at all. If you can’t be bothered to supply branded toiletries then just don’t bother – tacky and vulgar.

The “rooftop” restaurant sits on the sixth floor and continues the theme of shabby shoddiness. The bar is horrific – it reminds me of a working man’s club and carries a small range of over-priced beers and spirits. The enclosed area has no air-conditioning and a desire to be smoked like a kipper by the hordes of old soaks sat at the tables is compulsory.

Surprisingly, the quality of the food is quite good. There is a set menu, an “a la carte” menu and a list of daily specials, which, when combined, offer quite a good choice of different world dishes. The last time I ate here I opted for an asparagus and Parma ham starter, followed by a broccoli and cheese parcel with fresh vegetables and simple apple pie for afters. With two beers, the whole lot came to about £17.90, which is fairly good for hotel prices and the meal was really quite nice. It was all fresh, well-presented and tasty – a bit of a surprise if I’m honest. Breakfast was of similar quality (quite expensive for £10.75) with a good selection of hot and cold items.

Value for Money

You CAN save money by booking online, joining their discount schemes or using a travel agent. The hotel claims savings of up to 75% for advanced online bookings, so this might be worth considering.

 Until the management can sort out the interior décor, the Quality Hotel needs to greatly reduce its tariff. £80-£100 is fairly expensive for business travel and isn’t justified. The Malmaison (new and luxurious) is only £120 bed and breakfast. Similarly, if you’re going to serve drinks in a working man’s club, at least have the decency to charge working man’s prices.

The hotel uses manual receipts to charge items to your room. This takes ages. I asked for my bill in the restaurant, watched someone sit and write it out and then ten minutes later actually got a copy myself. Similarly, when I once checked out, I had to have a hand-written receipt as the basic computer system wasn’t running. A little injection of technology seems like a good idea to me.

Cheapskates! Apart from that, desperate business travellers or families looking for a cheap base might find the place suitable. If you wanted anything remotely romantic or stylish, then avoid like the plague.