Get to Know… Hotel du Vin Newcastle
Discover everything the luxurious, four-star hotel has to offer
This October, the Hotel du Vin brand celebrates its 30th anniversary, so we caught up with Andrew Shiel-Redfern – general manager of its Newcastle location – to find out what guests can expect from a stay at the four-star hotel.
Boutique character hotels in quirky historic buildings are what Hotel du Vin does best and its Newcastle branch is no different.
Perched above the River Tyne, the hotel resides in what was once the headquarters of the Tyne Tees Steam Shipping Company and opened its doors in 2008 following a multi-million-pound refurbishment that pays homage to its maritime heritage throughout.
In its 16 years in the city, Hotel du Vin has established itself as a go-to for guests looking for a bit of luxury during a stay in Newcastle and general manager Andrew needed no convincing of its appeal when he joined the hotel in late 2019.
“I was already a customer and knew the management team from attending Hotel du Vin’s wine dinners in the past”, he explains. “I’ve always been a big fan of the brand and didn’t hesitate to apply when the general manager position became available.”
It no doubt helps to have a Hotel du Vin fan at the helm, but Andrew is sure that it’s the whole hotel team that makes staying there such a pleasure.
“I’m very proud of the team here and it’s lovely to work with the people I do,” he says. “We’re very hands-on as we’re quite a small hotel and our customer service is excellent. The positive feedback we get is testament to the team and how well they look after guests.”
And those guests are certainly in for a sumptuous stay thanks to Hotel du Vin’s beautifully appointed rooms, each boasting their own unique charm and luxurious touches like Egyptian cotton sheets and monsoon showers. Book a night or two in one of its spacious, open-plan suites and even more luxury is on the cards with original features, king-size beds, rolltop baths and unbeatable views of the River Tyne and Ouseburn Valley.
Lovely as they are, there’s more to Hotel du Vin than just its rooms. Enter Bistro du Vin, the hotel’s onsite restaurant which is open to guests and visitors alike. Ambient and intimate, the bistro serves classic French cuisine with a modern British twist and boasts a gorgeous dining room and picturesque courtyard ideal for al fresco dining when the North East weather permits.
From breakfast and bar snacks to afternoon tea and a la carte dining – plus a popular Sunday lunch and a five-course tasting menu – Bistro du Vin offers options for all kinds of discerning diners and was recently recognised with an AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence. Though if there’s one “must-try” dish amongst all those offerings, Andrew would suggest the chateaubriand.
“It’s a lovely dish with a nice glass of wine,” he says. “But I’m a sucker for our homemade desserts too which are absolutely beautiful.”
As its name suggests, Hotel du Vin isn’t just a destination for fine dining but for fine wines too. Home to an extensive wine cellar, the hotel has a glass (or bottle!) to suit every palate and persuasion – all of which come with another stamp of approval from the AA in the form of a Notable Wine List Award.
“We use a few suppliers to procure our wine list and, being Hotel du Vin, it’s focused on the French element,” explains Andrew. “There’s a great selection from the rest of the world too though, so our list can take guests on a wine journey through different countries.”
The wine experience at Hotel du Vin doesn’t end with a few glasses at dinner either. Sommelier-led private wine tastings perfect for special occasions are available for groups as small as two and let’s not forget the wine dinners that earned Hotel du Vin a fan in Andrew. Featuring canapes, a three-course dinner and five or six wines showcasing a particular country or wine region, they’re beloved by both connoisseurs and wine novices alike.
One of its most popular events, however, is Tipple in the Tunnel – a unique experience that mixes wine tasting with a touch of local history. Taking place on the first and last Friday of every month, the event sees Hotel du Vin team up with local charity the Ouseburn Trust to host wine tasting sessions in the Victoria Tunnel, an underground wagonway that runs for two and half miles beneath Newcastle.
“Everyone loves Tipple in the Tunnel because it’s such a different experience and the tunnel actually runs beneath Hotel du Vin itself,” adds Andrew. “It really utilises what’s on our doorstep and it’s wonderful to work with a great organisation like the Ouseburn Trust that does so much for the local area.”
Whether you’re looking for luxurious accommodation, some fine food (perhaps that chateaubriand?) or a unique wine tasting experience, Hotel du Vin is a must for visitors and Newcastle natives alike and with Andrew and his team at the helm guests are guaranteed a memorable time.
Hotel du Vin Newcastle is located at City Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2BE. For more information and to book a room or table, visit the Hotel du Vin Newcastle website.
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Main Image: The Signature Suite at Hotel du Vin Newcastle
