Newcastle Area HOTELS - Of the present, the past, and plans for the future - Page 5

BigLebowski · August 11th, 2010, 12:18 AM

Story in todays Indy regarding Intercontinental Hotels expansion into the UK:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/bu...s-2048734.html

This particular paragraph caught my attention:

The world's biggest hotelier, which also operates under the Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites brands, reported operating profits of 219 million US dollars (£137.3 million) in the first half of 2010...A spokesman for the group said of the 35 planned hotels, 24 will be Holiday Inns and there will be two new Crowne Plazas, three Staybridge Suites and five Hotel Indigos.

I cant imagine there are any cities outside London which will boast one of each in the company's expansion programme (Crowne Plaza - Stephenson Qtr, Indigo - Grainger Town, Holiday Inn - Jesmond, Staybridge - Shieldfield). I'd say this was a big confidence boost for the city's hotel sector.

upnorth · August 16th, 2010, 07:03 PM

Hi all

I'm a long time reader of the forum here, but this is my first post...

Does anyone know what the current situation is with the Saints Hotel site behind Central Station? I walked past a few months ago and it seemed like the cafe/bar parts were almost ready to go - I'm sure they even had a menu and price list on display, unless that was a figment of my imagination - but recently when I passed the whole site seemed boarded up again. The website still seems to be up and running, but no details of a potential opening.

TownPlanningNE · August 17th, 2010, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigLebowski

Story in todays Indy regarding Intercontinental Hotels expansion into the UK:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/bu...s-2048734.html

This particular paragraph caught my attention:

The world's biggest hotelier, which also operates under the Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites brands, reported operating profits of 219 million US dollars (£137.3 million) in the first half of 2010...A spokesman for the group said of the 35 planned hotels, 24 will be Holiday Inns and there will be two new Crowne Plazas, three Staybridge Suites and five Hotel Indigos.

I cant imagine there are any cities outside London which will boast one of each in the company's expansion programme (Crowne Plaza - Stephenson Qtr, Indigo - Grainger Town, Holiday Inn - Jesmond, Staybridge - Shieldfield). I'd say this was a big confidence boost for the city's hotel sector.

It is quite impressive, theres also a Holiday Inn proposed for Gateshead Quays too. Where abouts is the Holiday Inn planned for Jesmond, has it been discussed on here already and are there any plans online?

DXNewcastle · August 17th, 2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TownPlanningNE

. . . . Where abouts is the Holiday Inn planned for Jesmond, has it been discussed on here already and are there any plans online?

Its the hotel on Jesmond Road which we've all known as the Imperial Hotel until now, being extensively re-developed internally on the ground floor and re decorated and furnished elsewhere by the Handa family's Cairn Hotel Group.
I believe that their contract with Intercontinental may now have been signed.

TownPlanningNE · August 18th, 2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DXNewcastle

Its the hotel on Jesmond Road which we've all known as the Imperial Hotel until now, being extensively re-developed internally on the ground floor and re decorated and furnished elsewhere by the Handa family's Cairn Hotel Group.
I believe that their contract with Intercontinental may now have been signed.

Ah right, thanks for the info!

gregstone · August 20th, 2010, 11:20 AM

I stayed in an Ibis Hotel in York earlier this week and was quite impressed with it for value - a notch above the Travellodge type operations with a reasonable bar area, breakfast etc. Don't think we have one in Newcastle but it would be a good addition to the mix.

Seamaster · August 20th, 2010, 11:45 AM

Accor's newer developments on the continent have typically been multi-branded sites, eg Novotel & Ibis or Ibis & Formule 1. When the announcement was made of multiple hotels on the Newgate Shopping Centre site, my immediate reaction was Novotel/Ibis/F1.

maxtoon · August 21st, 2010, 01:00 PM

I've got strong feelings about the Formule 1 brand. A few years ago we stayed in the newcastle Formule 1 after attending a wedding function in gosforth. It was £19 per night and the worst hotel we have ever stayed in .. some drunks burst into room at 2am .. prostitutes walking up n down the corridors knocking on doors to see if any were vacant so they could obviously do some business. It was just a knocking shop after a night on the town. When we left the next morning after no sleep at all somebody had been sick in the corridor !!

I've also stayed in the Middlesborough F1 while working down there which is just a converted industrial unit on a trading estate .. It was bloody disgusting and another knocking shop.

This is what happens when budget hotels offer rooms at 'cheaper than a cab fair' £15-20 per night.

Wullie32 · August 21st, 2010, 02:25 PM

I stayed in the Heathrow Ibis last year, very impressed with it.

***Newcastle Historian*** · September 15th, 2010, 06:37 PM

Hilton Hamilton Hotel bid based on hope of 6,000 jobs
September 15th 2010, The Journal

PLANS have been tabled for a new hotel to meet demand from a North East Business Park, whose workforce is projected to grow from 9,000 to 15,000 in the next five years.

The 125-bedroom Hilton Hamilton Hotel is intended to occupy a central site at the Cobalt Business Park in North Tyneside.

The hotel would be part of a development that would also include an office block.

The planning application envisages that the office block would accommodate the Cobalt Management Centre, a food store, bank, bakers/sandwich shop, dry cleaners and cafe/coffee shop and a 257-space car park.

A plaza between the two buildings would include two feature ponds and seating. It would give a focal point to workers who could meet there on their breaks, and provide an area for outdoor events and performances.

Existing poor quality trees on the site would be felled and replaced by species-rich hedge banks with new trees, wetland scrapes for amphibians and an area of new woodland with ponds. North Tyneside councillors are being advised by planners to back the scheme when the meet on Monday.

The business park is currently being served by the Village Hotel, which opened 10 years ago, as well as a Travelodge and a Premier Inn.

But the applicants behind the new proposal, Highbridge Business Park Ltd, say there is increasing demand for hotel rooms, particularly as the company expects that there will be an extra 6,000 employees on the park by 2015. It claims that the hotel and shops are needed to ensure that Cobalt competes with other business parks.

Town planning consultants, Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners have submitted objections on behalf of De Vere Hotels and Leisure, which is the owner of The Village Hotel.

FULL ARTICLE HERE - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...1634-27273409/

bigchrisfgb · September 15th, 2010, 10:21 PM

Will this actually be owned and ran by Hilton? If so I'd expect it to be a 4* hotel. The Travelodge is not in Cobalt, it's in Silverlink and the Premier Inn is in Holystone on the otherside of the A19.

TownPlanningNE · September 17th, 2010, 01:58 PM

What is Hilton Hamilton? I've just looked on the Hilton website and it doesnt seem to be listed as one of their brands? Is it not supposed to be Hampton by Hilton?

TownPlanningNE · September 17th, 2010, 02:00 PM

Speaking of Hilton does anyone know what's happening with the airport hotel? Which supposed to be a Doubletree by Hilton.

the_sage · September 17th, 2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TownPlanningNE

What is Hilton Hamilton? I've just looked on the Hilton website and it doesnt seem to be listed as one of their brands? Is it not supposed to be Hampton by Hilton?

Like you said its probably the Hampton Inn by Hilton which have suites with kitchens etc. the same concept as Residence Inn by Marriott.

TownPlanningNE · September 17th, 2010, 07:10 PM

I've just checked the planning application for the Doubletree by Hilton branding and signage for the airport hotel and it was granted a while back. Not sure what is taking them so long to get it all finished?

DXNewcastle · September 17th, 2010, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TownPlanningNE

Not sure what is taking them so long to get it all finished?

That's simple. Instructions to complete the works won't be issued until Hilton commits to taking on the unit. And pays for it.

I can only guess that they don't feel that the market is lucrative enough at the moment to run the unit viably. There's a lot of facilities in there (conference rooms, gym etc) as well as bedrooms, restaurant and all the usual stuff, staffed to the standards of a Hilton, all of which would have to be sustained, along with financing the development.

TownPlanningNE · September 17th, 2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DXNewcastle

That's simple. Instructions to complete the works won't be issued until Hilton commits to taking on the unit. And pays for it.

I can only guess that they don't feel that the market is lucrative enough at the moment to run the unit viably. There's a lot of facilities in there (conference rooms, gym etc) as well as bedrooms, restaurant and all the usual stuff, staffed to the standards of a Hilton, all of which would have to be sustained, along with financing the development.

Do you know this is definately the case or are you just guessing that is whats wrong?

geordiejon · September 17th, 2010, 08:22 PM

I am bout 90% sure that Hilton dropped out of the hotel a long time ago- the people who built it also went into big financial difficulties- not sure if they went bust or not- and as far as I know there is nobody lined up to move into the hotel and I think the whole building is up for sale.
The summer is now over so even if some hotel operator were interested nowt would be opening now till next Summer.

TownPlanningNE · September 17th, 2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geordiejon

I am bout 90% sure that Hilton dropped out of the hotel a long time ago- the people who built it also went into big financial difficulties- not sure if they went bust or not- and as far as I know there is nobody lined up to move into the hotel and I think the whole building is up for sale.
The summer is now over so even if some hotel operator were interested nowt would be opening now till next Summer.

Are you sure your not confusing Hilton with the original operator of Ramada. They dropped out when the company who built it went into administration. This was about 2 or 3years ago now though. Doubletree by Hilton was then supposed to open it, and planning applications went in last November.

maxtoon · September 17th, 2010, 09:14 PM

Re - Airport Hotel

Rostock Investments went into administration back in 2006 and Ramada did initially show interest but soon dropped out when the investors cut corners with the development.

Finance issues caused the design of the hotel to be changed during construction. The whole east facing side was originally due to be fully glazed giving gym and conference facilites an impressive and almost airside view. Cut backs caused them to drop all glazing from this end and just ended up leaving a huge 3 storey white wall. Hilton seem to be currently mothballing the development until the market picks up. They hope to open it under their 'Doubletree' brand as TownplanningNE mentioned.

September 15th, 2010, 10:21 PM	#91
bigchrisfgb The Legend Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newcastle Posts: 10,026 Likes (Received): 45	Will this actually be owned and ran by Hilton? If so I'd expect it to be a 4* hotel. The Travelodge is not in Cobalt, it's in Silverlink and the Premier Inn is in Holystone on the otherside of the A19. __________________ The stars are falling into bombs! Newcastle Metro Area

September 17th, 2010, 01:58 PM	#92
TownPlanningNE Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Durham/Newcastle Posts: 1,570 Likes (Received): 1	What is Hilton Hamilton? I've just looked on the Hilton website and it doesnt seem to be listed as one of their brands? Is it not supposed to be Hampton by Hilton? __________________ Newcastle Metro Area Forum

September 17th, 2010, 02:00 PM	#93
TownPlanningNE Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Durham/Newcastle Posts: 1,570 Likes (Received): 1	Speaking of Hilton does anyone know what's happening with the airport hotel? Which supposed to be a Doubletree by Hilton. __________________ Newcastle Metro Area Forum

September 17th, 2010, 07:10 PM	#95
TownPlanningNE Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Durham/Newcastle Posts: 1,570 Likes (Received): 1	I've just checked the planning application for the Doubletree by Hilton branding and signage for the airport hotel and it was granted a while back. Not sure what is taking them so long to get it all finished? __________________ Newcastle Metro Area Forum

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August 11th, 2010, 12:18 AM	#81
BigLebowski Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,108 Likes (Received): 1	Story in todays Indy regarding Intercontinental Hotels expansion into the UK: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/bu...s-2048734.html This particular paragraph caught my attention: The world's biggest hotelier, which also operates under the Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites brands, reported operating profits of 219 million US dollars (£137.3 million) in the first half of 2010...A spokesman for the group said of the 35 planned hotels, 24 will be Holiday Inns and there will be two new Crowne Plazas, three Staybridge Suites and five Hotel Indigos. I cant imagine there are any cities outside London which will boast one of each in the company's expansion programme (Crowne Plaza - Stephenson Qtr, Indigo - Grainger Town, Holiday Inn - Jesmond, Staybridge - Shieldfield). I'd say this was a big confidence boost for the city's hotel sector.

August 16th, 2010, 07:03 PM	#82
upnorth Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 40 Likes (Received): 0	Hi all I'm a long time reader of the forum here, but this is my first post... Does anyone know what the current situation is with the Saints Hotel site behind Central Station? I walked past a few months ago and it seemed like the cafe/bar parts were almost ready to go - I'm sure they even had a menu and price list on display, unless that was a figment of my imagination - but recently when I passed the whole site seemed boarded up again. The website still seems to be up and running, but no details of a potential opening.

August 20th, 2010, 11:20 AM	#86
gregstone Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,133 Likes (Received): 13	I stayed in an Ibis Hotel in York earlier this week and was quite impressed with it for value - a notch above the Travellodge type operations with a reasonable bar area, breakfast etc. Don't think we have one in Newcastle but it would be a good addition to the mix.

August 20th, 2010, 11:45 AM	#87
Seamaster VOTE MERCHANT IN 83 ☒ Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,843 Likes (Received): 30	Accor's newer developments on the continent have typically been multi-branded sites, eg Novotel & Ibis or Ibis & Formule 1. When the announcement was made of multiple hotels on the Newgate Shopping Centre site, my immediate reaction was Novotel/Ibis/F1.

August 21st, 2010, 01:00 PM	#88
maxtoon Southeast Geordie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London/Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 608 Likes (Received): 0	I've got strong feelings about the Formule 1 brand. A few years ago we stayed in the newcastle Formule 1 after attending a wedding function in gosforth. It was £19 per night and the worst hotel we have ever stayed in .. some drunks burst into room at 2am .. prostitutes walking up n down the corridors knocking on doors to see if any were vacant so they could obviously do some business. It was just a knocking shop after a night on the town. When we left the next morning after no sleep at all somebody had been sick in the corridor !! I've also stayed in the Middlesborough F1 while working down there which is just a converted industrial unit on a trading estate .. It was bloody disgusting and another knocking shop. This is what happens when budget hotels offer rooms at 'cheaper than a cab fair' £15-20 per night.

August 21st, 2010, 02:25 PM	#89
Wullie32 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 30 Likes (Received): 0	I stayed in the Heathrow Ibis last year, very impressed with it.

September 15th, 2010, 06:37 PM	#90
*Newcastle Historian* Moderator and Archivist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 15,060 Likes (Received): 63	Hilton Hamilton Hotel bid based on hope of 6,000 jobs September 15th 2010, The Journal PLANS have been tabled for a new hotel to meet demand from a North East Business Park, whose workforce is projected to grow from 9,000 to 15,000 in the next five years. The 125-bedroom Hilton Hamilton Hotel is intended to occupy a central site at the Cobalt Business Park in North Tyneside. The hotel would be part of a development that would also include an office block. The planning application envisages that the office block would accommodate the Cobalt Management Centre, a food store, bank, bakers/sandwich shop, dry cleaners and cafe/coffee shop and a 257-space car park. A plaza between the two buildings would include two feature ponds and seating. It would give a focal point to workers who could meet there on their breaks, and provide an area for outdoor events and performances. Existing poor quality trees on the site would be felled and replaced by species-rich hedge banks with new trees, wetland scrapes for amphibians and an area of new woodland with ponds. North Tyneside councillors are being advised by planners to back the scheme when the meet on Monday. The business park is currently being served by the Village Hotel, which opened 10 years ago, as well as a Travelodge and a Premier Inn. But the applicants behind the new proposal, Highbridge Business Park Ltd, say there is increasing demand for hotel rooms, particularly as the company expects that there will be an extra 6,000 employees on the park by 2015. It claims that the hotel and shops are needed to ensure that Cobalt competes with other business parks. Town planning consultants, Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners have submitted objections on behalf of De Vere Hotels and Leisure, which is the owner of The Village Hotel. FULL ARTICLE HERE - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...1634-27273409/

September 17th, 2010, 08:22 PM	#98
geordiejon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,304 Likes (Received): 4	I am bout 90% sure that Hilton dropped out of the hotel a long time ago- the people who built it also went into big financial difficulties- not sure if they went bust or not- and as far as I know there is nobody lined up to move into the hotel and I think the whole building is up for sale. The summer is now over so even if some hotel operator were interested nowt would be opening now till next Summer.

September 17th, 2010, 09:14 PM	#100
maxtoon Southeast Geordie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London/Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 608 Likes (Received): 0	Re - Airport Hotel Rostock Investments went into administration back in 2006 and Ramada did initially show interest but soon dropped out when the investors cut corners with the development. Finance issues caused the design of the hotel to be changed during construction. The whole east facing side was originally due to be fully glazed giving gym and conference facilites an impressive and almost airside view. Cut backs caused them to drop all glazing from this end and just ended up leaving a huge 3 storey white wall. Hilton seem to be currently mothballing the development until the market picks up. They hope to open it under their 'Doubletree' brand as TownplanningNE mentioned.