We sent our writer, Rachel McAlley to visit and experience the newly refurbished Leonardo Hotel Newcastle. Located on the outskirts of the city centre, with everything within walking distance, this is a great place to explore the area from.
Leonardo Hotel Newcastle has undergone a £5 million bedroom refurbishment, unveiling a brand-new look and feel for guests. The extensive refurbishment programme has brought a completely refreshed guest experience to the hotel’s 274 bedrooms, introducing a contemporary design that draws deeply on Newcastle’s industrial heritage and vibrant culture identity.
From the moment we arrived and walked through the tree-lined enclosed courtyard we knew this was going to be a lovely hotel.
We checked in and were greeted by smiles from the reception team. Additionally, it was a bustling lounge area with guests milling around. Once we had our room keys, we were told that a late check out had been arranged at 1pm the following day! I have never stayed anywhere before where guests can check out so late. This is for all guests if a member of the Leonardo AdvantageCLUB, not just for me and my plus one.
Leonardo Hotel Newcastle Refurbished Rooms
Once in our room, we unpacked, relaxed, and enjoyed the newly designed layout and décor. Each bedroom has been completely redesigned creating modern spaces tailored to meet the needs of today’s travellers. Guests can unwind in style, with each room featuring a bespoke Leonardo DREAM bed with plush duvets and pillows. Plus, a 50-inch flat screen TV, rain fall shower with complimentary Elementary toiletries, and tea and coffee making facilities.
If your’e lucky enough to stay in an Executive Room they offer additional premium touches. These include a Nespresso machine, 10% off food and drink, enhanced toiletries, and late check out, further elevating your experience.
Created by interior designers Cunningham McLean. The concept pays tribute to the city’s legacy in shipbuilding, locomotive manufacturing, steelworks and textiles which is visible throughout the decor. Equally, all bedrooms feature bespoke upholstered headboards with integrated LED lighting. Also, new carpets inspired by the grid patterns of the city’s historic railway tracks. And, a blue and orange colour palette referencing Newcastle’s industrial roots and its dynamic arts scene.
Located at St James’ Gate on Scotswood Road, Leonardo Hotel Newcastle is situated at the heart of the city centre. All within easy reach of Newcastle Central Station, Eldon Square Shopping Centre and Newcastle Business Park.
What The General Manager Says
Luke Crawford, General Manager at Leonardo Hotel Newcastle, said:
“We’re delighted to unveil this £5 million transformation and see our guests enjoy the results for themselves.
“This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering an exceptional stay for our guests, as they enjoy all that Newcastle has to offer. We’re proud to bring a vibrant new look to our rooms, while retaining everything that guests love about our convenient, central location and friendly team members. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to experience the hotel’s brand-new look.”
Alongside the newly refurbished bedrooms, Leonardo Hotel Newcastle offers a stylish all-day bar and restaurant. Plus, nine on-site meeting rooms and convenient off-site car and coach parking located nearby. Thus, making it ideal for both corporate and leisure travellers visiting the North East of England.
Food & Drink at Leonardo Hotel Newcastle
We dined at The Bar & Grill for dinner that evening, and it didn’t disappoint. I was pleased to see that the bar serves Newcastle Brown Ale, which I haven’t noticed in other hotels. We were looked after by Keira, who was a dream member of the Leonardo team. She was super busy due to there being a coach-load of guests enjoying a pre-dinner drink in the bar.
After perusing the menu we opted for Baked Camembert (£11.50) with Toasted Sourdough and Chilli Jam to start, and the Sticky Glazed Chicken Wings (£9.50). The camembert was delicious! For our mains we chose Salmon Caesar Salad (£22) along with the Steak Frites (£20), with a Peppercorn Sauce (£3.50). The steak was the standout dish here, and it was cooked to perfection!
Before leaving the bar area we ordered a couple of hot chocolates to take to our room as we were too full for dessert. Lots of guests were ordering hot drinks that were made using an Illy Coffee Machine in the bar, so we indulged. I’m so glad we did as they were quite possibly the best hot chocolates we have ever had in a hotel.
Back in our room we watched the giant TV, and played a couple of board games before retiring for the night. The rooms have the comfiest beds! I took a shower before going to bed and I’m so glad that I did, because I love a rainfall shower, and it was really powerful too.
Breakfast & Beyond at Leonardo Hotel Newcastle
We enjoyed breakfast in the morning, a hot buffet selection alongside plenty of pastries, cereals, and continental options. I was so pleased to see that it was busy with people from all over the world tucking into their breakfasts.
Looking ahead, additional refurbishment of the hotel’s public areas is expected to begin in February 2027, as Leonardo Hotels continues its investment in the property. Furthermore, I can’t wait to return to see the finished design. If the hotel rooms are anything to go by, it’s going to look stunning.
Rooms are priced from £53 per night room only. Prices vary during peak and off peak, and breakfast is charged extra. Visit Leonardo Hotel Newcastle to book.
Leonardo Hotel Information
A leading hotel group that operates 57 centrally located hotels and over 11,000 rooms. As one of the fastest-growing hotel groups in Europe, it has five brands. These include; Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, Master, Leonardo Limited Edition Hotels and NYX Hotels across a growing portfolio. Known for their contemporary design, warm hospitality and thoughtfully curated amenities. From bespoke DREAM beds designed for a restful night’s sleep to spacious rooms, and relaxed dining in the Bar & Grill, each hotel provides a welcome retreat after a busy day of exploring.
Leonardo Hotels can be found in 57 central locations across the UK & Ireland. With 9 Leonardo Royal Hotels including Brighton Waterfront, London St Pauls, London Tower, London City, Oxford, Birmingham, Southampton, Edinburgh and Glasgow. They offer a variety of services including pool & spa, gym, steakhouse and more.
Visit Leonardo Hotels to book a room at one of their locations across the UK
Life Science Centre
Newcastle’s Life Science Centre is directly opposite Leonardo Hotel Newcastle, so it was a must visit location during my visit.
Honestly, it couldn’t have been any better located, it took less than 3 minutes to checkout of the hotel and wander across the street to this excellent attraction.
I thought we’d spend an hour or so visiting, in fact my daughter and I spent almost 3 hours in the centre. We enjoyed everything it had to offer. With attractions like The Big Dino Den, Planetarium Shows, Lightbox, Space Zone, and The Making Studios we were enthralled by all that we could do.
My personal favourite part of the visit was watching the Planetarium Show: Life; The Greatest Story. It was an insight to how everything started on our planet, going through evolution, highlighting the creatures and animals of our world. My daughter’s favourite part of the afternoon was spent in Lightbox. Moreover, this is a room filled with hands-on immersive scientific things to do, touch, watch, listen to and feel.
We would happily recommend a visit to the Life Science Centre. Priced at £15 each for children and adults, and under 2 years old are free.
Words by Rachel McAlley aka @LadyRach
