Unbelievable Newcastle Stay! Ramada Encore's Hidden Gem Revealed
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this review of the Ramada Encore Newcastle is gonna be less "TripAdvisor perfect" and more "drunkenly scribbled on a napkin after a few pints." You’ve been warned. Let’s dive in, because honestly, I'm still feeling the afterglow.
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Title: Unbelievable Newcastle Stay! Ramada Encore's Hidden Gem Revealed (And Honestly, I'm Still Smiling)
The Unbelievable (and Mostly Good) Stuff: A Chaotic Chronicle
First off, let's just get this out of the way. I'm not a travel writer. I'm me. And I just stumbled across this place during a ridiculously overdue trip to Newcastle. The Ramada Encore, right? Sounds… generic. I pictured beige walls, bland service, the whole shebang. WRONG. So Wrong.
Accessibility – Praise Be! (Especially for My Bad Knee)
Alright, this is where things get interesting. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I do have a dodgy knee that acts up when it feels like it. This place was a godsend. Elevator? Check. Easy access to the front desk? Double-check. The hallways weren't cramped, and maneuvering felt… easy. That's HUGE for me. And honestly, the lack of stress about navigating a hotel like that… it sets the whole tone. (Plus, they have facilities for disabled guests. Gotta give them the thumbs up on that.) I’ve stayed in places that claimed accessibility and turned out to be more like an obstacle course. This wasn't. This was genuinely user-friendly. Bravo.
Wheelchair Accessible? YES! (And That's Important, People)
I may not need it full-time, but I've seen enough friends struggle to know it's a massive consideration. This place seemed to get it. Wide doorways, spacious bathrooms (not a cramped, tiny cubicle!), and all the little things that make a huge difference. Seriously, kudos to the folks who designed this place with everyone in mind.
Internet - The Lifeline (And, You Know… Free Wi-Fi!)
Okay, the modern world. You can't survive without the internet. So naturally, I was thrilled to get the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! The signal was strong (essential for streaming some questionable television choices, obviously) and consistent. No agonizing over slow loading or dropped connections. Also, Internet [LAN] availability for the more tech-savvy among us, or anyone needing a super-secure connection.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax – Let's Get Pampered! (Almost)
Here's where my slightly less organized notes come in. I intended to check out the Fitness center. (Lies. Pure lies.) I did, however, make a beeline for the Sauna and Steamroom. (Sorry, no Body Scrub or Body wrap for me this trip, but they're on the menu!). The Spa/sauna situation was pretty decent. Clean. Relaxing. And let's be honest, after a day of exploring Newcastle, it's exactly what the doctor ordered. Not a massive, sprawling spa, mind you, but enough to unwind and de-stress. I love the Pool with view, it's really nice to enjoy a spa day.
Cleanliness and Safety – Because We're Living Through… Gestures vaguely… All This
This is the modern world, right? I'm paranoid about germs. So, Anti-viral cleaning products? Daily disinfection in common areas? Rooms sanitized between stays? Music to my anxious ears. They've got this thing down. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere, obviously. The Staff trained in safety protocol. I might sound like a broken record, but it felt safe. That's a huge deal to me. Plus, they had Cashless payment service, which is just one less thing to worry about. The room was spotless! And I appreciated the clear effort to ensure the safety of their guests.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Fun (Mostly)
Okay, the food. Here's where the "almost" comes in. I loved the Buffet in restaurant at breakfast, you know, the usual suspects, with Asian breakfast, and they have Vegetarian restaurant. Plenty of choice, which is always a bonus. The coffee, though… hmm. Let's just say it wasn't the best coffee I've ever had. I'm a bit of a coffee snob, sue me! But after that, I made up for it with the rest of the options. There is a Bar, and I must admit, I indulged in a few Happy hour specials in there. The pool-side bar is amazing, and you can enjoy an amazing dinner with A la carte in restaurant.
Room Service [24-hour] – Because Sometimes You Just Can't Be Bothered
I may have occasionally used the Room service [24-hour]. It's a weakness. (Especially after a few pints.) Surprisingly, the quality of the food was decent. And the convenience? Priceless.
Services and Conveniences – They Thought of Everything (Almost)
Air conditioning in public area? Check. Cash withdrawal? Check. Concierge? Yes, and helpful! Daily housekeeping? My room was always spick and span. You can also have Food delivery if you don't want to leave your room. And, a convenient Convenience store. This place isn't perfect, but it tries damn hard.
For the Kids – Family Friendly (and Maybe a Babysitter!)
Okay, I went solo. But I saw lots of families. They had Babysitting service which is great! They are definitely Family/child friendly.
Available in all rooms – More Room Confessions
Alright, let's talk room specifics. Air conditioning? A must. Blackout curtains? Necessary for my sleep-deprived self. A Coffee/tea maker? Essential. Free bottled water? Always appreciated. In-room safe box? A little extra peace of mind. Internet access – wireless? Yep! Mini bar? Let's just say it vanished quickly. Non-smoking? Thank goodness. Private bathroom? Absolutely. Seating area? Nice to stretch out in. Shower? Perfect. Soundproofing? Excellent for blocking out the inevitable late-night revelry. Wi-Fi [free]? Of course! Wake-up service. They even offer On-demand movies.
The room was modern, comfy, and (crucially) clean. I appreciated having a Desk to work on the laptop in. Plus, the Extra long bed guaranteed a good night's sleep.
Getting Around – Convenient or Commuting?
Airport transfer? Yes, it's available, but I didn't need it. I did use the Taxi service, which was easy. Car park [free of charge] - BONUS! This is a huge win, especially in a city. Car park [on-site] is also available.
Quirks, Rambles, and Honest Imperfections
Okay, so where were the flaws? (Because no place is perfect.) The coffee in the morning was a bit… meh. And, the decor is maybe a little too neutral for my taste. It's functional. It's clean. But it isn't exactly personality-filled. Think "modern hotel" rather than "boutique experience."
But honestly, the location, the accessibility, the cleanliness, and the overall feeling of comfort? This place really nailed it.
The Verdict – Definitely Would Recommend (and Would Go Back!)
Look, I'm not a robot. I can't give you a completely objective review. But honestly? I loved this place. For the price, location, and the sheer ease of it all, the Ramada Encore Newcastle is a winner. It's practical, accessible, and (most importantly) a place where I actually felt relaxed. I'm already plotting my return to Newcastle and, yes, I'm already checking availability! This hotel wasn't just a place to sleep; it was an experience. And a very good one, at that! Now, where did I leave that leftover pizza?
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is a Ramada Encore Newcastle-Gateshead adventure, written in the throes of memory, with all the mess and madness that entails. Prepare for emotional whiplash, questionable decision-making, and a whole lotta love (or hate, who knows?) for Newcastle.
The Ramada Encore Rambles: A Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Romp – (Probably) In Chronological Order
Arrival - Day 1: The "Is This the Right City?" Edition
14:00 - Arrival at the Ramada Encore: Okay, first things first: the building's…well, it's a Ramada. Functional. Clean enough. The lobby had a weird smell I couldn't quite place. Smells of cleaning products and old ambitions? I don't know. Whatever it was, it wasn't the most welcoming aroma after a train ride. First impressions, and all that. But hey, free wifi, right?! That's what matters.
14:30 - Room Inspection (and Existential Dread): The room was… predictable. Standard hotel room fare. Bed, desk, TV. But the window! Oh, the window looked out onto… a car park. A vast, grey expanse of asphalt. My soul wept. This is it, I thought. The Newcastle experience. From a parking lot. I fought the urge to call my travel agent (wait, I am the travel agent).
15:00 - The Search for Coffee and Sanity: Right. Coffee. Essential. The hotel's in-house bar/restaurant seemed… quiet. So, Google maps to the rescue! Found a little place called "Quilliam Brothers" a few blocks away. Excellent coffee and a nice atmosphere. I had the first positive feeling of the day. Coffee: 1, Existential Dread: 0.
16:00 - Initial exploration of Newcastle: Walked through the city center, passing the famed Millennium Bridge and the Tyne Bridge. Honestly, the bridges are impressive, massive! Seeing then rise over the river was a sight to behold. I got a little lost, and then, for some totally inexplicable reason, I decided to take a wrong turn and wandered into… a street market. The vendors were fantastic, the scent of fresh food was in the air.
18:00 - Dinner: The "Fish and Chips Conundrum": Ah, the sacred fish and chips. Where to find THE BEST? After much deliberation (and a Yelp search that resulted in a mild existential crisis), I ventured to a place called "Longsands Fish Kitchen". It was a trek but worth it!
Day 2: Bridges, Booze, and Bloody Bad Decisions
09:00- Breakfast at the Hotel : Let's be honest breakfast wasn't great. A bland assortment of pastries and fruit.
10:00 - Exploring the Quayside: Ah, the Quayside! This is where Newcastle truly shines. The buildings are gorgeous. The views are staggering. The vibe is lively. I walked along the waterfront, taking photos of course. I even attempted a selfie with the Tyne Bridge. Naaaailed it.
12:00 - The Discovery Museum: My inner geek rejoiced. The Discovery Museum contained the history of Newcastle and showed the innovation behind the city's history. I spent ages poring over the exhibits.
14:00 - The "Pub Crawl of Regret" Begins: Okay, here's where things get a little… fuzzy. Newcastle is famous for its pubs, and your intrepid traveler (me) decided to experience them. Fully. The first couple of pubs were fine. But then… I met some locals. Wonderful, friendly Geordies who were absolutely determined to show me a good time. The afternoon dissolved into a haze of ale, laughter, and questionable karaoke. The karaoke was a disaster – I'm talking off-key, microphone-grabbing, and possibly embarrassing (for everyone involved) renditions of 80s rock ballads. I'm pretty sure I sang "Livin' on a Prayer," and I'm also pretty sure no one knew the words.
18:00 - The Walk of Shame back to the Ramada: Let's just say the walk back to the hotel was… slow. And involved a lot of leaning on walls and trying to remember the correct route. I vaguely recall buying a kebab at some point. Don't. Ask.
20:00 - Bed. I'm not even sure this was the end. Who knows?
Day 3: Culture, Calm, and the Lingering Effects of Day 2
- 09:00 - Regret-Laden Wake-Up Call: Let's just say the morning was a little… rough. My head felt like a lead weight, and my stomach was staging a revolt. Coffee, a lot of coffee, was required.
- 10:00- The Laing Art Gallery: The Laing Art Gallery was an experience. A place of calm in the midst of the chaos of the last 48 hours. It was stunning.
- 12:00 - Food: After an artistic experience, I need food. A hearty meal, a proper recovery. I chose something delicious, I forget where.
- 14:00 Departure: I didn't want to go. Newcastle had, against all odds, wormed its way into my heart. The people, the bridges, the quirky streets… it was an experience.
Final Thoughts
Newcastle is a city of contrasts. It's a city of grit and beauty. It's a city of history and hedonism. It's a city that will leave you exhausted, exhilarated, and possibly with a slight hangover.
The Ramada Encore? Well, it served its purpose. It provided a place to sleep (eventually). But the true magic of Newcastle lies beyond the hotel walls. Go explore, be open to adventure, and embrace the chaos. You might just have the time of your life. And try to avoid the karaoke. Seriously.
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Unbelievable Newcastle Stay! Ramada Encore's Hidden Gem (…or a Slightly Tarnished Bauble?) Revealed
(Prepare for some rambling… and maybe a little regret… or maybe just… okay, let’s get into it.)
Okay, So…Ramada Encore Newcastle? Worth the Hype? Or Just Another Hotel?
Alright, fine. Here's the deal. "Hidden Gem"... that's what the brochure screamed. "Unbelievable Stay!" they bellowed. And, well, let's just say my expectations were... high. Like, "I'm-going-to-be-treated-royally-and-never-leave-this-hotel" high. Reality? Kinda… closer to reality. It *was* a good stay, definitely. But "unbelievable"? Jury's still out.
It's clean, generally. The staff are… *mostly* helpful. The location? Actually brilliant. Five minute walk from Central Station, which, let me tell you after a train delay from hell, was a GODSEND. So, yeah. WORTH IT? Er... depends on what you're looking for. Let's dig in, shall we? Because, honestly, I've got *opinions*.
The Room: A Tiny Fortress of… Comfort? Or Claustrophobia?
Right, the room. Ah, the room. It was… cosy. Let's call it cosy. Or maybe "intimately sized." Translation: Don't expect to do cartwheels. Unless you enjoy banging your elbows on the walls (which, hey, maybe some people do. No judgement). The bed was comfy enough, thankfully. I NEED a comfy bed. I travel with, like, a miniature version of my own memory foam pillow. Sad, I know. But I'm a light sleeper, and a decent night's sleep is like… gold.
My biggest issue? The *view*. My room looked out… onto another building. A brick wall, specifically. It was a real morale killer first thing in the morning. I'm talking "stare-at-the-wall-and-question-all-life-choices" kind of killer. Actually, I requested a room change. They were *super* accommodating and moved me, which was fantastic! But, still…brick walls. A small detail that loomed large.
Breakfast: The Good, The… Questionable, and the Story of the Missing Sausages.
Breakfast is, for me, the make-or-break. I'm talking Full English kind of girl. And, yeah, the Ramada Encore delivered… mostly. There were all the usual suspects (eggs, beans, toast). And the coffee? Actually surprisingly decent. I was prepared for the instant-coffee-from-hell experience. But no. Proper coffee. Score one for Ramada!
But, and this is a *big* but… The sausages. Oh, the sausages. One morning… NO SAUSAGES. Gone. Vanished. Poof! I enquired with a slightly frantic look in my eyes (I *need* my sausage, okay?). The staff member looked genuinely mortified. "Oh dear! We've run out! We're expecting more…" More never came. I ended up with… well, a sausage-less breakfast. It was a dark day, my friends. A dark day. (And, honestly, the other hot options were a bit… lukewarm. But, hey, I’m over the sausages… mostly.).
Location, Location, Location: A Win for the Ramada!
Okay, can we just pause and appreciate the location? Seriously, it’s *amazing*. Central Station is literally a stone's throw away. Perfect if, like me, your train journey involved a near-miss with a derailed sheep (true story). Or if, you know, you just want to, you know, arrive in Newcastle easily.
Plus, you're right in the city center! Shops, bars, restaurants… all within a reasonable stumbling distance. I explored the Grainger Town, popped into a cheeky pub (or two… or three…), and basically had a blast. Honestly? Best thing about the whole experience.
The Staff: Angels… or Just People Doing Their Jobs?
The staff were… fine. They were polite. They were helpful. They were… *there*. Which, in the hospitality industry, is sometimes all you can hope for. I had a minor issue with the Wi-Fi (grrr, technology!), and someone sorted it out quickly. So that was a win. They also dealt with my "missing sausages" meltdown with impressive grace. So, yeah, kudos to them. They weren't, you know, overly friendly. But they weren't robots either. It was that perfect balance of professional and… well, just trying to get through the day. Which, honestly, I respect.
The Overall Vibe: Would I Go Back? And Why am I Suddenly Thinking About Sausages Again?
Okay, the million-dollar question. Would I go back? Probably. The convenient location is hard to beat. And, let’s be honest, I am a sucker for a decent hotel, even if they do have brick walls and a questionable sausage supply. It’s clean, efficient, and gets the job done.
The "unbelievable" part? Maybe a little exaggerated. It's good. Solid. A perfectly decent option for a Newcastle trip. But it's not going to blow your mind. (Unless you *really* love the location – in which case, it might.) The most unbelievable thing about my stay? That it's still the sausages that stick in my mind. I'm off to find a decent butcher. And maybe… just maybe… I'll give the Ramada Encore *another* chance. But next time, I'm taking my own darn sausages.
