If you’re visiting Newcastle’s Utilita Arena for the first time, perhaps for one of the many outstanding events that happens there on a regular basis, you might be wondering where you can stay and where you can eat while you’re there.
There are many hotels and restaurants in the area, so many that it can be quite confusing, so we’ve picked out some of the best options for your visit.
We’ve chosen these for their convenience, as well as for their quality, so you know you don’t have to worry about travelling around too much if you don’t want to.
The hotels we’ve picked are close to Newcastle Arena, and are tried and tested for comfort and customer service. We’ve also picked out a couple of apartments in case you prefer to stay self-catering.
And the restaurants will all serve you delicious food in lovely surroundings, without you needing to go too far out of your way. After all, if you’re in Newcastle to see an event, you want to be able to get there a bit early and focus on having a great time, not wondering where you are because you’ve gone way off the beaten track!
We’ve chosen eateries that serve a wide variety of food, from steak to vegan pizza, so you can pick your perfect dining experience within just a few minutes’ walk of the Arena.
This four-star hotel is just a six minute walk from the Newcastle Arena, or maybe even five if you’re a speedy walker. It’s a chain hotel, so there’s nothing particularly boutiquey about it, but that’s absolutely fine if you’re just there for the night and you want to focus all your attention and appreciation on the performance you’re going to see.
Another well-known chain, the Crowne Plaza offers reassuring four star comfort and is a great option for couples. It’s got a spa and a wellness centre, including a swimming pool, in case you need to recover the next day from a big event at the Arena. It’s a modern hotel with views over the city, so you can get a great night’s sleep and wake up to a beautiful panorama the next morning. There’s also free WiFi, and an iron and ironing board in case you need it.
With an impressive five star rating, you can rent this apartment for a single night and enjoy being just six minutes’ walk from the arena. Not only that, but it’s got everything you might need for a convenient self-catering stay, with a washing machine, dishwasher, microwave and a private bathroom. The morning after your night at the Arena, you can sip your coffee and gaze out at the city views. It’s ideal for couples but can also sleep up to four people if needed.
Five minutes from the Arena is this incredibly highly rated apartment at St James Gate. It’s loved by guests for its convenient location, but also for its balcony and its home comforts such as a washing machine and microwave – all very useful when you’re staying somewhere that’s entirely self catering. The value for money, considering the prime location, is also a big draw for this apartment.
Actually located within the Crowne Plaza itself, this restaurant is just an eight minute walk from the Newcastle Arena. Food is prepared using local produce from a number of different farms, bakers and butchers nearby, so you know that your food hasn’t clocked up lots of miles and an unnecessary carbon footprint to reach your plate.
Again, an eight minute walk from the Arena, you can visit the Taste of Persia before you head to a big event there. Lining your stomach if you do will be a choice of traditional Persian food including classics like hummus, vine leaves and falafel, as well as chicken and lamb dishes.
A little further from Newcastle Arena, at 13 minutes’ walk, The Herb Garden is an Instagrammable feast of greenery and great design. Primarily a pizza restaurant, it has a range of meat, vegetarian and vegan pizzas as well as salads, sharing plates, and multiple kinds of garlic bread.
Modern and lush, the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse is everything you’d expect from a meat-lover’s paradise. It’s a connoisseur’s restaurant for those who want more than simply a big standard burger and chips, and it’s the perfect top-up treat if you’ve bought someone tickets to a big show as a present. Why not go the whole hog and take them for a high quality slap-up steak as well?