It’s birthday time again and whenever our birthday falls on a week night we always choose to stay within an hour of home. Some may find this a little odd but we both love the North East. For just one night we relinquish the title of mummy and daddy and embrace being Suzanne and Richard.
SO was it daddy or chips (Durham of Newcastle)? We opted for chips and headed into one of our favourite suburbs – Jesmond. We are well versed in this area with still having a flat in the area (which we moved out of to become ‘serious adults’ back in 2010.)
Jesmond has a plethora of hotels from the tatty and dilapidated to the sleek and for our choice this evening ‘unique’. The Rosebery Hotel has been receiving guests for around one hundred years and has been within the current owners, Janet Stansfield’s family for the last 40 years.
First impression – so then it’s not every day you see a bed in a garden but right from the start The Rosebery was out to make an impression. Whether you think it’s a good idea is simply down to taste but I truly embraced the ‘flower bed’ shocking pink and very in your face.
Parking – was a doddle with no permits or time constraints in place which is VERY unusual in Jesmond. We gave Janet a tinkle and we were welcomed by the lovely lady in a rather ta da way which we loved.
Her indoors – Janet had had a busy day as she is well underway a whole hotel revamp and renovation of the hotel and she’s doing a mighty fine job (if you are a purist and want traditional Victorian interiors then this is NOT the hotel for you).
JS has an acute eye for the antiquities, curios and upcycling genius. She is a self confessed skip lover as am I (remember people always ask before you take) and she let us into some places she sourced from but a lady has to have some secrets so I wont be telling you all here. Her design prowess doesn’t stay in her establishment but she’s been let loose on our tv screens too in Your Home In Their Hands – watch an episode with Janet in here .
The tour – We had a tour of as many of the available rooms as possible and we were even shown some that were occupied (the guests didn’t seem to mind). Each of the rooms had a different slant, some we liked, some we loved and some we weren’t so sure of. Janet let us in on her future room ideas and they are suitably luxurious.
A little tipple and an olive or two – a great touch is a drink on check in. With a lovely drinks trolley who wouldn’t say no to a G&T? This was teamed with a copious amount of lovely green olives.
Our room – room 18 – This room is a twin room and HUGE replete with two double beds so for us it was a happy bed and huffy bed (thankfully we didn’t need the huffy bed), en suite and a dining area too.
Our beds were ballooned filled with confetti too. Chocolates and perry to we really were spoilt, ‘Happy birthday Richard’.
Room 18 was most definitely cluttered but not in a bad way. Like many of the rooms they start with an inspirational wallpaper this one is Birdcage Walk by Nina Campbell.
The en suite was so pretty to look at. The turned wood on the footings of the bath was a simply work of art and sourced locally too. The mirrored, tiles, pale blue background and bathroom unit adorned with perfume bottles was perfectly curated. The only thing missing was a shower and I’d maybe strip back the toiletries.
Our evening – I wanted to stay locally in Jesmond or in my new favourite restaurant in Sandyford, Harissa but as it was Richard’s birthday it was his choice and he wanted to head into Newcastle city centre so we jumped in a cab and in 10 mins we were on Grey Street enjoying an evening as a couple. We couldn’t stay out too late as it was a school night though. Back to the ranch we headed at 11 bells.
Sleepytimes – we’d already chosen the ornate blue bed to sleep in but we had to heat the room as it was a little chilly but it soon warmed up. The bed was so comfortable that I was off to sleep very quickly and knowing I wouldn’t be awoken during the night was such a treat we’ve only had one other night away since Luke was born and that was at The Lowry in Manchester when he was three months old.
Richard didn’t sleep as well as I as he was worried about not waking up in time and the fridge was a little loud too.
Breakfast: This was an in room affair with a lovely selection of carb tastic treats (some of local supplier French Oven so we are told). I was a little surprised at the conserves not being local too this would be a welcomed accompaniment but understand it’s not easy to do everything.
The croissant warmer did what it said on the tin and the juice kept nice and cold in the fridge. We got though a pot of tea and coffee and really wished we had more time to savour the comfortable silence that 10 years of coupledom affords you.
Time for work: When the devil did the road that leads from the Coast road to Jesmond Dene House close? It was definitely open when I was pregnant….. we had to do a detour to get to my work, thank goodness for sat nav!
A couple of things about the hotel.
1. It’s dog friendly but doesn’t smell of dog and they can supply you with the cutest of dog beds.
2. Janet often has long term residents at the hotel. Some just like it others have it as their bolt hole whilst their loved one has treatment at the Freeman hospital. Some patients even come to the hotel to get away from the hospital and visit their beloved in nicer surroundings.
A little Q&A from myself to Janet
Q. How does the old management feel about the (fantastic) changes?
A. The old management love the new changes and pleased to see the building remain as a hotel, with it’s 100 year history of being a hotel continue, rather than being converted into flats and loosing it’s aesthetic and charm.
Q. Have long term guests welcomed the changes?
A. Long term guests love the changes, as prices have not significantly increased, only slightly, so actually offer better value for guests money in a more stylish and unique environment. Guests appreciate all the care and love that goes into the rooms, common parts and exterior and do get the humour behind the quirkiness.
Q. What is your favorite room?
A. My favourite room is room 5, as it’s vast, very light, quiet, has a beautiful restful ambiance about it and you can see into Jesmond Dene, plus it has amazing wallpaper in Wisteria by Jocelyn Warner.
Q. Does your furniture sourcing dictate the room theme or does theme come first.
A. Depends what size, light, features are in the room and of course, what I can source for nearly next to nothing. Room 18, where you slept, the fabulous oversized statement bed, I spotted at a vintage fair and it was horrible. But after a bit of TLC and imagination, guests have a fabulous, sumptuous king size bed to relax and get cosy in 🙂
We had a wonderful stay and a top tip is ‘BOOK DIRECT’ as Janet adds 30 percent to cover costs when booking through third parties.
Rates start from £40 and full rate prices can be found here
Thank you Janet for a fabulous stay.
*Accommodation was provided by the Rosebery Hotel, 2 Rosebery Crescent, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 1ET in exchange for a fair and balanced review. All opinions are my own (and H2B’s when I let him have input).
