While many families, couples and groups of friends are currently enjoying their summer holidays, others are still busy with the planning stages and picking locations for a break away.
Not everyone will be jetting off abroad of course. Staycations have grown in popularity since Covid restrictions were in place and people began re-discovering their home country and what it has to offer. The North East, with its coastline and countryside, dramatic castles and vibrant cities, has more than its fair share of ideal getaway spots.
Amongst its attractions are the hotels - alongside the bed and breakfasts and holiday lets - that are popular with visitors to the region and as well as locals looking for an easy-to-reach location to recharge their batteries or new base from which to explore treasures close to their doorstep. To give people some ideas of the range of options out there, we've taken a look at the hotels whose guests have themselves rated highly.
Read more: Top spas in the North East
The list of hotels below are those ranked top in the North East according to Google reviews and, perhaps not surprisingly, they include several four-star and five-star hotels as well as award-winners. We've focused on hotels only so have removed holiday lets and inns as well as hotels which feature among Google's North East rankings but are actually well outside the region, such as North Yorkshire.
Highest-rated Google hotels in the North East
Langley Castle Hotel
Langley Castle Hotel, Langley, Hexham, NE47 5LU, 01434 688 888, www.langleycastle.co.uk
Google description: In a historic castle built in 1350, this regal hotel is 7.5 miles from Hexham Old Gaol museum (the oldest purpose-built prison in England) and 8.1 miles from Vindolanda, a Roman Army Museum on Hadrian's Wall. It has featured in a list of nine Castle Hotels in England That Take You Back In Time.
Reviews: Among the comment is one which called it a "perfect getaway" and added: "Staff were excellent so was the dining experience". And another included "of course the castle is magnificent, of course the food is fabulous - but the staff are the crowning glory". Peacocks in the grounds had a special mention too.
The Impeccable Pig
Front Street, Sedgefield, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 3AT 01740 582580, www.impeccablepig.co.uk
Description: The County Durham hotel (which offers a range of themed rooms - read about them here) is " in a great overall location for sightseeing, recreation, dining and getting around". It is said to one of the few hotels in the area with air conditioning.
Reviews: One guest said: "The food was amazing and so delicious," and "Very quirky and extravagant rooms with a beautiful dining area and bar to match!"
Rockliffe Hall Hotel
Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington DL2 2DU, 01325 729 999, www.rockliffehall.com
Description: The write-up of the hotel, which opened a new spa restaurant in 2021, says: "Set in an 18th Century red-brick mansion on 375 acres of grounds, this upscale hotel and annex is within driving distance of the North Yorkshire moors.." It has featured in a list of 15 Of The Best Golf and Spa Resorts in the UK.
Reviews included: "From the moment we arrived we couldn't have been treated better" and "The food was delicious and service impeccable. The spa facilities were excellent, especially the garden spa."
Seaham Hall
Lord Byrons Walk, Seaham SR7 7AG, 0191 516 1400, www.seaham-hall.co.uk
Description: The Google write up says: "Set on a cliff top on a 37-acres of a Georgian estate, this posh hotel is two miles from the train station and 13 miles from Durham city centre". Ithas featured in a list of 10 of the Best Hotels for Christmas and the New Year.
Reviews included "What a beautiful and serene place" and one guest who had enjoyed spa access wrote: "We stayed in a Junior suite and the room was gorgeous. Staff are all super friendly, spa is lovely and food in the Ozone is great."
Headlam Hall Country Hotel & Spa
Headlam, Darlington, DL2 3HA 01325 730 238, www.headlamhall.co.uk
Description: Set in a 17th Century country house, this upscale spa hotel is five miles from the medieval Raby Castle and 10 miles from the National Railway Museum in Shildon. It has featured in The Five Best Spa Hotels in the North East,
Reviews included: "Couldn't fault it at all. Accommodation, dinner etc. Spa and coffee bistro all brilliant. Staff very friendly. Couldn't do enough for us." Another said: Stunning nine-hole golf course here, well priced."
Lumley Castle Hotel
Ropery Lane, Chester-le-Street DH3 4NX, 0191 389 1111, www.lumleycastle.com
Description: A grand, 14th Century castle overlooking the River Wear and Durham County Cricket Ground, this posh boutique hotel is 12 miles from Durham Heritage Coast and Newcastle. It has featured in a list of the six most-haunted hotels in the UK.
Reviews: Among the comments are "The interior is as stunning as the exterior. The staff were friendly and the room was clean and very well equipped with lots of snacks and refreshments. I loved exploring the castle grounds, there were some great tracks along the river just behind the castle!" Another said: "A real castle, full of doors and small corridors. We got lost a couple of times, but there were always friendly staff around to help. Library bar has the nicest G&Ts."
Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
Coal Road, Hexham NE47 0BX, 01434 673 350, www.slaleyhallhotel.com
Description: On 1,000 acres of landscaped grounds, this posh golf resort hotel occupies an Edwardian mansion, 7.6 miles from Corbridge Roman Town - Hadrian's Wall and six miles from Hexham Racecourse. It has featured as one of the 15 Best Spa hotels in Newcastle in the Spa Hotels Guide.
Reviews: "The grounds and surrounding area were gorgeous. We really liked that all guests were welcome to walk the grounds even if not playing golf," said one. Another wrote: "Location, room, pool, ground, deckchairs and staff all amazing."
Derwent Manor Boutique Hotel
Derwent Manor, Allensford, County Durham, DH8 9BB, 01207 592000, derwentmanorhotel.com
Description: Good overall location for sightseeing, recreation, dining and getting around.
Reviews: Guests liked the clean rooms which have fridges and among the comments was "Excellent service, great staff, very good food, all-round quality". Another included: "Swimming pool was lovely and warm and the grounds were stunning."
Beamish Hall Hotel
Coppy Lane, Beamish, Stanley DH9 0YB, 01207 233 733, www.beamish-hall.co.uk
Description: With high-beamed ceilings, stone walls and large chandeliers, this grand 12th-century manor house hotel sits on 24 wooded acres 0.5 miles from Beamish Park Golf Club and 10 miles from Durham city centre. It's just a four-minute drive from Beamish Museum.
Reviews: "The staff, food, service and rooms were fantastic." Another included: "The food was absolutely superb. The history of the place is magnificent and the hall is immaculate. Staff were lovely too."
Walwick Hall
Humshaugh, Hexham NE46 4BJ, 01434 620 156, walwickhall.com
Description: Surrounded by rolling countryside, this elegant boutique hotel on a Georgian estate is 13 minutes' walk from Chesters Roman Fort and two miles from the ruins of Brunton Turret on Hadrian's Wall.
Reviews: "Fantastic place, lovely location, fab food and really nice staff." One review included: "This is one of the nicest hotels I’ve stayed at anywhere. It’s only 10 bedrooms which means you get personal service."
Lord Crewe Arms
The Square, Blanchland, Consett, DH8 9SP, 01434 677 100, lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk
Description: Occupying both a 12th Century priory and a row of cottages, this premium hotel is 8.2 miles from Derwent Gorge and Muggleswick Woods National Nature Reserve, and 11.3 miles from Consett and District Golf Club. The hotel also has been singled out in lists for its pub and restaurant.
Reviews: Several appreciated its pet-friendly approach and one review said: "Great food and service, good selection of beers in a lovely area." Another included: "Lovely remote spot. Hotel has great rooms with comfy beds and spacious bathrooms, but short on storage. Fabulous interesting old building with lots of cosy nooks. Lovely food."
The Cookie Jar
12 Bailiffgate, Alnwick NE66 1LX, 01665 510 465, www.cookiejaralnwick.com
Description: This stately hotel in a converted convent is a minute's walk from Bailiffgate Museum, housed in a 19th Century church and a four-minute walk from Alnwick Castle, which offers Harry Potter-themed events. It has featured in a list of the Top 20 Best Boutique Hotels in Northumberland.
Reviews: One referred to the hotel's meals as "Michelin star quality" and another called it "a small independent hotel in a great location", adding: "Nice comfortable rooms and lounge spaces, nice people and good food. If you’re looking for a friendly place to stay while you visit the castle, gardens and local beaches, it’s hard to beat."
Jesmond Dene House
Jesmond Dene Road, Newcastle, NE2 2EY, 0191 212 3000, jesmonddenehouse.co.uk
Description: Set in a grand stone arts and crafts estate on secluded grounds, this upscale hotel is one mile from Town Moor, two miles from Newcastle University and 8.2 miles from Tynemouth Beach.
Reviews included: "Great staff, food, service, clean and well appointed room, highly recommend" and, alongside one praising the cosy lounges, home-made biscuits and coffee was one saying: "It is a hidden gem. It backs onto Jesmond dene so you can go walks etc."
Matfen Hall
Matfen Hall Hotel, Matfen, Newcastle , NE20 0RH 01661 886 500, matfenhall.com
Description: In a stately country manor dating from the 1830s, this upscale golf resort hotel is 6.7 miles from Corbridge Roman Town and 12.1 miles from Chipchase Castle. The hotel (which underwent a revamp - see here - in 2021) has featured in a list of the best UK hotels with golf.
Reviews: One guest said that following its refurbishment the hotel is now "out of this world", adding "get full experience of the hall and grand hall. Would recommend to everyone". Another said: "Beautiful. Stunning setting, delicious food, sparkling clean and modern spa. It's a grand opulent house but the staff are friendly and welcoming. "
Charlton Hall
Ellingham, Alnwick, NE67 5DZ, 01665 579 173
Description: Praised as a great overall location for sightseeing, recreation, dining and getting around.
Reviews: Reviewers praised clean rooms and beds with comments including "Location is great as it is quiet and peaceful, surroundings are lovely. Room was beautiful, clean. Has great food in the restaurant for dinner and breakfast."
Beadnell Towers
The Wynding, Chathill, Northumberlnd,, NE67 5AY, 01665 721211, www.beadnelltowers.co.uk
Description: A mile from Beadnell Bay, this low-key inn is six miles from both Bamburgh Castle and Bamburgh Beach, and four miles from Farne Islands. It has featured in a list of eight of the best dog-friendly hotels in Britain.
Reviews: "Breakfast was lovely with a good choice of continental and cooked food on offer," said one. Another mentioned delicious food and said: "What a lovely hotel. Room was beautiful and very comfortable. Staff very friendly."
Doxford Hall Hotel and Spa
Chathill, NE67 5DN, 01665 589 700, www.doxfordhall.com
Description: Situated in a country house built in 1818, this sophisticated hotel is 4.2 miles from Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course and 14 miles from Chillingham Castle. It has featured in the Top Five Best Spa Hotels in the North East.
Reviews: Besides praise for having a maze in the grounds, comments included: "Big rooms, comfy beds, good food, helpful staff" and "Dog friendly, bowl, towel and treats in room on arrival!"
Newton Hall
High Newton-by-the-Sea, Alnwick, NE66 3DZ, 0191 933 7409, newton-hall.com
Description: In an elegant Georgian country house, this genteel hotel and event venue is 2.4 miles from Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course and 6.1 miles from Howick Hall Gardens.
Reviews: Comments included "stunning" and "absolutely lovely" One guest said: "Comfy bed, nice bathroom and a well-stocked coffee/tea section."
