Hotel du Vin - Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne

Whether you're booked into the standard double or the swanky Mouton Rothchild suite of the Hotel du Vin Newcastle, the group's inimitable style, sort of clubby leather against exposed brick with a sprinkling of luxury thrown in, is evident. The north east branch of this upmarket, wine-loving chain is housed within the former Tyne Tees Steam Shipping Company in Ouseburn, once a decaying reminder of post-industrial Newcastle now a re-energised thriving, super trendy arty part of the city. A nautical theme reflects the building's history in the bedrooms and common areas and some of the views over the Tyne are truly spectacular. Head down to the glass and brick dominated restaurant for a French bistro style dining experience (onion soup, Normandy chicken and tarte tatin is a typical three course treat) surrounded by the cool, glam Newcastle crowd. And the city centre is only about a mile down the road, to boot.