Sophie Campbell reviews the Malmaison in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which has arguably the best location in town.
The location
Arguably the best in the city: in the former Co-Op building, a grand edifice of pale stone to which they have added an Art Nouveau canopy. It's a blink from the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, a spit from the River Tyne and 15 minutes' walk from the shops and sights of the city centre.

We like
Dynamite views and charming front-of-house: Rachel on reception gets a mention in dispatches for dealing efficiently with my lost reservation – humph – when I arrived at 10pm.

Not so keen
Who, with these dazzling views, would squander the precious northern light with a colour scheme of black, grey, plum and shiitake mushroom? It's like waking up under a table after a night's clubbing. They forgot my early alarm call, double humph. Also, £10 is hefty for 24 hours' wireless access.

The food and drink
The Brasserie used to overlook the river – logical, you might think – but has been swapped with the Mal Bar in shades of soot, ash and charcoal. Quite jolly for Goths, and you can just make out festive silver bar stools in the gloom.

The Brasserie (exposed brick, rather battered black tables under the table cloths and some larky plum-and-mulberry plush settles) has a good-value, no-nonsense Frenglish menu with a strong Northumberland bias and a two-course à- la-carte dinner for £19.95 Monday-Thursday.

My breakfast boiled eggs were perfect – always a good test.





Author: ZheJiang QiangSheng Furniture Co., Ltd.
website:www.zjqiangsheng.com
main product: bar stools