Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County
words/images (c) Gilly Pickup
Location: Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3JN
Overlooking the River Wear, part of this hotel dates back to the 17th century. It is a stone’s throw from Durham’s glorious cathedral and castle and a ten or fifteen minute walk from the railway station, depending on how quickly you walk.
Overlooking the River Wear, part of this hotel dates back to the 17th century. It is a stone’s throw from Durham’s glorious cathedral and castle and a ten or fifteen minute walk from the railway station, depending on how quickly you walk.
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Comfort: Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, desks, comfy chairs, a liberal scattering of cushions and plenty of storage space. Wi-Fi is free in the posher rooms and reception area. Suites include separate living rooms with sofa beds and additional TVs. I was fortunate enough to be upgraded and my lovely, huge room, fettled with style, had a four poster bed that was big enough to hold a party in. Some rooms offer views of the city centre while from others guests can see the Cathedral and Castle. Everything is exemplary – it all works and - important to me though not to everyone - I could make a cup of tea first thing in the morning. After that I was pummelled awake by an excellent shower. 24 hour room service is offered for those who want it.
Comfort: Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, desks, comfy chairs, a liberal scattering of cushions and plenty of storage space. Wi-Fi is free in the posher rooms and reception area. Suites include separate living rooms with sofa beds and additional TVs. I was fortunate enough to be upgraded and my lovely, huge room, fettled with style, had a four poster bed that was big enough to hold a party in. Some rooms offer views of the city centre while from others guests can see the Cathedral and Castle. Everything is exemplary – it all works and - important to me though not to everyone - I could make a cup of tea first thing in the morning. After that I was pummelled awake by an excellent shower. 24 hour room service is offered for those who want it.
Sampling the Fare: Dining options include Bar 1815, the place to relax with light bites and cocktails, or if the weather’s fine, you can sit on the Terrace. British fare is served at the more traditional No 59 Elvet Restaurant. There is also an on site Starbucks.
What’s on the menus? Well, the bar menu includes today's typically trendy-type eats such as bacon, brie and chicken on a focaccia roll with slaw and chips for £8; smoked salmon fishcakes with spinach and chive butter sauce for £13 and quinoa salad on rye, broad beans and butternut squash,croutons, sesame seeds and dressing which costs £11.50.
59 Old Elvet restaurant offers starters including beetroot gravadlax with sour cream and mustard sauce at £10.50 and oven baked Portabello mushrooms, with wild boar, apple and chestnut stuffing for £9.50. Fish loving folks might opt for the Szechuan and soya glazed mackerel fillet with vegetable and egg noodle stir fry for £13. Side dishes are plentiful and cost an extra £3.50. For piggy eaters or those who feel they haven’t eaten properly unless they have a dessert, the menu offers possets and crumbles and puddings and pies and a rather cheeky whisky cranachan which although it called out to me, I managed to avoid. Maybe next time. All of these cost £6.50.
Anything Else? Yes, there is an indoor pool, gym and spa, plus meeting space and a business centre.
Extra marks for: The staff. All of those I came in contact with were genuinely friendly. That's what I like about northerners.
all images (c) Gilly Pickup
Durham feature here
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What’s on the menus? Well, the bar menu includes today's typically trendy-type eats such as bacon, brie and chicken on a focaccia roll with slaw and chips for £8; smoked salmon fishcakes with spinach and chive butter sauce for £13 and quinoa salad on rye, broad beans and butternut squash,croutons, sesame seeds and dressing which costs £11.50.
59 Old Elvet restaurant offers starters including beetroot gravadlax with sour cream and mustard sauce at £10.50 and oven baked Portabello mushrooms, with wild boar, apple and chestnut stuffing for £9.50. Fish loving folks might opt for the Szechuan and soya glazed mackerel fillet with vegetable and egg noodle stir fry for £13. Side dishes are plentiful and cost an extra £3.50. For piggy eaters or those who feel they haven’t eaten properly unless they have a dessert, the menu offers possets and crumbles and puddings and pies and a rather cheeky whisky cranachan which although it called out to me, I managed to avoid. Maybe next time. All of these cost £6.50.
Anything Else? Yes, there is an indoor pool, gym and spa, plus meeting space and a business centre.
Extra marks for: The staff. All of those I came in contact with were genuinely friendly. That's what I like about northerners.
all images (c) Gilly Pickup
Durham feature here
Return to features index here