In County Durham, just half an hour from Sunderland, is the beautiful old country hall now converted into a hotel: Hardwick Hall. This award-winning hotel is situated within Hardwick Country Park. The park was refurbished in 1999 at a cost of £4.1 million granted by the heritage lottery fund. This allowed the park to be restored, with many of the buildings, such as the temple of Minerva, restored to the beauty enjoyed in the 18th century.

Seaham Hall is a hotel like no other. The hall itself is a Georgian Country House with its own rich history, boasting the Pride of Britain Hotel status; a body of fifty outstanding independent hotels nationwide, which are run by the most dedicated teams.

The Roker Hotel offers wonderful views of Roker pier and beach, with easy access to Sunderland city centre via car or Metro. It is a fantastic choice for any visitor to the city. The hotel is well-established and popular in Sunderland and has a dedicated following amongst locals and visitors who return time and time again due to their positive experience.

In the Beamish Valley, an area of incredible beauty, you will be able to find the amazing South Causey Inn. Easily described as a luxury experience, South Causey Inn is one of the best places to stay in County Durham.

In the deceptively rural setting of the Flass Vale, but still near central Durham with its historic attractions, you can find The Kingslodge Inn – which blows away any unappealing associations with city centre hotels.

Situated in beautiful Teesdale, High Force Hotel is in a picturesque spot surrounded by the beauty of County Durham’s rolling green hills and luscious scenery.

Situated behind Central Station in the Stephenson Quarter, you will be able to find the Crown Plaza Hotel. The Stephenson Quarter is named for George and Robert Stephenson, the famous father and son inventors who built the Rocket Steam engine and designed many of Britain’s railways.

Jesmond Dene House can be found in the fantastic Victorian pleasure park of Jesmond Dene. The hotel itself is independent of any larger chains and so the quality of the experience that you have is down to the owners, staff and their expression of the North East of England’s hospitality.

When it comes to central Newcastle, you cannot get more central than Motel One in the heart of the city centre. Motel One’s building has been refurbished into a modern affordable hotel with all that one would expect for a comfortable night in the city centre.