Hotel Indigo Durham

Hotel Indigo Durham, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently earns high praise for its blend of historical charm, modern luxury, and exceptional service in the heart of Durham.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Hotel Indigo Durham garners an "Exceptional" overall rating of 9.1 on platforms like Agoda and Booking.com, reflecting a consistently positive guest sentiment. Guests frequently laud the hotel for exceeding expectations and providing memorable stays, highlighting the stunning building, comfortable rooms, and unbeatable location.

2. Key Highlights

Guests frequently highlight several aspects that make Hotel Indigo Durham stand out:

• Design & Architecture: Housed in the beautifully restored Old Shire Hall, a Grade II listed Victorian building, the hotel boasts a "Wow factor" with its stunning architecture. It seamlessly blends historic features with modern furnishings and a luxurious, unique concept.
• Location: The hotel enjoys a prime, central location, rated 9.5, just below Durham Castle and Cathedral. It's a short stroll to the city centre, River Wear, shops, bars, and restaurants, making it an excellent base for exploring the city.
• Service: The staff consistently receives exceptional feedback (rated 9.0 for staff performance), described as warm, friendly, welcoming, polite, and attentive. Many guests note that staff go above and beyond to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
• Cleanliness: With a remarkable cleanliness rating of 9.4, guests can expect immaculate and well-maintained rooms, with housekeeping ensuring every corner is spotless.
• Amenities: The hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi, a car park (for a fee), a 24-hour front desk, a fitness center, and on-site dining options including a restaurant and bar.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Hotel Indigo Durham are consistently described as lovely, very comfortable, stylish, and authentic.

• Design and Comfort: Rooms feature a modern design with thoughtful historical references, incorporating local themes such as academia, Durham Cathedral, or the Durham Boat Regatta through artwork and artefacts. Guests appreciate the excellent comfort, spaciousness, and large, comfortable beds with numerous pillows.
• Bathroom Facilities: Bathrooms are often highlighted as a favourite feature, frequently offering large rain showers and oversized basins. Luxurious Old Elvet Durham toiletries, inspired by local history, are provided, along with bathrobes and Nespresso coffee machines. Some premium rooms may even feature freestanding copper bathtubs. Rooms also include amenities like mini-fridges, inbuilt Chromecast on TVs, heated towel racks, and light-up closets.
• Family Options: While the hotel does not have dedicated family rooms, interconnecting rooms are available, providing a practical solution for families. Guests travelling with young children might consider requesting a room with a bath, as not all rooms include one.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Hotel Indigo Durham is a significant draw:

• Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill: The on-site Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill serves upscale English favourites, French classics, and signature steaks in the stunning setting of the former council debating chamber, under an impressive rotunda. The food consistently receives high praise for its quality and taste.
• Breakfast: Breakfast is described as delicious, freshly prepared, with a great choice, and good value. A buffet breakfast is available for a fee, typically around £20 per person.
• Bars & Cafes: The hotel also features the Rotunda Cocktail Bar and the Tinderbox Coffee Shop, both offering a relaxing atmosphere. The coffee shop is a popular spot, even for non-residents.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Hotel Indigo Durham are a consistent highlight, with a staff performance rating of 9.0. Guests frequently describe the team as exceptional, warm, friendly, welcoming, and extremely pleasant. Staff are noted for their helpfulness, courteousness, and willingness to go above and beyond, with particular praise for the warmth and efficiency of the reception staff.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is a major asset, earning a high rating of 9.5.

• Central & Convenient: Situated in a vibrant, central area, the hotel is ideal for exploring Durham's key attractions.
• Nearby Attractions: It's located just beneath Durham Castle and Cathedral, and a short walk to the city centre, Durham Indoor Market, St. Nicholas Church, Palace Green, and the River Wear. Shopping and dining streets are also easily accessible.
• Transport: The hotel is well-placed for public transport, being approximately 920 meters from public transportation and a 10-minute walk from Durham Bus Station. It also offers an on-site car park for GBP 20.00 per day.

7. Value & Pricing

Hotel Indigo Durham is often considered an "affordable luxury option". While its average room price of around $204 is higher than Durham's average of $158, guests generally feel it offers excellent value for the quality and experience provided. Room rates can vary from $82 to $344 per night, depending on the room type and specific dates. For potential savings, guests might consider booking in March or on a Thursday, which are typically the cheapest times to stay.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring minor issues and criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Room Lighting: A few guests have mentioned that the lighting in the bedrooms can be dim, with a lack of overhead lighting or lights over mirrors.
• Lack of Bathtubs: Not all rooms include a bathtub, which might be a consideration for families or those who prefer baths. Some rooms do have luxurious Victorian-style tubs, so requesting one is advisable if desired.
• Maintenance Issues: Isolated reports of automatic Velux window blind controllers not working due to missing batteries have occurred.
• Breakfast Crowds: Breakfast can sometimes be very busy, leading to waiting times.
• Coffee Shop Temperature: The Tinderbox Coffee Shop, while popular, can be cold near the outside doors on chilly days.
• Noise: One review mentioned some noise from the corridors.
• Initial "Teething Problems": Some early reviews mentioned minor issues upon the hotel's opening (e.g., a door not locking), but these were generally resolved swiftly and professionally by the staff.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. booking.com
3. frommilestosmiles.com
4. baldhiker.com
5. booking.com
6. michelin.com
7. newgirlintoon.co.uk
8. expedia.co.uk
9. hotelindigo.com
10. hotelscombined.com
11. momondo.com
12. travellovingfamily.com
13. lifeingeordieland.com