Since opening nearly 20 years ago, the Radisson Blu in Durham City Centre has provided the perfect base for guests who are visiting the city for business and pleasure.
Ideally located on the banks of the River Wear, this 200-plus bedroom hotel has become one of the premier leisure establishments in the region.
East Durham Business editor Leanne Fawcett went along to put the facilities, including spa, food and drink and overnight offering, to the test…
As a mam of three who juggles family life with running a business, rest and relaxation is a luxurious, and often rare, commodity.
So when my husband Paul and I are able to have some time just us, we love to make the most of it and have a night away if we can.
Which is exactly what we did on a beautifully sunny weekend at the end of May, when we visited the Radisson Blu in Durham city centre for a much needed break without the kids.
I have become somewhat of a regular to the hotel in recent months, having attended for events, meetings, a photo shoot and a social visit with my friend for treatment and lunch.
But this was the first time I had come for an overnight stay, and after what had been an incredibly busy few months, with my business growing and my husband settling into a new job, it’s fair to say we were ready for it.
After dropping the kids off at their Nanna and Grandad’s, we headed to the hotel.
Radisson Blu Hotel Durham 2024
After checking in and dropping our bags in the room (which also came with a selection of sponge cakes as a welcome treat), we went back downstairs for a drink and to soak up the glorious sunshine.
We were tempted to order a bit of lunch, however, with an evening meal booked in at signature riverside bar and restaurant Jozef’s, we decided to save ourselves and instead got some crisps to snack on.
As the Durham Pride festival was going on that weekend, there was a lively atmosphere, with people coming and going from the hotel and plenty of other people making the most of the mid-afternoon sunshine.
After finishing our drinks, a New Zealand sauvignon blanc for me and a pint of lager for Paul, we then headed to the room to get changed to go to the spa.
On the way, we stopped to fill our bottles up from the water and ice stations that are found on each floor. The machines tell us that they have helped reduce the number of water bottles used by over 17,000, which is pretty impressive and in keeping with the hotel’s commitment to operating in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way.
Given we didn’t have any treatments booked, we settled for a bit of time to relax, making use of the 15-metre swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.
Although I’m on a bit of a fitness kick, I gave the gym a miss on this occasion.
The spa itself is as you would expect from a four-star hotel, however I would say the beds aren’t the comfiest so not ideal if you’re wanting a lie down.
After leaving the spa, we went back to the room to get changed ready for our meal in Jozef’s. And having not eaten properly since lunch, we were definitely looking forward to it.
The restaurant itself is light and bright, with a contemporary feel and tasteful décor. And depending on where you’re seated, it also provides lovely views of the riverside and Durham cathedral and castle.
The menu offers plenty of choice, with starters including soup of the day (carrot and coriander), mature cheddar and ham hock croquette and roasted beetroot salad, with prices ranging from £9.95 to £12.95.
I opted for the chicken liver parfait with crispy sourdough and pickled vegetables, while Paul chose the black putting and crispy belly pork, which was served with a peppercorn sauce and a light salad. He actually did initially order the scallops, however he was told they’d been taken off the menu due to a lack of popularity, though since their removal they have been requested by more people than ever).
My parfait was beautifully smooth, the sourdough had just the right texture, and the pickled vegetables cut through the richness of the dish nicely.
Paul’s belly pork and black pudding combo was a real winner. There was no shortage of meat, while the sauce was rich and flavourful – it could certainly withstand the punchy flavours that came from the black pudding in particular.
We were off to a good start.
Like with starters there is lots to choose from for mains.
‘The Main Event’ dishes include the likes of rosemary and garlic half roast chicken, slow cooked minted lamb shoulder, penne arrabbiata and beer battered haddock and chunky chips. You can expect to pay between £17.95 and £22.95.
‘From the Grill’ provides diners with choices such as chargrilled burger (19.95), sirloin steak (£31.95) and fillet of beef (£34.95).
I went for the duo of pork (£19.95) which was made of slow cooked belly pork, black pudding and a pork bonbon, mustard mashed potato, roasted root vegetables, a roast apple and a cider jus. There was also a shard of crackling which I was delighted about – who doesn’t want crackling with their pork!
While overall I enjoyed the dish, I would say for me personally the mash was quite stodgy and the bonbon had more of a stuffing texture rather than a crispy ball of pork which I had expected.
Paul ordered the medallions of beef (£34.95), which were served with sauteed mushrooms, baby vegetables, dauphinoise potatoes and a peppercorn sauce. There was also a stilton crumb.
Paul was very happy with his choice. The steak was perfectly cooked, while the supporting acts had been given as much love and attention as the main event. Not a bit was left.
Although by this point we were full, we still found room to share a dessert.
While we could have happily chosen sticky toffee pudding or the lemon and lime tart, both priced at £8.95, we picked the chocolate bomb, which was filled with vanilla ice cream, brownie pieces and Oreo crumbs. It also came with a hot salted caramel sauce which provided theatre for the dish – as you pour the sauce over the bomb it melts, leaving you with an oozy, gooey chocolate desert that was simply delicious.
I mean, not great for the waistline but who cares, it was a Saturday night!
After we’d finished our meal, we stayed downstairs in the hotel’s bar to finish our drinks, before we made our way to the room with the anticipation of a night’s sleep without the company of our three-year-old son, who loves nothing more than waking mammy and daddy up at 5am.
The bedrooms themselves are very spacious, with a lovely modern bathroom equipped with a shower and bath. There is also a bar and kitchen area, where you can make a cup of tea or coffee, or something stronger if you fancy it.
The beds are lovely and comfortable, and it didn’t take long before we were both asleep.
Rather predictably, our body clocks dictated that there would be no lie in for us, so we headed down for a nice early breakfast at 7 30am (breakfast is served between 7m and 11am, so if you’re prefer a lie in you can).
Breakfast offers so much choice, including the traditional cooked breakfast, served buffet style, pastries, cereals and fruits, meats, cheeses and smoked salmon.
After getting our drinks, tea for me and coffee for Paul, alongside glasses of fresh orange, we went to get food. I started with a pain au chocolate and cinnamon roll, while Paul picked a selection of meats and cheeses.
We then got ourselves a cooked breakfast, with the likes of sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, mushrooms, hash browns, tomatoes and beans all available. There is also white and brown bread to toast, should you wish to (we did).
After finishing breakfast, we had plenty of time before we were due back to get the kids, so we went out for a lovely four mile walk around the city centre, making the most of the sunny morning and burning off some of the calories we’d just consumed.
It was then back to the hotel to check out.
Our assessment of the Radisson Blu, which underwent a £5m refurbishment in 2024?
It’s a real winner in terms of facilities, location, standard of rooms, rates and quality of food, while the staff are friendly, welcoming and happy to go above and beyond to ensure their guests have the best possible stay at the hotel.
There’s certainly nothing ‘Blu’ about this hotel.