Beadnell Towers Hotel, including The Towers Kitchen, Hotspur Bar and outdoor terrace, opened its doors in June 2019 following an 18-month refurbishment and a £3m investment. We caught up with deputy manager, Joann Mailer, to find out her luxe things in life…
LUXE PEOPLE >>
My husband and partner in crime, Peter. Two grown up step-children, Beccy and Chris.
LUXE PLACES >>
For a weekend > Dryburgh Abbey, near Jedburgh. We were snowed in there one New Year and the only guests in the hotel – the service was amazing!
A long weekend > Annecy just outside of Geneva. My ‘happy place’ and where I hope we end up.
A treat > The Devonshire Arms in Skipton for good food and fabulous treatments.
LUXE RELAX >>
Favourite food > Chicken Fricasse made by my husband.
Best wine > A bottle of well chilled Gavi de Gavi.
Favourite restaurant > Riley’s Fish Shack in Tynemouth – simple and unpretentious.
Perfect weekend > A walk to St. Cuthbert’s Cave, which is only about six miles from home, followed by a couple of early drinks in our local pub, The Black Swan. Then home for some of that lovely Fricasse and Gavi with Peter.
Downtime means > A chance to get outside. I’ve been trying to cultivate our riverside garden for two years, but we’re getting there.
Best telly > Anything involving a murder. Midsomer especially or Vera for the local scenery.
Best theatre > I’m not a theatre goer – more of a museum visitor. The Hancock is fabulous.
Best book > Again, murder. Val McDermid and her Wire in The Blood series are especially consuming.
Best sounds > I’m an 80s girl, from pop to trance – I love a bit of Robert Miles.
LUXE SHOP >>
Best shopping city > Has to be Newcastle.
Favourite shop > Gray’s of Warkworth has the best handbags and costume jewellery.
Luxe retail treat > Any toiletries from L’Occitane.
Best buy > My Alfa Romeo 147.
LUXE PARTY >>
Perfect party > On the Quayside of Newcastle with Peter before going to a Status Quo concert with the kids for his 60th Birthday.
Perfect party > An unplanned one.
Best dress > My stepdaughter Beccy bought me a LBD two Christmases ago – fits every occasion.
Dinner date > It may be a cliché, but I’d love to hear what the Queen REALLY thinks!
YOUR LUXE THINGS IN LIFE >>
Again, my Alfa (on the road to Annecy).