Overview

What a fantastic find The Cookie Jar is. This hotel is right in the heart of Alnwick, it has 11 carefully curated rooms, including one, Goswick, specifically designed for guests with accessibility needs (although others can also accommodate disabled guests, depending on their requirements). I rely on a large electric wheelchair- which I’m not great at driving… I also have some limited ability to stand and walk. I loved that the room and bathroom didn’t scream ‘accessible’ in that ‘hospital’ way. It was large and airy, with a full wet room, shower stool, safety rails and pull cord. But it was all beautifully decorated, snug, comfortable, and very luxurious (with Penhaligon toiletries and a jar of freshly baked cookies!). We dined in the bistro and it was a fabulous experience. Fantastic food and drink in a relaxed and beautiful setting, paired with exemplary friendly service, we had a wonderful night. Everyone at the Cookie Jar was fantastic, and so friendly. They treated me with dignity and made me feel completely ’normal’ - something not always afforded to me. I greatly appreciated it. Special mention to young Caitlin - what a wonderful, personable young woman you are - I hope you had a terrific 17th birthday! Plus the unflappable Lee - I’m sorry about the paintwork I knocked off - I did warn you that I wasn’t totally in control of my wheelchair! The Cookie Jar is a treat and a luxury and it is well worth saving up for. We will be back. If they’ll have us! 😆

Transport & Parking

We drove to Alnwick, it’s only a 40 minute drive from our home near Newcastle. There is ample free parking outside the hotel.

Access

There is a ramp to the hotel entrance. No steps, but there are some tight turns off the ramp into the hotel. There is a small lift in the hotel to all floors. I just managed to fit in it with my large electric wheelchair. There is plenty of seating in the public areas of the hotel, both round reception and in the day room. There is also an accessible toilet on the ground floor near reception, along with a separate able-bodied toilet. I didn’t notice alternate communication formats as I don’t need these, so can’t comment on their availability. I was consulted on a tailored emergency evacuation plan when we checked in, and there was an evac chair in our room.

Toilets

There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor near reception, along with a separate able-bodied toilet. The accessible toilet was large and very clean, with grab rails and a red cord.

Staff

I can’t praise the staff enough. They are so friendly and helpful, it really added to our stay. I really felt that we had made friends there. It feels unfair to single any of them out, but there are a couple of outstanding younger members of staff whose dedication shone through. Caitlin especially is an up and coming star - only just 17 but she’s already got her eyes on a future in the leisure industry and I’m sure she’ll go far. Lee oversees everything in a calm, unflappable friendly way. She was totally unfazed by my bashing up her lovely building with my chair. She made me feel special in all the right ways and I left feeling treasured.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

I would visit again in a heartbeat. Not to drone on too much about me, but I’m only just getting out and about after a spell of bad depression, and am trying to build my confidence now I’m in a wheelchair. The Cookie Jar was a huge boost to me. They made me feel great, plus they fed us til we were fit to burst, then gave us a huge, comfortable bed to sleep it all off in. We had a fantastic time!