New boutique hotel in Alnwick opens this weekend

One of the bedrooms. All the bedrooms have locally-inspired names, including St Cuthberts Cave, Linhope Spout and Holy Island. Picture by Jane Coltman

The Cookie Jar, which features 11 luxury bedrooms, will welcome its first guests today.

It comes after an extensive renovation at the ex-St Mary’s Convent, on Bailiffgate, and proprietor Debbie Cook is excited to open the doors.

A sofa at The Cookie Jar, which is opening on Saturday following a major renovation of the former St Marys Convent.
Picture by Jane Coltman — A sofa at The Cookie Jar, which is opening on Saturday following a major renovation of the former St Marys Convent. Picture by Jane Coltman

As well as welcoming its first guests, the hotel will open to the general public from noon today, where it will serve coffee and afternoon tea. A full bar will also be available.

The venue’s restaurant – The Bailiffgate Bistro – will open in spring 2018, but in the meantime, The Cookie Jar will be serving small-plate snacks between noon and 8pm, starting from Monday. Morning coffee and afternoon tea will also be served daily.

It is also taking bookings for private parties and celebrations, along with hosting its own themed wine and spirit dinners throughout winter.

During the opening weekend, hotel staff will be conducting show rounds of the property.

Part of the garden.
Picture by Jane Coltman — Part of the garden. Picture by Jane Coltman

Debbie, along with hotel manager Mick Holland and his team of staff, will be there today to welcome the first guests,

She said: “It’s been a long year since we first set eyes on the former convent with a view to converting it into a boutique hotel and we are delighted with the outcome.

“We look forward to welcoming people through the door and hope they enjoy The Cookie Jar – our cosy retreat on the doorstep of the castle.

“The level of interest and advanced bookings have been great and very rewarding; we are opening with a strong level of business on the books.

Have a soak and unwind in one of the venues plush en-suite bathrooms, with a roll-top bath and walk-in shower. Picture by Jane Coltman

“I must also thank everyone who has supported us, both the various local companies involved in the conversion and also the local professional services who, without exception, have been fantastic. LEADER has also supported our project.”

For more information, call 07872 901272, email [email protected] or visit www.cookiejaralnwick.com