Working out what to pack for a dirty weekend is easier than it looks. Most of your time will be spent in the room, at dinner or wandering the city at a gentle pace, so one small bag each is usually plenty. The trick is to bring a few things that feel special and leave behind anything that feels like work.
What does the hotel already provide?
Before you start folding, check what the hotel gives you. Most good hotels supply towels, a hairdryer, basic toiletries and often robes and slippers too. If you're not sure, the booking details or a quick email to the hotel will tell you.
Knowing this saves space in your bag and stops you carrying two of everything. It also means you can pack your own favourites, such as a shampoo you love or a body lotion with a scent your partner likes, without worrying about the basics. If you're arriving at Central Station by train, a soft bag you can carry easily makes the walk to the hotel much nicer.
Something nice to wear, and not for long
This is the fun part. A dirty weekend is a good excuse to bring something you'd never wear on a normal Tuesday night, whether that's silk pyjamas, new underwear or nothing much at all. Choose what makes you feel confident, because that's what your partner will notice most. On a first weekend away together there's no pressure to go all out, and something you feel good in always beats something you feel silly in.
A soft, comfortable layer for lounging is worth packing too. You'll probably spend a good part of Sunday morning in it, eating breakfast and refusing to get dressed.
What do you wear to dinner in Newcastle?
Smart casual works almost everywhere in the city. A nice shirt or top, good jeans or tailored trousers and shoes you can walk in will see you through dinner on Grey Street and a drink on the Quayside afterwards.
If you've booked somewhere a little grander for a special occasion, it's worth dressing up a notch. Getting ready together, or getting ready separately and meeting in the bar downstairs, is a lovely way to start the evening.
Shoes and layers for the Newcastle weather
Newcastle can be breezy, especially by the river and on the coast. A warm jacket that looks good over your dinner outfit saves you from shivering on the walk back across the Millennium Bridge.
If you plan to head to Tynemouth or walk through Jesmond Dene, bring comfortable shoes and a layer you don't mind getting windswept. Our dirty weekend ideas in Newcastle guide has more on what to do when you finally leave the room.
The little things that make a room feel yours
A few small additions can turn a hotel room into your own private retreat. A portable speaker and a playlist you both like set the mood straight away. Bring a long charging cable as well, because the plugs are never where you want them.
Most hotels don't allow real candles, so pack LED ones if you want a soft glow. A sleep mask and earplugs are handy if you're not used to city noise, and they help with the all-important lie-in. If you'd rather not pack any of this, our room styling service can have the room ready before you arrive, within the hotel's house rules.
What about toiletries and grooming?
Keep it simple and travel-sized. A toothbrush, your skincare basics, deodorant and your favourite scent are the essentials. A small bag for anything you'd rather not leave on the bathroom shelf is a good idea too.
If you take any medication, pack enough for the whole weekend plus a little extra, and keep it in your hand luggage. It's also worth bringing plasters for anyone breaking in new shoes.
What can you leave at home?
The laptop is the first thing to leave behind. If you really must bring a work phone, switch the notifications off and leave it in a drawer. This weekend is about the two of you, and nobody ever looks back fondly on the emails they answered in bed.
You can also skip the third outfit option, the hairdryer if the hotel has one, and the alarm. You won't need it, and the late check-out is there for a reason, as long as the hotel can offer it.
Packing for a surprise
If your partner doesn't know where they're going, packing becomes a little trickier. You can pack for them yourself, as long as you know their favourite clothes and toiletries well. Alternatively, give them a few hints, such as "smart for dinner and warm for a walk", and let them pack their own bag.
Either way, don't forget their medication, their phone charger or anything they can't do without. Our guide to planning a surprise weekend away has more tips on keeping the secret until the last minute.
A checklist of what to pack for a dirty weekend
Run through this list the night before you leave. It covers the essentials for a two-night stay in Newcastle.
- Something nice for the evening, plus a comfortable layer for lounging.
- A smart casual outfit for dinner and shoes you can walk in.
- A warm jacket and comfortable shoes for the river or the coast.
- Toiletries, skincare and your favourite scent in travel sizes.
- Any medication, with a little extra in case your plans change.
- A portable speaker, LED candles and a long charging cable.
- A sleep mask and earplugs for the lie-in.
- Your booking details and photo ID, as some hotels ask for it at check-in.