Fallen Angel hotel makes fantasy a reality

Oct 2 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

DREAMS of nights spent in your very own Dr Who-style Tardis or a post-war French hotel may seem far-fetched and unrealistic.

But for North East hotel-goers, a new £2m hotel in Durham now provides these possibilities, and more, in themed rooms.

The Fallen Angel Hotel in Durham City opened last weekend and, its owners claim, is quite unlike anything else in the country.

Among the options for guests is the Cruella de Vil room – based on the character from Disney’s 101 Dalmatians – which has a huge, black, sleigh-shaped bed and a sauna in the bathroom.

There is also a library room – featuring German and American army uniforms – designed to transport guests to Paris at the end of the Second World War.

Guests can also opt for the New York self-catering apartment with a Wurlitzer jukebox, the garden apartment – the floor of which is laid with artificial turf – and a nautical room with curved floors.

The owners of the hotel are John Marshall and his partner Sandra MacDonald, both 52, from Durham city.

“Theatrical is the word I keep coming back to when I’m describing the hotel,” Mr Marshall said. It’s how I imagine a lot of people would like to decorate their homes but because they have to keep the furniture, they play it safe.

“Because we’re a hotel we can be a bit more outrageous.

“People keep saying ‘wow’ when they see it and I’m so relieved, but I will still remain nervous until we settle the business down.”

Mr Marshall predicted a popular choice might be the cinema-themed room.

“You press a button and it reveals a cinema screen from behind a curtain,” he said. “We also have a popcorn machine in there and there’s a gold Rolls-Royce outside which you can sit in and have a glass of champagne.

“There’s also a hot tub on the deck with views out over the River Wear.”

That particular room would set you back in the region of £200-250 a night. Given the luxurious surroundings, the owners expect their hotel be a favourite with people celebrating a special occasion or wanting to treat a partner.

There are views of Durham Cathedral and Castle to the front and the university’s cricket pitch and the beautiful River Wear to the rear of the hotel.

Inside the hotel, there is a nautical themed cafe bistro which is also open to non-residents and the reception area is themed in the style of a Victorian gentlemen’s club.

“As soon as you come into the reception you can see it is a unique place. There are wonderful views across Durham as well,” said Mr Marshall.

The other rooms in the hotel are the railway-themed Edwardian Express, the Victorian boudoir and the Dr Zhivago- inspired Russian Bride room.