New themed hotel is heaven sent

The curtain has risen on an opulent oasis of luxury and intimacy, brimming with imagination, fabulous furnishings and fun, which is simply beyond compare when it comes to British hotels. The Fallen Angel, in the heart of the historic city of Durham, in England’s north east, has raised the bar when it comes to luxury, to deliver a visitor experience taking theming to a whole new level.

This ten-bedroomed, heaven-sent haunt is the result of £2 million of investment, with every penny being spent with the intention of allowing guests to explore a myriad of moods, fantasies and dreams.

Every piece of furniture, yard of material and roll of wallpaper has been selected to suit an individual theme around which each room revolves. Everything has come under the microscope, with an amazing degree of attention to detail that has filtered down as far as the selection of handles for chests of drawers and light switches for the walls.

The Fallen Angel is small, exclusive and extravagant. Some of its rooms are theatrical; some simply quirky; others breathtakingly romantic. Nostalgia, passion, emotion and drama intertwine to give this hotel an indescribable personality that oozes from every keyhole.

At the hub is the Jules Verne themed reception area, from which guests embark on their own individual journeys, according to room selection. This area leads to the nautically themed beach café bistro, where they can share a breakfast-time camaraderie emanating from having been one of the lucky travellers who’ve indulged themselves at the Fallen Angel.

Choosing the room might be a difficult choice at first, but guests are likely to return time and again, until they’ve firmly fixed in their mind just which experience was the most awesome.

Choice number one will be whether to plump for one of three secluded garden apartment suites that each come with their own private hot tub, or whether to stay in one of the fabulous rooms within the converted Grade II listed townhouse.

Themes for the garden apartments are Le Jardin, Sci-Fi and Premiere, these focusing on gardening and outdoor life, space and time travel, and a night at the movies, respectively.

Inside the house, the themes are the Library, the Edwardian Express, Le Boudoir, Cruella, The Cruise, New York and the Russian Bride. The Library, The Cruise and Edwardian Express are double bedrooms, whilst New York is a one-bedroomed, self-catering apartment. Cruella and Le Boudoir are junior suites, whilst the Russian Bride is a fabulous, top floor penthouse suite.

If making a decision is still too tough, prospective guests might want to focus on whether they fancy a sauna in their room, or a soak in a silver or roll-top bath. Perhaps the thought of indulging themselves with an aromatherapy shower might swing it, or maybe sitting on a vintage, leather ottoman might push the right buttons. All rooms are air-conditioned and the Library is fully disabled friendly, with a walk-in shower.

The individuality of the Fallen Angel is in complete contrast to the visitor experience delivered by homogenous hotel chains. Guests are expected to flock to Durham to discover a world of luxury, illusion and make-believe that is in sharp contrast to stress-filled lifestyles, or life in suburbia.

The beach themed bistro will also serve non-residents, providing the perfect venue for ladies who lunch, legal professionals visiting the County or Magistrates Court close at hand, or executives wanting to wind down with a frosted glass of champagne after work.

The view from the Fallen Angel is as magnificent as the décor within it. From the front, guests are rewarded with sightings of the World Heritage Site of Cathedral and Castle, whilst at the rear, scenic views of the beautiful River Wear, University cricket pitch and old racecourse are equally as pleasing.

The creators of this heavenly hotel, John Marshall and Sandra MacDonald, believe they have provided guests with the opportunity to turn dreams into reality the moment they arrive through the door. As Jules Verne said: "Anything one man can imagine, other men can make real".

The tariff, per room per night, is as follows:

Cruise £150
Edwardian Express £150
The Library £200
Sci Fi garden apartment £225
Le Boudoir £250
Cruella £250
The Premiere garden apartment £250
Le Jardin garden apartment £250
New York apartment £200
Russian Bride penthouse suite £300

These prices include full English breakfast other than in the case of the New York self-catering apartment.

Reservations can be made by booking online at Fallenangelhotel.com.

The Fallen Angel is located at 34 Old Elvet, Durham, opposite Durham Crown Court. A plentiful supply of metered parking is available just across the street and the pedestrianised centre of Durham is just a short walk away.