Funky Monk offers an unorthodox staycation
It’s not often you see artworks depicting a man of the cloth disco dancing, boxing and driving a Ferrari – but The Funky Monk is certainly an unorthodox addition to the staycation market. Housed in a prime location in the shadow of Durham City’s railway viaduct, the five serviced apartments are the latest investment by Ramside Estates, who are already a popular choice for overnight stays at their other ventures: Ramside Hall, Hardwick Hall Hotel, The Impeccable Pig and Bowburn Hall Hotel.
Much like their rooms at the Ramside treehouses and the quirky Impeccable Pig in Sedgefield, The Funky Monk is bringing something different to Durham.
Specially-commissioned artworks feature the titular Funky Monk, aka the fictional Brother John, as he makes a habit of leading a debaucherous life – and that Devilish sense of fun flows through the site.
The creation of the serviced apartments, which are ideal for a city break, has seen a major transformation of former residential flats at 1 Victoria Terrace, the gable end property in a row of handsome Edwardian townhouses that run parallel to Wharton Park – and operations manager at Ramside Estates, Charlie Eedle, says they’ve already got people talking.
"As with the treehouses, we wanted to bring something different to the area, and for these apartments, we took inspiration from Durham’s tradition of monks and had some fun with it,” he said.
"It’s really grabbed people’s attention and we’ve already had a lot of bookings. The style and the quality of the furnishings means it’s really sold itself.
“Durham is undergoing mas
sive growth with all the investment along the riverside and we really noticed a gap in the market for high-end serviced apartments. People want the quality of a luxury hotel, but with more space.”
There are five apartments in total: three one-beds called The Bashing Bishop, The Temple of Funk and Brother John’s Boudoir; one two-bed called The Friar’s Nook and a penthouse threebedroom apartment called The Cloister.
However, each also has a sofa bed meaning they could sleep up to four, six or eight people.
State-of-the-art living rooms with huge LG smart TVs and kitchenettes, complete with dishwashers, washing machines and kitchen appliances, feature in all the apartments. As do super kingsize beds of biblical proportions.
The bathrooms include copper baths, walk-in showers complete with gold Funky Monk logos and Elemis toiletries.
The two ground-floor apartments, The Friar’s Nook and The
Bashing Bishop, have private hot tubs, whilst the latter also has its own sauna.
The imaginative decor makes for a hugely-atmospheric stay, which starts as soon as you walk into the ecclesiastical-themed hallway which plays funk tunes on a loop underneath its glittering disco ball.
Each apartment has its own colour scheme, from the muted yellow and wood panelling detailing of Brother John’s Boudoir to the bare brick walls and inky blue colour palette of The Bashing Bishop.
There are plenty of talking point artworks, including the aforementioned Brother John pieces, which are dotted about the building, to sculptural pieces and richly-detailed cushions.
Off-peak prices for a one-bed apartment start from £250 a night. More information at www. thefunkymonk.co.uk
Imaginative decor makes a hugely-atmospheric stay