Funky Monk, Restaurant and Rooms — Restaurant in Epping Forest

PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING

WORST STAY IVE EVER HAD

Me and my wife stayed here for her 40th. (what a mistake this was) hotel looks nice on website. We arrived late as we were in London for the day. When we got there (about 7pm) we were told to sit down someone would be over. 10 mins latter a bar man came over with our room key and the card machine with the full stay amount plus more to put on my card. Which I thought was abit weird. I've never had to pay full stay before I've actually stayed. But I guess this would become apparent as to why latter. We went down for dinner they had music on in restaurant which was very loud and you could hardly hear yourself talk to eachother. Food was ok not great. Half way through dinner a singer came on for the night and this was just stupidly loud couldn't even talk to each other. When we went up to our room which was ok. The noise was just unreal like we were above a night club. We called down to speak to manager obviously no one could hear us over the music. This went on till just gone midnight (worst stay I've ever had. And one of most expensive) I went down to speak to manager and said I'd like a refund we were leaving. He said he couldn't give a refund and to talk in morning. We came down first thing in morning obviously no manager about to talk to. Complete cowards and scared of the confrontation. They had left the young waiting staff to deal with it who wanted the rest of the bill paid for the food we had. Which I was willing to pay as we ate it (we didn't enjoy there eve entertainment) any way we managed to get the owner on the phone who was rude and Def has no customer service skills. Wasn't prepared to give any refund bar the 130 pound champagne in room we didn't drink but was still reluctant to refund this. We were told to pay the bill and leave and we would get a refund latter. I had to call them again 10 days latter to be told I get a call back in an hour which I didn't obviously. She calls me another 2 days latter asking for bank details for a refund. Um no youve had long enough. I'm gonna dispute the full payment with the bank. Id rather have it all...

Had a table at 7pm for 2 people in the restaurant for dinner and to see the singer/ dj. We only had starters at the time but whilst watching the singer we was still ordering lots of drinks (£200 plus) from 8:30pm ish, one of the staff members then repeatedly asked us to move off the table (when booking, we wasn’t told about a time limit on the table) my cousin got her birthday cake from the restaurant and whilst she was eating this, we got asked to move AGAIN. The staff member then said they needed the table back to make room for people to dance for the dj (we was a table of 2 at the back of the restaurant ) we then got told we could wait in the bar area which we did. We was then rushed to pay the bill. The bar area was busy and we felt like we were just waiting whilst everyone else in the restaurant was about to stay and enjoy the entertainment. When the dj had started we went back in the restaurant room and our table was still there, in the same place, unoccupied. And everyone was still at there tables! We both felt so rushed and uncomfortable. The staff member was very pushy and made us feel singled out. I have emailed about this 2 times and called 3/4 times… no response. Over the phone a manager keeps saying they will call me back but never have. I don’t want any free from this, that is not why I am doing it. I just genuinely want to know why this happened but no one seems bothered or helpful....

If you don't like talking to the people you come out with then this is the place for you! If you enjoy a nice conversation with your meal then avoid...

The volume in here was so loud, it was a Saturday evening so we knew there would be entertainment but it was still during dinner service. We were in a large group seated round a large table, you could only hear the person next to you. It was deafening and ruined our meal.

Food orders were slow, drinks were reasonably quick. The prices are pricey, I know you're paying for atmosphere/location but you would expect something semi decent for £30 (rough price of a main course) I ordered the 'rack' of lamb. It came overcooked, and there were only 2 tiny pieces, accompanied by a small square of dauphinous & some raw green beans. I was not even remotely full & the taste wasn't even enough to compensate for the size.

The staff were polite and friendly, I assume they get given Earplugs to work here? As I don't know how they can hear a thing. Music was varied and the singer played hits from between 2000-present.

Would not come back out of choice. Only reason this isn't a 1 star review is because the staff were nice and the decor of the restaurant was pleasant.

£100 for 2 people and we had to stop for a snack on the way home because we left hungry... not the best way to spend my...