After sitting empty for four years, a once popular Isle of Wight hotel is back open — with a new name and new owners at the helm.

The former Auckland House Hotel, on Queens Road, Shanklin, is once again welcoming guests after being taken over earlier this year.

Sisters Wendy Sneddon and Karen Cormack, of Forget Me Not Properties, have "breathed life" back into the iconic building and given it a new name.

"It's called the Fig Tree Hotel", Wendy told the County Press.

Read more: Shanklin hotel for sale again after Carlauren Group collapse

"We've been here a few times and have fallen in love with the Fig Trees in the ground and thought it was the perfect name.

"The Fig Tree feels right."

Isle of Wight County Press: From left: Wendy Sneddon and Karen Cormack, the new owners of The Fig Tree Hotel.From left: Wendy Sneddon and Karen Cormack, the new owners of The Fig Tree Hotel. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)
Isle of Wight County Press: The Fig Tree Hotel.The Fig Tree Hotel. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Karen and Wendy, who were born in Southampton, got into the property market around five or six years ago.

Now living in Scotland, they took on their first hotel there earlier this year.

The Fig Tree is the second hotel under the sisters' ownership.

Wendy said: "We came here for a holiday so when the opportunity came up we jumped at the chance. 

"We fell in love with Shanklin and the Isle of Wight straight away."

The building has sat empty since December 2019, when the Auckland was suddenly closed.

Isle of Wight County Press: The restaurant at the Fig Tree Hotel.The restaurant at the Fig Tree Hotel. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Isle of Wight County Press: The bar at The Fig Tree Hotel, during the launch evening.The bar at The Fig Tree Hotel, during the launch evening. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

It shut following the collapse of parent company the Carlauren group, which also owned the derelict Ocean Hotel on Sandown seafront.

At the time, 64 staff were made redundant across the business, including 20 at the Auckland.

Nobody who lost their jobs at the time have reapplied for the Fig Tree, but that's not to say they wouldn't be welcomed back should they apply, Wendy said.

Currently five people have been employed for the winter months and more staff will be taken on over the summer.

Isle of Wight County Press: Seating area outside The Fig Tree Hotel.Seating area outside The Fig Tree Hotel. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)
Isle of Wight County Press: A bedroom at The Fig Tree Hotel.A bedroom at The Fig Tree Hotel. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

The restaurant is yet to get up and running but when it does, it, like the bar, will be open to the public. The pair are looking for someone to run it as their own business.

After purchasing the building in July, Karen and Wendy said they spent six weeks bringing it up to standard.

The hotel, which is also dog-friendly, got its alcohol licence last week and a launch night was held last night (Tuesday).

The Fig Tree is open to guests now.