A popular Isle of Wight seaside hotel has been born anew – completely transformed after undergoing a major renovation to turn it into a cosy, boutique retreat.
The Albion Hotel, in Freshwater Bay, has benefitted from a £6 million refurbishment.
The 40-bedroom site has been restored, transformed, and modernised, while still paying homage to its Victorian origins.
David and Liz Walker of A2K leisure bought the hotel 18-months ago, and Gayle and Mark Craven of the award-winning Sentry Mead in Totland are at the helm, showcasing their hospitality expertise.
The building, which dates back to the 1700s, opened its doors to the public once again on June 27.
Almost all of its 40 rooms, which are spread across three floors, boast a beach or coastal view and have a balcony or shared terrace, and one of its ground floor rooms is fully accessible.
The interiors have been decorated in a “Victorian chic style”, using coastal colours in keeping with its surroundings, and it is understood to be the first Isle of Wight hotel to be fully air conditioned throughout.
The hotel also boasts the new, 120-cover restaurant, The Rock, which has a dog-friendly area and a private dining room with its own terrace, all under the culinary direction of head chef, Adam Wells, who trained with Marco Pierre White and Tom Kerridge.
The refurbishment itself involved 18,500 man-days by local tradesmen, and all those who started the project finished together.
Already, the hotel has employed 53 members of staff, and is aiming to employ around 12 more.
Among those to stay in one of its two master suites was television personality, Jason Fox.
Directors Mark and Gayle came to the Isle of Wight in 2021, taking on the award-winning, nine-bedroom guesthouse Sentry Mead.
They moved from a little village outside Wigan and had never been to the Island before.
“We were blown away when we came here,” said Mark.
“I would never live anywhere else now.
“We were sat just outside the hotel, thinking what a real shame, thinking it was derelict.
“Someone told us it was open, so I walked in, spoke to owners and asked them if they would be interested in selling.
“It’s a gorgeous place in the perfect location.
“We wanted to bring the outside in all the time, so everything we do is about the view. You can hear the sea, wherever you are.
“We started the refurb, thought we’d do a really quick turnaround, then we realised it was a much bigger project.
“Originally, we said we’d turn it around and open for summer last year.
“We quickly realised we needed to extend the restaurant, the bar needed so much work, and every wall was falling down, so we decided we would do more with it.
“It’s had a complete new rewire, every bit of plumbing is new, and we’ve kept every original feature we possibly could.
“It’s beyond what we envisioned.”
The hotel is open to non-guests for food and drink.
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