| £1 MILLION REFURBISHMENT FOR HISTORIC SEASIDE HOTEL
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Kent brewer Shepherd Neame is entering the final stage of a £1 million project to refurbish and modernise the Royal Albion, Broadstairs, reviving the glory of its Victorian heyday and creating a top class hotel destination.
The Royal Albion now has a spacious multi-levelled terrace that overlooks the beach, complete with quality furniture, Georgian-look railings and Riviera-style temperate plants, creating the perfect setting for up to 150 guests to dine al fresco.
The entire ground floor has been transformed. Customers now enter the building through a brighter and more inviting reception, redecorated to a stylish, boutique hotel finish, complemented by comfortable seating.
The much-improved interior continues throughout the ground floor, including the bar, dining room and coffee lounge. A high quality restaurant has been created by extending the conservatory.
Looking out over the heart of the historic town, Ballard's coffee lounge transports guests back into a bygone era with its elegant atmosphere, illustrations of historic Broadstairs and stunning crystal chandeliers.
A state-of-the-art kitchen has been installed in the basement, along with three food hoists to deliver meals quickly and efficiently to the dining area above. A new cold cellar, fitted with the latest equipment, maintains beers in pristine condition.
The hotel's accommodation has been revitalised with six of the 19 en suite rooms refurbished to a very high standard, complete with luxury bathroom suites and opulent soft furnishings. Another six rooms will be refurbished by Christmas and all 19 completed by Easter 2010.
"The Royal Albion has always been a famous Broadstairs hotel," said Nigel Bunting, Shepherd Neame's retail director. "We have already enjoyed increased trade as a result of this refurbishment and we believe these improvements have made the Royal Albion one of the best hotels in East Kent."
The Royal Albion Hotel was built in 1760, and occupies an unrivalled position on the seafront, just a few steps from sandy Viking Bay. With the coming of the railways, it became a leading destination for well-heeled Victorians from London.
Charles Dickens was a regular guest - inside there is an original letter from the author on display - and each year the hotel takes part in a festival celebrating his associations with the town.
