A £500,000 upgrade to one of North Somerset’s most prestigious hotels is nearing completion, with the promise of more major improvements in the future.
DoubleTree by Hilton, Cadbury House in Congresbury has undergone a large transformation since last summer to improve the experience for guests and diners.
The venue’s Great Room has been given a complete makeover, however the iconic rock formation at the far end remains.
The conference rooms and suites have also been upgraded to ensure the most modern technology is available for businesses.
The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill has undergone changes too, increasing the number of covers it can deal with.
Speaking at a presentation and tour event, hotel manager Colin Badcock said: “We are one of the biggest employers in the region so its about sustainability and also giving something back to customers.”
The venue was built in the 18th century and transformed into a prep school in the 20th century.
However the modern Cadbury House came into its own in 2003 when 72 rooms were built, although now there are about 130 bedrooms.
Mr Badcock said: “Cadbury House has gained an enviable reputation for being the best venue in the region for weddings, conferences and meetings.
“For that very reason the Great Room and other areas of the house needed an upgrade.
“The work will now ensure the venue continues to offer the best combination of style and space to reflect the trends in what is a fast-paced hospitality sector.
“During the downturn people organising wedding parties or business meetings were understandably keeping a tight rein on costs and were booking smaller and more intimate venues.
“Our success has also gone hand in hand with the much improved economy, with Bristol and the surrounding area becoming a top destination attracting people from across the UK and abroad.
“This has driven intense competition in the hospitality sector and means we’ve had to raise our game in order to attract custom.”
Complacency though is certainly not a problem at the hotel, which recently changed ownership, with Nick Taplin and his Black & White Hospitality firm completing the deal last month.
Plans to bring about further improvements are already in place, including renovating those rooms built a decade ago, adding a conservatory to the restaurant and a wedding lodge. Work on those is expected to start in 2016.
Mr Badcock said: “While we didn’t feel a complete re-build was required it seemed to us the time was right for a judicious facelift, re-working some of our internal layouts to create additional space for the biggest wedding receptions or mid-week conference clients.”
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