Boutique hotel opens on Northumberland coast after £3m investment

A luxury boutique hotel has opened on the Northumberland coast following a £3million refurbishment.
Beadnell TowersBeadnell Towers
Beadnell Towers

The 18-month project has transformed Beadnell Towers from a 10 bed hotel into an 18-bedroomed venue, consisting of hotel, kitchen, bar and terrace, as well as a British-inspired menu.

It was bought by property developer David Wilson in October 2016, and had a ‘soft’ opening over the past week while the final touches are put in place.

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Denis Frucot, general manager, said a key aspiration of the project had been to make the hotel a destination itself, helping to build a year-round business.

Denis Frucot, general manager at Beadnell Towers.Denis Frucot, general manager at Beadnell Towers.
Denis Frucot, general manager at Beadnell Towers.

Well aware that the weather might not be conducive to outdoor pursuits during the winter, extra efforts have been made to give the hotel a luxurious feel in which guests will want to spend time.

“As it is a Listed Building, the renovations have had to be in keeping with its historical heritage,” said Dennis.

“In the process of the renovations we uncovered some amazing finds; we were pleasantly surprised to see that underneath the plastered walls and ceilings, there was some beautiful authentic stonework and timbers which our designer, Matt Hulme, of Dynargh Design, built into his vision.

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“We’ve left these uncovered so everyone can enjoy the stunning workmanship that went into the original venue.”

Fine dining at Beadnell Towers.Fine dining at Beadnell Towers.
Fine dining at Beadnell Towers.

The bar and kitchen are both open from breakfast onwards, seven days a week.

A firm favourite for both visitors to the North East and those more local, Beadnell is a destination that appeals to many.

It boasts glorious beaches on its doorstep and close proximity to the historical sites of Bamburgh, the Farne Islands and Dunstanburgh.

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As well as its location in the walkers’ paradise that is the beautiful Northumberland countryside, there is an abundance of water sports in Beadnell and nearby Seahouses, all of which helps put this family and dog-friendly destination firmly on the map.

One of the 18 rooms at Beadnell TowersOne of the 18 rooms at Beadnell Towers
One of the 18 rooms at Beadnell Towers

This transformation provided opportunities for many of the businesses and individuals in the area, with the involvement of the region’s architects, builders, solicitors, bankers, and other tradespeople in the process of creating the stand-alone venue.

It has also provided local employment, with 30 staff at the moment, but with demand having already been extremely high to try out the venue, this figure is expected to reach 40 by the end of June.

Matt Hulme’s previous work has included a number of Hotel du Vin properties and the Cookie Jar boutique hotel in Bailiffgate, Alnwick.

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The intention is to appeal to the family market, with six bedrooms able to be booked together as family suites.

Meanwhile, a 100-seat open plan restaurant, bar and kitchen with a modern British menu created by head chef Tony McDermott will sit alongside the Reading Room lounge, which will be used for casual dining, afternoon tea, pre and post dinner drinks and functions.

Denis, who has been on site for 12 months overseeing the project, has previously been general manager of Macdonald Linden Hall, Seckford Hall in Suffolk, and Hoste at Bunham Market in Norfolk, after 16 years with Hotel du Vin and Malmaison.

A VIP event last weekend marked the official launch of the hotel.