Hotel spa reopens after takeover and renovation

Champneys health spa will open at Eastwell Manor Spa Hotel over the Easter weekend after a multimillion pound renovation that has taken six months.

The spa will welcome its first guests on Good Friday, April 14.

The announcement comes after the company bought the hotel in Boughton Aluph near Ashford in November.

Stephen Purdew, Champneys co-owner, said: “We are delighted to announce that from Good Friday the doors will open for the public to experience the new-look Eastwell Manor Champneys Spa Hotel.

“The past six months have been an exciting period as we’ve watched the vision for Eastwell become a reality. We can’t wait to welcome our first guests to the spa and we are confident they will agree our improvements have breathed new life into this most historic of venues.”

Since January the spa has been closed to the public but managers have released photos giving a glimpse of what guests will find inside. The spa will feature a full treatment menu, access to the new- look indoor pool, gym and thermal areas.

There will be a relaxation room where guests can enjoy pano- ramic views across the Kentish Eastwell Estate.

On completion of the hotel renovations later this year, the hotel will have 62 bedrooms and suites, two restaurants, a spa, pitch and putt and leisure facilities.

The hotel will have a particular focus on the finest of outdoor country pursuits, including falconry, Segways and hiking.

Mr Purdew added: “The acquisition of Eastwell Manor is a major milestone for the Champneys Group.”

Champneys has five resorts, six city spas, a college, beauty courses at LCCA and a range of globally recognised products.

The Champneys takeover of Eastwell Manor was first announced to staff and busi- ness associates at the estate last October.

Turrloo Parrett, who has owned the business since 1995, will continue as official owner but has passed the management reigns over to the Purdew family.

Mr Purdew, who owns Champneys with his mum, Dorothy, and runs the business with his wife, Isabelle, said they had had their eye on Eastwell Manor for more than 18 months.

He added: “I just pestered the life out of them until they sold it to me.

“There comes a time when a property as beautiful as this needs new energy and new investment.”

For details go to champneys.com Introducing the new boss to his staff at last October’s meeting, Mr Parrett said: “We are delighted that we are now involved with Champneys.

“It will be a wonderful beginning for Ashford. Eastwell Manor is a great product and I want it to continue.

“We are happy that we have Champneys to take it forward and see it continue down the path we started 20 years ago.”

Eastwell Manor is Champneys first new acquisition in 10 years, and will be the their fifth resort spa but first in Kent.

The hotel will be operated under the title of Champneys at Eastwell after a big investment, relaunch and creation of up to 160 jobs.