Kentish Express Ashford & District
Opening time for health spa after big renovation project
The first guests will stay at the new Champneys health spa at Eastwell Manor Spa Hotel this Easter.
The venue officially re-opens tomorrow (Good Friday) after a multimillion-pound renovation that has taken six months.
Champneys bought the historic Edwardian estate and hotel in Boughton Aluph, near Ashford, in November.
Champneys co-owner Stephen Purdew said: “We are delighted that 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. The acquisition of Eastwell Manor is a major milestone for the Champneys Group.”
The hotel will include 62 bedrooms and suites, two restaurants, a pitch-and-putt and the spa which features a full treatment menu, access to the newlook indoor pool, gym and thermal areas.
The hotel will have a particular focus on outdoor country pursuits, including falconry, Segways and hiking.
Champneys has five resorts, six city spas and two beauty colleges.
And the new-look Champneys has been judged a knockout by former world heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno, who proved he was fighting fit again after years of mental health problems – thanks to a gruelling workout and wellbeing regime at the new-look health resort.
A friend of owner Stephen Purdew and his resort-founding mother Dorothy, Frank, 55, became the first person to have treatments at Eastwell Manor – two weeks ahead of its official opening to guests.
Frank said: “I just want to thank Champneys for everything they have done to help me get over some very difficult years. My fitness at Champneys in Tring has been a key part of mental wellbeing, and of course keeping me in shape.”
The Champneys takeover of Eastwell Manor was first announced to staff and business 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.
For details go t o www. champneys.com