A TOP West Devon hotel has re-opened its doors to the public following a huge refurbishment and restoration programme lasting nearly a year. The Tudor-style Gidleigh Park Hotel and Restaurant was closed on January 3 last year by new owners Andrew and Christina Brownsword. The hoteliers have since then been overseeing a major project to revamp the award-winning hotel and its three-Michelin star restaurant. It has been extended from a 14-bedroom establishment to a 24-bedroom hotel — and no expense has been spared, with top designers being brought in to transform the property. A spokesman for Gidleigh said: 'The design influences are reminiscent of the period in which the original property was built, which was 1928, during the arts and crafts movement in the late 19th and early 20th century. 'The hotel has a country-house feel, achieved by use of fine English fabrics and antiques, with each public room and bedroom individually furnished and completed with personal touches. 'It looks really lovely — and the bathrooms are amazing!' Gidleigh's general manager, Sue Williams, said: 'It is incredibly exciting for us with the new bedrooms and suites. The spa suites in particular are quite unique to Gidleigh.' Head chef Michael Caines, who has been with the hotel since 1994, continues at the helm of the kitchens at Gidleigh. And the property's 45-acre park is still being improved. Extensive work had taken place to clear undergrowth and encourage swathes of bluebells, orchids, rhododendrons and azaleas.
