New Forest hotel, The Balmer Lawn has undergone a £3.95m refurbishment and expanded its workforce by almost a third after an upswing in bookings for weddings and functions.
Built in the 1800s as a hunting lodge, this classic Brockenhurst hotel, restaurant and Saltus spa has undergone an extensive makeover to give it a more contemporary look and feel.
The revamp has seen ten of the 54 bedrooms upgraded from standard to superior. The function facilities, used for weddings and parties have been extended, and the corporate and conference areas enlarged. There is also new furniture, French shutters and wood burners.
The Balmer Lawn's owners, Alison and Chris Wilson said that wedding bookings so far this year have doubled at the hotel. So to meet the demand the pair have increased the hotel workforce by 30%, bringing to 65 the number of staff employed.
The Wilson's have owned the hotel for 20 years and in 2007 oversaw its improvement from three to four-star.
Guests who have stayed the hotel include King George V, J.J. Sainsbury, Churchill and General Eisenhower. Some of the Orders for the Day for the D Day invasion were issued from the Balmer Lawn.