The Bell Hotel Saxmundham announces “soft” reopening date

The Bell Hotel Saxmundham will reopen on Monday 12th December 2022 following the completion of the first phase of renovations. New owners, Beales Hotels, spent much of the last year on the sympathetic refurbishment and expansion of the iconic Grade II listed building. And now the ninth-generation, family-run hotel group are excited to finally open the doors to locals and tourists alike this festive season.

Visitors can expect a 4* boutique hotel experience, with a restaurant menu steeped in local culinary expertise. Meanwhile, the relaxed and welcoming bar area is promising to be the new social destination of choice for Saxmundham residents.  And if you’re in the mood for something sweet and decadent, afternoon tea will be offered at the hotel for the first time in its history.

Beales Hotels Managing Director Andrew Beale explains:

“The Bell has been a true labour of love for myself and my team. I’ve long dreamed of adding a Suffolk hotel to our portfolio, and I couldn’t ask for a better spot than Saxmundham. People here are so friendly and welcoming, and the town is truly the gateway to everything that’s great about Suffolk.

“We might have faced delays to our summer opening plans, but that gave us opportunity to pack much more into the first phase of the refurbishment. That means alongside seven fully themed bedrooms, our newly renovated bar and lounge are ready for guests. And of course the WCs and the brand new kitchen are now complete.  When our doors open this Christmas, you can expect a great big festive welcome from my amazing team.”

With phase one complete, Beales Hotels will begin phase two of the refurbishment in 2023, which will see eight more bedrooms, a private dining area, a lift, and a terrace area added to the hotel.

After acquiring The Bell late last year, Andrew, and General Manager Ashley Beale, looked to local artisans, designers and suppliers to bring their vision to life. The plan was simple: Bring the beauty of Suffolk inside The Bell. That’s why each bedroom has been uniquely themed to represent a different local attraction. And the bar has been designed to offer a Suffolk welcome to everyone, from shoppers refuelling on coffee and cake, to groups of friends looking to elevate their night out. Meanwhile, thanks to the locally sourced star chef, the food on diner’s plates will offer the true taste of Suffolk, using ingredients freshly caught and harvested that day by the county’s best producers.

General Manager, Ashley Beale, adds:

“Suffolk is a prime holiday retreat for those in the know, and Saxmundham offers easy access to the likes of Framlingham Castle, Snape Maltings, and many of the best nature spots in the area. Aside from being a draw for destination travellers, The Bell is perfect for business travellers visiting coastal industry, and a great eating and socialising spot for everyone, whether local, staying with us, or passing through. It’s an honour to be starting a new chapter for this storied and historic local landmark.”

Eager tourists and diners can book a stay or a table at The Bell Hotel here >> https://thebellhotelsaxmundham.co.uk/