An experienced hotelier and turn-around expert has been appointed to oversee a massive refurbishment at one of Ipswich’s landmark hotels.

Graham MrGregor was appointed operations director at Seckford Hall Hotel last year and set to work redesigning the hotel’s 32 bedrooms. The refurbishment has been championed by hotel owners Michael and Christine Bunn with the help of a local interior designer who specialises in historic buildings.

The ambition is to create stunning rooms and bathrooms within the fabric, and respecting the integrity, of this magnificent Tudor stately home. Private dining, a commitment to improving the hotel’s carbon footprint, online booking and a new relationship with neighbouring Seckford Golf Club will all play a part in the next chapter of the building’s 500-year history.

“This really is a wonderful property,” said Graham. “In my experience an independent three-star hotel is a dying breed but the current owners have done a tremendous job here and I am pleased to be able to join the team and work towards achieving four-star status, which is what it deserves.”

Part of the challenge of refurbishing this grand old building is that each of the bedrooms is a different style and shape, something which adds to its charm and demands bespoke solutions for each space.

As a result each room has its own personality. Carefully placed antique furniture, including a good number of four-poster beds, now share bright and airy spaces with some modern pieces, flat screen televisions and ambient lighting. Beautiful drapes, upholstery and new carpets complete the setting. You can’t see it but wi-fi throughout brings each room into the 21st century.

The bathrooms are also a delight. Each slightly different but all now have stunning Italian tiles, power showers and twin basins, some even boast a small television ideally placed to catch up on the news whilst you are soaking in the bath. The towels are fluffy and the bed linen crisp. The new bedrooms at Seckford would be equally as appealing to businessmen or women and leisure guests as to a honeymooning bride and groom.

Dining at Seckford has also entered a new phase. Both the main two-rosette Hotel restaurant and the more informal brasserie-style Club Restaurant in the adjacent tithe barn, are already committed to serving the highest quality cuisine. An experienced chef himself, Graham has been working with head chef Mark Archer to refresh the menus.

“There is such a wonderful supply of fresh produce here in Suffolk and we intend to take advantage of that,” said Graham. “Seasonal menus are also important whether its fine dining or a light lunch.”

Seckford has also introduced private dining in a first floor area of the tithe barn. The long oval table can be set for up to 22 diners, making it ideal for business events, a special family occasion or even an intimate wedding breakfast. Emphasis in this room in on top quality service and fine dining with event organisers selecting three choices for their guests to choose from.

The private dining space can also be adapted for board meetings or training rooms. Other amenities in the barn include a swimming pool, beauty salon and an informal bistro style restaurant areas downstairs.

Bringing the 16th century hotel up to scratch environmentally will be one of Graham’s biggest challenges but he is confident that positive steps can be made. Options such as geo-thermal heating and amp sensors are being explored alongside a new recycling regime and the installation of low energy light bulbs throughout and the use of paper from sustainable sources.

Marketing the new Seckford Hall has already begun in earnest. With his degree in tourism, Graham has some exciting ideas about attracting new business to Seckford as well as looking after its loyal clientele.

The hotel is now part of the Classic British Hotels group, which gives it a much higher profile, and has a new website which is powered by Globekey, an international online booking system, which is designed to draw in bookings from people searching for a hotel online. He is actively involved with Visit Britain, The East of England Tourist board and the hotel has become a member of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and is a gold member of Choose Suffolk.

“We are very lucky to have such proactive and positive tourism partners,” said Graham. “Working with them is crucial in attracting people to Seckford and also encouraging them to explore our surroundings.”

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