Martin and Janette Bland purchased the empty ex-convalescent home in April 1972 within days of being married. They set about furnishing 18 bedrooms, a dining room and a sitting room and opened for the May Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Although not connected by telephone or having had previous guests and despite not being in any guide book, every room was filled that first memorable weekend.
For the first 10 years Mr Bland did virtually all the cooking, full board in those days, and the hotel earned an enviable reputation for good honest food. The first decade also saw the complete rebuilding of the guest bedrooms to the highest standard, including full en-suite facilities, each individually designed for comfort and relaxation.
The Garden Room Restaurant was built and completed in April 1982, the hotel's 10th Anniversary, together with the bar lounge, in January 2004 it was refurbished and renamed The Terrace Restaurant. In 1983 the sitting room, reception area, coffee lounge and loos were completed and from then on the hotel remained open all year round.
Almost immediately the Guide Books recognised the very special quality of the hotel and the awards started coming in.
The Blands' three lovely daughters, Clare, Lisa and Caroline, have all worked in the hotel in the past and understand the importance of diligence, commitment and customer care which has helped them in pursuing their careers.
Sadly Mrs Bland died in July 2005 and will be sorely missed but Mr Bland is continuing to run the hotel, now in its 35 th year and has no thoughts of retiring.