A tired and rundown hotel has been given a new lease of life in an extensive refurbishment.

Formerly the Salisbury Hotel in Clifton Gardens, the Cliffe restaurant and bar and The View Hotel has now replaced it with modern interior, revamping its rooms and a new menu aimed at residents.

The venture was started by experienced hotelier Dave Mellish, his sister Ann Grundy and a silent business partner.

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The restaurant opened its doors to the public on Thursday, August 11, and the 44 bedrooms, five of which are plush suites, will be opened on the first week of September.

There is around 20 employees, most of them Shepway people, running the restaurant and the hotel.

Mr Mellish, who lives in Maidstone, said he has always been a fan of Folkestone and has been coming to the coastal retreat for years.

He described the Leas as impeccably kept by the district council, and said that window views of the Channel were a big plus to its location.

Mr Mellish, a father-of-four, said: “We hope to bring a bit more style and elegance to people’s accommodation and their eating and drinking experience.

“We think Folkestone definitely deserves it, the people are crying out for it, and I also think it will be great for tourism as well.

“The whole environment around here is lovely, this stretch from here right down to the seafront is kept so well.”

The design was carefully planned out in the initial stages, with much of the building’s Victorian heritage to remain as part of its character.

The five-storey property has received some long-awaited tender loving care.

Stonemasons were brought in to work on some of the original features, such as the balastrades, and the cornices which can be seen on the ceiling have been renewed.

It was bought in October last year, with the full purchase completed in February.
The former Salisbury Hotel was already being used as a hotel when it was advertised for sale.

For more information, call 01303 847880 or email reservations@clifferestaurant.co.uk.