A seafront hotel which has sat derelict for more than a year is set to undergo a huge transformation “back to its former glory”, new owners have promised.

The Gallivant Boutique Hotel in Rye purchased the Romney Bay House Hotel in Littlestone last year and plans to give the venue a new lease of life.

The business, which is owned and operated by Harry Cragoe, has been open in Rye for the past seven years and he now plans to bring the success of The Gallivant to Romney Marsh.

My Cragoe has confirmed he will name the hotel The Gallivant Littlestone Beach and plans to open its doors in the middle of summer next year.

The former Romney Bay House Hotel was acquired by Mr Cragoe last year after going on the market for a reported guide price of £1,895,000.

The hotel was built in 1929 by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis CBE and has a long and rich history, having previously welcomed guests such as actor Noel Coward and renowned American business tycoons, the Astor family.

“We want to restore the building back to its former beauty,” Mr Cragoe told KentOnline.

“The site is going to feel very much like a private house rather than your standard hotel.

“Our hotel is going to include 13 stunning bedrooms and have a big focus on wellness. For example, there will be steam rooms, cold baths and a treatment room.”

Furthermore, Mr Cragoe revealed the garden will be “completely refurbished” and will include a “Victorian bathing house”.

The site was originally due to open in the autumn of this year, but bosses delayed the opening to make sure they “get everything right”.

The hotel has been left empty since 2022 and Mr Cragoe purchased the building shortly after the closure.

He added: “The building is looking a bit sorry for itself at the moment, but when we have completed our work it is going to look how it was when it was first built.

“Originally we had planned to open this autumn but have delayed it as we really wanted to consider our plans.”

The Gallivant in Rye is home to 20 bedrooms and was voted in the top 50 boutique hotels in the country for 2023.

Mr Cragoe wants to “replicate” what he has done in Rye and “bring the success to Littlestone”.

Furthermore, he anticipates the hotel will bring “at least 20 jobs” to the area.

“It's very exciting to bring back to life such a historically important building along the beach,” he said.

“I believe we are going to create something truly beautiful.”