A hotel boss says Dover’s soaring popularity is forcing the seafront venue to expand by almost 50%.

Room numbers at Dover Marina Hotel and Spa are increasing from 85 to 122 to cope with the growing demand for accommodation.

The four-star venue’s commercial director, Trevor Bond, says the town is considered a key investment spot for the Best Western Plus group, which owns the guest house.

“We are trying to create a top tourist destination in this part of the world,” he said.

“We want this to be a place for everyone to go.

“This will help Dover to grow into a tourist hotspot. Our occupancy has gone up so much that we have been full.

“The demand is there, so opening these new rooms was a sensible investment.”

Two applications submitted to Dover District Council reveal how the hotel is expanding into neighbouring buildings.

The first of which saw 13 new rooms opened on Friday in former flats to the western side, spread over four floors above the Wheelers Fish and Chips shop at Waterloo Mansions.

A further 24 are still to be provided, alongside a large bistro bar and a function room, on the hotel’s eastern side, in Protea House.

Mr Bond believes the expansion is “needed” as demand for seafront accommodation grows.

“The old buildings were originally acquired by the port of Dover,” he said.

“We have been working very closely with them and they were very keen to invest and continue the growth of the town.

“We opened the 13 new rooms on Friday and people were staying in them over the weekend.

“We have so many fine attractions here. It is a great place for people to stay and come visit.”

The 24 extra rooms at Protea House are due to be finished in time for next summer.

Mr Bond went on: “We hope the rest of the town will follow in our vision.

“Hopefully, the people of Dover will help support this.

"Other than a coat of paint we will retain the historic nature of the exterior of the building as it is such a well-known landmark.”

The distinct curved terrace of Waterloo Crescent was constructed between 1834 and 1838, with 19 houses over five storeys, with basements. Each had a front garden overlooking Dover seafront.

Most of the terrace was then converted to a hotel in the late 19th to early 20th century.

The eastern end had the Shalimar Hotel before it later became Protea House and was converted to a college annex in 1978. It was used for offices from 1993.

Waterloo Mansions was converted into four flats by Dover Harbour Board in the 1970s and 1980s, with the basement and ground floor converted into an office and café connected to the existing hotel.

Dover Marina Hotel and Spa was previously the White Cliffs Hotel and then the Churchill Hotel, and has been operating under its present name since 2011.

Unlike other buildings on the seafront further towards Dover Eastern Docks, this terrace was virtually untouched by enemy bombing during the Second World War.

Natalie Elphicke, Member of Parliament for Dover, Deal, and The Villages, said: “The Dover Marina Hotel is our leading Dover hotel. I'm delighted to welcome an impressive multi-million-pound investment making it part of the 'Best Western Premier' brand.

“There’s something for everyone at the Dover Marina Hotel - from Starbucks, Marco Pierre White's English Chophouse and now super luxury bedrooms too.”