Kent’s newest hotel is to open in the Spring.

A multi-million pound revamp of The Coniston in Sittingbourne is turning it into a four-star complex.

The work will complete the transformation of a hotel closed for several years after tabloid stories about its role as a base for asylum seekers.

Before this unwanted publicity, The Coniston had traded for more than a 100 years, many of which as Sittingbourne’s only hotel.

The hotel was sold in January 2003 but remained boarded up until 2006 when local businessmen Ernie Berntsen and Chris Richardson bought it. They previously owned fire alarm systems company IFP in Upchurch and formed Bedfont Construction (Coniston LLP) to set up this first hotel development in their property portfolio.

They have spent four years renovating the original Coniston House, built as a private residence dating back to 1880.
The new hotel will provide conference and banqueting facilities as well as a ballroom, 71 en-suite bedrooms, eight suites, and a restaurant seating 100 diners.

"The fact that the hotel was such a prominent and successful feature in Sittingbourne in times gone by, has driven us to embark on this project with the objective of creating a sustainable facility for the community as a whole," said Mr Bernsten. "We feel privileged to have the opportunity to regenerate such an important asset for the town and look forward to opening the doors once again.

"We believe The Coniston will provide a refreshing alternative in North Kent for businesses wanting real value and four-star facilities and services outside London. Equally we are perfectly positioned for leisure travellers from Belgium, Holland, France and Germany; all markets that have already shown a substantial interest in our property."