A much-loved hotel has gone back to its roots after 20 years by reopening under its original name following a major refurbishment.

The Comfort Inn in Ramsgate relaunched yesterday (Friday) as the Hotel San Clu to fulfil the late owner's dying wish.

The business in Victoria Parade was previously owned by Kishore Kanani, who died last year, and his two daughters have now taken the reins.

The hotel opened under the name Hotel St Cloud in 1887, but the French owner did not like the British pronunciation and decided to rename it as Hotel San Clu.

It is said the original owner came up with the name when he saw the word hotel written in the clouds.

However, in 2003 the site was brought by chain Choice Hotels, and the French name was lost.

Employee Karen Nash told KentOnline: "People in Ramsgate want to turn it back to what it should be.

"While it has always been a family hotel, it never suited being a Comfort Inn.

"People used to come when it was San Clu, and it always felt like a locals place - and it always has been.

"Even as The Comfort Inn, people still called it the San Clu."

As well as the new name, the guesthouse also has a new look.

The bar and restaurant has undergone a complete refurbishment and a new seating area has been added.

Bringing back the San Clu name was late owner Mr Kanani's "wish before he died".

Ms Nash, who has worked at the hotel since 1998, said: "Before he passed, he had already set the ball rolling but his daughters have carried out his wishes.

"It feels like the hotel is coming home."

Mayor of Ramsgate Raushan Ara was among the guests at the grand reopening.