One of Grantham’s favourite hotels has re-opened with the promise that it will become one of the best in Lincolnshire.
The Eden House Hotel closed briefly towards the end of January, but on Monday the bar, coffee lounge and functions room were back in business, under new management.
Raj Thirumeni, a former head chef at the Urban Hotel in town, took over the lease at the beginning of the month, registered under the name of RGM Hospitality Ltd.
He said work is now under way bringing the 21 bedrooms up to the high standard he expects.
He said: “It may take up to two months, but I want this to be the best hotel in Lincolnshire.
Mr Thirumeni, who has a BSc in Catering & Hotel Management has more than 20 years’ experience in the hotel industry, including Le Meriden Hotels from Dubai, the Hilton and Holiday Inn.
He said: “I have lots of plans for the Eden and will work with local people to provide excellent service. I want to take this hotel forward.
“I have lots of plans including improving the breakfast room and restaurant. But I’m doing it one at a time. I want it to be right.”
Included in the plans are a change of name for the hotel, although he is giving no hint as to what.
He said: “Any bad comments currently on Trip Advisor will not be relevant to this new hotel. This will be exceptional.”
The Eden House Hotel, has had a varied history, since it was built in 1861 as a boarding house for the grammar school. It became a hunting lodge and home of French banker Monsieur Couturie who named it Diana Lodge.
It became Hotel Diana in 1927 after being taken over by Mrs Talbot, of Nottingham, who turned into a 15-bedroom residential and commercial hotel.
In 1961 it was taken over by the Fillingham family, following their sale of the George Hotel, and renamed the King’s Hotel.
It was then run by the Blakeman family until they sold it in 2007.
In 2011 it became the Eden House Hotel.
Fantastic news