A HOTEL in York will have a fresh look for 2019 after work had begun on a one million pound renovation.

Middletons Hotel, Cromwell Road, York has started work that will see the old Alms Cottages and Cromwell House bedrooms given a new look.

The hotel says it will honour its historic roots and heritage through the design, with 'elements of surprise planted in the detail'.

General Manager Adam Wardale said: “Middletons Hotel has bags of personality and our in-house design team have gone to great lengths to explore the history of each building within the hotel and come up with a design concept which tells the story while added that element of modern guest experience that people expect from a city centre hotel.

“This new design will play on the unique character related to the heritage of each part of the site – from the 19th Century Cromwell House which was originally a sawmill complex where each guest room will feature a unique piece of handcrafted furniture, through to the Grade II Listed almshouses funded by public subscription in memory of Sir Joseph Terry that will incorporate a secret space for a Terry’s Chocolate Orange to be found by guests.

“We are all looking forward to seeing the results of the refurbishment, as it is going to breathe new life into our hotel and give it some exciting new additions that I’m sure our guests will welcome.”

Work starts this week, with phase one taking 12 weeks to complete.

The business will continue to open as normal during this time.

Among the highlights, the new look Joseph Terry Cottages will each sleep up to six people, to appeal to larger families or small groups.

They will feature 'a cosy lounge area and outside each cottage will be a traditional English garden with picket fence'.

The Cromwell House bedrooms will take inspiration from the history of timber trading, making use of reclaimed timbers and handcrafted furniture.

Middletons Hotel is part of the House of Daniel Thwaites collective which has developed a reputation for its refurbishment projects that celebrate heritage. Also part of the group is Judge’s Lodging, which was transformed by the company in 2014.