The Old Abbey House Hotel is preparing to open after a £3.5 million refurbishment to transform the derelict former council offices into a 27-bed boutique hotel in central Abingdon.
Bought by Ede Homes two years ago for just under £927,000, the conversion was always going to be an enormous undertaking.
‘WE’RE KEEN TO DEMONSTRATE THE RESTORATION WORK UNDERTAKEN HERE BECAUSE THE BUILDING WAS IN A HEART-BREAKING STATE WHEN WE BOUGHT IT’
Having lain empty since 2014, the building was not only dilapidated, but needed a huge team of in-house expert tradesmen and artisan restorers to ensure that not only its structure was preserved but its period features restored.
Which means no expense has been spared on the self check-in boutique style hotel to restore the 16th century building back to its former glory.
And judging by the gleaming hotel standing before me, Ede has achieved everything it set out to do, because the results are simply stunning.
Fireplaces have been unearthed and revived, mantelpieces expertly renewed, the wooden staircase painstakingly repaired, and its period features given the love and attention they deserve.
As for the spacious rooms, expensive bedlinen, wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary furniture, state-of-the-art bathrooms and unrivalled views over Abbey Gardens and the Abbey ruins themselves, they all ensure that Abingdon’s newest hotel is going to make a big impression.
17 of the rooms also have beautiful and stylish kitchenettes built in for anyone looking for a longer stay, for which there is a huge gap in the market.
Operations boss Sian King, who has overseen the project, is delighted with the results, and, aided by interior designers Accouter, created an eclectic mix of rooms decorated in a tasteful palette of colours and styles.
“A lot of love has got into the project to ensure that the original features and the charm of the building shine,” she says.
This is not the first of Ede Home‘s hotel conversions. The company has already developed and opened 192 on Oxford’s Iffley Road, and work has begun on converting the former Victoria Hotel on Abingdon Road into the 38 room Edge Hotel.
Ede Homes has also bought the historic Feathers Hotel in Woodstock which is due to begin a £1.5 restoration early next year READ ABOUT IT HERE
Which might explain why there has been so much interest in the Old Abbey House Hotel project.
“People have been asking lots of questions so we are really keen to let them know the scope of the restoration work undertaken here to maintain the building’s historic character, because it was in a heart-breaking state when we bought it,” Sian explains.
So what can we expect when Old Abbey House Hotel reopens? “A home away from home, a contemporary hotel in a beautiful, historic building, modern technology, and three floors of rooms and suites, thanks to our extensive reconfiguration,” Sian explains.
And while the hotel won’t be serving food, the team has already built up a great relationship with local independent businesses and eateries to recommend the best places in Abingdon to their guests.
But with The Old Abbey House Hotel preparing to open its door to the public mid-October, you’ll be able to see for yourselves very soon.
Old Abbey House Hotel, Abbey Close Abingdon. For more information, updates, booking and opening details, go to https://www.oldabbeyhouse.co.uk
