A HOTEL reopens its doors next month – with the promise of something “unique” for customers, including those planning their weddings.

The Carlton Manor Hotel in Chapel Road, Carlton Colville, near Lowestoft, is planning to open for business in the early part of February after an 18-month refurbishment that cost more than �2million.

Now owned by entrepreneur Dee Mauree, it will have 15 boutique-style bedrooms and hopes to become a popular destination for couples planning their big day.

As part of his plans to make the hotel a popular wedding venue, Mr Mauree, 69, has created a “one-stop-shop” for couples including a hair dressing salon, a florist and manicurist. The hotel also has a licence to host weddings.

There are also two bridal suites, one of which is on the ground floor and easily accessible, and a restaurant and bar space to cater for wedding parties.

In addition to this, the hotel, which will employ about 30 staff, has a champagne bar and a brasserie and it will eventually have a music pavilion and an outdoor children’s area.

Mr Mauree, who also owns a fishing tackle shop in Lowestoft and the Broads Equestrian Centre at Barnby, is looking forward to accepting guests at the former 19th Century manor house. He said: “We have got an opening date of early February. As a wedding venue we want to provide everything people could want.”

Mr Mauree, who moved to the Lowestoft area two-and-a-half years ago, is also planning to offer North Sea trips on a restored luxury boat. He has spent �450,000 refurbishing, re-fitting and repairing the Tabitha which, he says, was built in 1954 for the Earl of Salisbury.