Expansion is now complete at Saxmundham boutique retreat, The Bell Hotel. That means three extra rooms, stunning terrace space, and private dining is now available to guests, alongside key accessibility features – just in time for Coastal Suffolk’s tourist season.
It’s been a local effort all round, with Suffolk-based artisan builders completing the sympathetic exterior refurbishment on the Grade II listed site, and reimagining the brand new reception and dining areas. Cotton Tree Interiors were once again on hand to create the evocative ‘bring the outside in’ interior theme that has already won the hotel many plaudits in the national media.
Crucially, the team also found a way to integrate a lift into the 180-year-old building. A major challenge, but vital to ensuring access for people of all levels of mobility.
The Bell Hotel’s General Manager, Ashley Beale, says:
“After three months of construction, I’m excited to show our visiting tourists, local regulars, and destination diners what we have achieved. Finally getting the lift installed means we can now welcome everyone, something that has been on our minds from day one. I also can’t thank our local design partner Cotton Tree Interiors enough for bringing their skill and commitment to this project. The unique theming in each room adds real depth to the top-class guest experience we offer here.”
To achieve the contemporary, elegant and tangibly ‘coastal Suffolk’ atmosphere at the hotel, Cotton Tree Interiors artfully curated furnishings, textures and colour palettes for each guest room and the new dining and reception areas. Cotton Tree’s Rebecca Eacott said:
“We love working with The Bell. Their understanding of what makes an incredible guest experience, and their love of the local landscape, really inspired us. Not only have we been able to create something truly special here, but we’ve worked with so many talented local businesses to achieve it. I can’t wait to hear what the guests think about what we’ve created.”
If it’s anything like the reviews The Bell has received so far, feedback is going to be extremely positive. Since reopening in late 2022, The Bell has been lauded in several publications, most recently being noted in The Independent as on of ‘The hottest place to stay,’ as well as gaining scores of rave reviews on sites like Trip Advisor.
Photo credit – Rufus Owen
