The Castle Hotel in Lincoln reopened this week after a 6 month, £1million refurbishment which has seen the landmark hotel completely transformed by new owners Paul Catlow and Saera Ahmad.

After teaming up with local Lincoln architects, designers and builders, the refurbishment began in Autumn 2010, and the entire hotel, restaurant and newly created apartment have since been completely renovated. Phase one was completed in November last year and has already earned the hotel a five star self catering grading by Visit Britain. The main hotel work commenced at the start of January and has been completed in just ten weeks.

In addition to changes to the hotel’s floorplan to make better use of the space, every single bedroom in the hotel has been completely refurbished with modern, tasteful interiors and luxury en-suites. A new dedicated lounge bar area has been created, and the restaurant has been completely revamped and made into a stylish, chic and inviting place to eat.

The fully refurbished restaurant also has a new name, ‘Reform’, and will be serving food from the highly talented head chef Mark Cheseldine, formerly of Café Bleu in Newark. With a contemporary European menu, food is served in a relaxed setting, and dishes all include fresh, seasonal ingredients, with local produce used wherever possible.

Paul Catlow, new owner of The Castle Hotel, said: “It has been a huge challenge to get the hotel finished in time, but we are absolutely delighted with the final results. We set out to
bring the hotel tastefully into the 21st century whilst maintaining its traditional appeal, and feel we have really achieved that.

“With Marks fantastic food featuring seasonal ingredients from local suppliers, we hope to turn ‘Reform’, into a destination restaurant for locals as well as hotel guests. The restaurant previously didn’t particularly appeal to local diners but we hope to change that by offering a place to eat second to none in Lincoln. The quality of the food will be matched by the beautiful interior design and service will be attentive, welcoming and friendly.”

Located between Lincoln’s spectacular Castle and its magnificent Cathedral, The Castle Hotel offers stunning views, stylish, luxury and modern interiors, and places guests at the heart of Lincoln’s historic old quarter.

The Grade II listed building was built on the site of Lincoln’s Roman Forum in 1852. Starting life as a school, the building has also served as an evening institute, parish rooms, army cadet centre, Sunday school, riding school, occupation centre and repair workshop, before becoming a hotel in 1979.