Former Michelin-starred chef Alex Aitken to oversee restaurant at Salcombe Harbour Hotel

Former Michelin-starred chef Alex Aitken is to create the menus at the Salcombe Harbour Hotel & Spa which is currently closed while undergoing a £4m refurbishment.

The 50-bedroom property, which overlooks the Salcombe Estaury, was bought by Harbour Hotels in January 2010 and was formerly known as the Marine hotel.

Due to re-open in summer 2013, the refurbishment will result in a four-star, luxury hotel with a new spa, restaurant and function room. The glass frontage will enable guests using the swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and treatment rooms, to enjoy the waterfront scenery.

While Aitken, who currently runs the Jetty restaurant within the grounds of sister hotel, the Christchurch harbor in Christchurch, Dorset, will oversee the restaurant, local chefs will deliver the menu. Aitken held a Michelin-star at Le Poussin restaurant which he previously owned in Brockenhurst in the New Forest.

Nicolas Roach, chairman of Harbour Hotels, said: "With a premium location and the facilities to match, the hotel will prove to be a fantastic addition to the local area; further celebrating its spectacular scenery with areas that maximise on our unique waterside views."

"This is an extremely exciting time for Harbour Hotels, as we continue to build our portfolio of four-star waterside hotels; boosting local tourism and delivering an end product to be enjoyed by generations to come."

Torquay based architect, Kay Elliot has designed the new-look Salcombe Harbour hotel , with interior design team DO Design providing a marine inspired décor.

As well as the Salcombe hotel, Harbour Hotels owns and operates two hotels in Christchurch and one each in St Ives and Sidmouth. It is also currently developing a yacht-inspired 76-bedroom , five-star hotel and spa at the Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, where Aitken is involved in designing the restaurant concept.

Harbour Hotels Group snaps up Salcombe's Marine hotel >>

Salcombe Harbour hotel to undergo £4m refurbishment >>

Alex Aitken to run Gary Rhodes' restaurant in Christchurch >>

Green light for yacht-inspired hotel in Southampton >>

By Janet Harmer

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