Delayed Heckfield Place to open in spring 2015

A spokesperson for the 60-bedroom property near Hartley Witney, said although she could not confirm a date, it would "definitely" be next spring.

She also confirmed that husband and wife team Henry and Char Gray were in place to open the hotel as joint general managers. The couple previously worked together at Amanresorts.

Originally from Scotland, Henry Gray has worked with Amanresorts in Indonesia, Mexico, India, Greece, and until December 2013 at Aman Sveti Stefan in Montenegro. He has also had spells with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts in India and Six Senses Resorts & Spa in Thailand.

Owned by the private investment company Morningside, Heckfield Place was originally announced n 2011, with an opening date of April 2012. New appointments included general manager Charles Oak,who joined from the May Fair hotel, London, and Chris Staines, from Foliage restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, London. Both have since left, with Staines going on to head up the kichen and food anad beverage operation at the Abbey hotel in Bath.

In June 2012 it was announced that Skye Gyngell, former head chef at the Petersham Nurseries Café, had been appointed culinary director of Heckfield Place, developing three restaurants - the Beckwith, the Restaurant and the Stables. . However, she will no longer be involved in working at the hotel on a day-to-day basis, a role which will be filled by a head chef who is currently being recruited. Meanwhile Gyngell is now based at Spring, a new restaurant at Somerset House, London, with backing from Morningside.

The extensive multi-million pound renovation of the Georgian building, once used as a training centre and wedding venue, will include a cinema. In April 2013 it was announced that the opening of Heckfield Place had been delayed again in order to enable a spa to be developed and opened at the same time as the hotel.

However, the spokesperson, said the spa will now no longer open alongside the hotel and will not be ready until 2016.

Heckfield Place faces further delays to allow for spa development >>