ONE of Weymouth's top seafront hotels has been sold to a London-based international businessman.

Martyn Harrison, whose company Hollybush Associates owns the Riviera Hotel complex in Bowleaze Cove, has snapped up the Hotel Prince Regent on the Esplanade.

And the hotel will now be given a facelift that will include a redecoration and refurbishment programme of its facilities including the ballroom, conference and banquet rooms.

And it is hoped that the revamp will hike up the hotel's rating from two-stars to three-star.

Manager of the hotel, Victor Caraballo, refused to say how much the hotel has been bought for or how much the revamp will cost.

But he did say that it will be business as usual for the hotel despite the sale.

He said: "The hotel was not initially on the market, but an offer was made to the owner, Paul Wogman, and he decided that he wanted to sell to Mr Harrison.

"The hotel will be redecorated and refurbished but there will be no changes made to the staff or management.

"Everyone has been told about the sale and the staff are all quite happy with the new situation.

"We are all excited about the prospect of the refurbishment and we are looking forward to the end result."

Paul Wogman bought the 50-bedroom hotel over two-and-a-half years ago from the Seall family.

They decided to sell off shares in the resort-based Golden Key Hotel Company and brought to an end their 24-year ownership.

The hotel is held on a long lease from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, which runs well into this century.

The Prince Regent's new owner, Mr Harrison, who also operates villa complexes in Spain and Portugal from his London base, bought his first Weymouth hotel, the Riviera Hotel holiday complex, in 1999 from Pontins.

Building work is still being completed at the holiday haven after Mr Harrison invested £1 million to revitalise the complex and bring the landmark centre up to 21st century standards in a bid to attract more families during the summer and school holidays.