THE return of a much-loved hotel to Wilmslow is being hailed after its owners spent £1.7 million to refurbish it.

The Stanneylands was bought by the Mere Collection for £4.15 million in December 2015, after the country house’s previous owners had entered administration seven months earlier.

Fifteen months on, the owners have transformed the site, and hope it will become the area's go-to destination for food and drink.

With a number of events already booked into the Stanneylands' diary this week, SK9 residents are welcoming the new-look hotel's relaunch with open arms.

Christopher Dodson, of Carrwood Road, told the Guardian: "I think it is a good thing for Wilmslow that the Stanneylands has returned," he said.

"It is a part of the town's heritage - we have no other hotel quite like it."

Cynthia Samson, of Handforth, attended one of the hotel's first events yesterday.

"I was pleased to hear it was reopening - I thought it was going to close full stop," she added.

"It's always good to have somewhere to go, the function rooms were very good and the service was impressive."

The Stanneylands is the second hotel in the Mere Collection's portfolio, alongside the Mere Golf Resort and Spa near Knutsford.

Following its revamp, the Wilmslow hotel features two new dining venues – the Tap and Pantry and The Grill Room – plus three event and meeting spaces and fully-refurbished hotel rooms.

Speaking to the Guardian in January, Carina Martins, general manager at the Stanneylands, insisted the hotel wanted to go 'back to its roots' when it reopened.

"It’s served the community for years, residents have fond memories of the hotel and we want it to be seen with that same love again as the go-to food and drink destination for Wilmslow," she said.

"We are in a crowded market, but we are hoping that we can deliver the best possible experience for customers."

  • To see more images from the new-look Stanneylands, pick up a copy of this week's Guardian