Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, London, which was bought by Rocco Forte Hotels last year, is to close for up to a year for a multi-million pound revamp.

The hotel’s restaurant has gained popularity among City professionals – especially during lunchtime – following the hiring of Angelo Maresca as chief chef.

Maresca is now expected to spend the next year travelling between other Rocco Forte hotels.

A spokesperson for Rocco Forte was reported as saying: “We thought about completing the refurbishment half and half, but the figures showed it was better to close completely and do it all in one.”

The Rocco Forte chain is thought to have learned from the lessons experienced by its City rival, The Savoy.

A group wide, £60m refurbishment plan in the mid 1990s saw a comprehensive revamp of Savoy’s lobby. The hotel kept its restaurant open, but it is thought to have lost diners, who shunned the ongoing works.

Tessa Gatti, a spokesperson for Brown’s Hotel said work would begin in April.

“The full refurbishment will be overseen by Olga Polizzi and some of the plans are still to be confirmed,” she said. Details: www.roccofortehotels.com