Property group Midas has started construction on a new 80-bedroom hotel as part of a £100m development at St Mellion International Resort, near Saltash, Cornwall.

The main structure of the new hotel, designed by Peam and Proctor of Plymouth, is due for completion by the end of September. Work is also expected to start in the next few weeks to convert the Hamilton Suite into a new golf retail outlet, golf reception and conference room, while the old shop will also be turned into a conference room. Refurbishment will also be carried out on the International Bar and Suite, and a new brasserie opened by the end of the year. Crown Golf, which owns and operates the resort, expects all work on the hotel and clubhouse projects to be complete by April 2009.

The first phase of the project, including included the refurbishment of the resort's gym, reception area and spa facilities, has already been completed. Improvements have also been made to the resort's golf course, with the front nine holes of the golf resort's Nicklaus Signature Course receiving a makeover. St Mellion's fitness facilities has been expanded by a third of its original size as part of the scheme, with a 65 per cent increase in the range of cardiovascular equipment available. The former golf bar at the site has also been converted into a new function suite.

Work on the resort's £2.5m course project is still ongoing, with improvements being made to the back nine of the Nicklaus Signature Course, including upgraded tee areas and bunkers. All works to the Nicklaus course are expected to be completed by the end of October, as is the refurbishment of the resort's Kernow Course. Two new holes, however, which have been created for the Kernow Course, won't be used until 2010. St Mellion has also announced that it is to hold the English Open event for the next five years, starting in August 2009.

Photo: Hiseman Partners/Bob Atkins