Butlins is doing a booming trade

Overall bookings for the holiday destination are up by 23 per cent for August and September.

This has been put down to the lure of the new 20m Ocean Hotel.

Building work is 95 per cent finished and ahead of schedule. It will be handed over to Butlins from its contractor, Keir Southern, on July 21.

The first guests will start to enjoy its spa facilities on August 12 '“ a day after the hotel's official unveiling to the media.

Its 200 bedrooms have already attracted 1m of bookings, according to the resort's director, Jeremy Pardey.

A hundred new jobs are being created throughout the hotel including management, front of house, kitchen, spa, restaurant and bar team.

Appointments are being finalised from a mass of applications. Those chosen will go on an induction and training programme during this month.

Richard Bates, the managing director of Butlins, said: "Despite the challenging economic climate this year, people are booking holidays at the new Ocean Hotel based on artist's impressions alone such is the confidence they have in our company. It really is the 'year to be here' at Butlins."

The Ocean Hotel's rooms are being billed as Butlins' most stylish ever, with colour change lighting, rainfall showers and private balconies with views of either the sea or the South Downs.

Facilities include all-day check-ins, chic restaurant and bar, a spa, room service, landscaped gardens, and full access to all the entertainment on resort.

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