Former Redroofs Bed and Breakfast transformed into high-end boutique B&B

A grand refurbishment of the historic Redroofs Bed and Breakfast building is complete and a new high-end boutique B&B has been unveiled.

Iain and Alessandra Williams, who are running the River Arts Club in Guards Club Road, have spent several hundred thousand pounds transforming the property over the past nine months.

Built in 1882, the Grade II-listed Victorian building is now home to the ‘blueprint’ for a set of B&Bs across the world, run by Mr and Mrs Williams and his sister and brother-in-law.

“We have tried to keep as much of the character of the house as possible,” said Mr Williams, “but also offering an arty experience which is a bit off the wall.”

Around 50 pieces of art, collected from Cuba and Venezuela, are displayed around the various rooms, most of which are on sale.

Previously a runner-up in the Channel 4 TV series ‘Britain’s Best Homes,’ the property now comprises of 13 rooms, categorised from large suites to a single room. It was previously run by Sandy and Colin Brooks-Johnson.

Having met 20 years ago, the Williams lived in Italy for a decade before moving on to Morocco where they ran a hotel in Marrakech.

“After nine years, I thought it was time to venture back into British civilisation,” Mr Williams said.

“With our background experience, my sister and her husband proposed we come and set up as a joint venture.

“The idea is that it will become an exclusive chain with two in France, one in Beirut and one in Havana.”

Set to be listed on Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck and The Hinds Head’s recommended places to stay list, the River Arts Club will taxi residents down the river to dine and organise jazz performances on the property’s riverside lawn.

“The idea is to get people to spend their time here rather than just be a place to stay,” the 48-year-old said. “It is quintessentially English.”

Visit http://www.riverartsclub.com/ for more information.