Olga Polizzi, hotelier and Director of Design for Rocco Forte Hotels has bought The Star Inn at Alfriston in East Sussex, with her daughter Alex Polizzi, hotelier and presenter of Channel 5’s The Hotel Inspector.
Olga Polizzi owns Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall and Hotel Endsleigh in Devon, and The Star Inn at Alfriston is the first official joint venture with Alex.
The Star Inn is steeped in history and was once owned by Olga’s father and Alex’s grandfather, Lord Forte, who created the Trust House Forte group. The Polizzis plan to restore The Star and revive its traditional role at the heart of the community. The hotel’s magnificent historical features will be carefully preserved.
The hotel will close at the end of October for seven months of renovations and is scheduled to open in June 2020 as a 30 room hotel, to be known as The Star.
The striking Grade II-listed, 15th century building in the medieval village of Alfriston, is near the Seven Sisters and in the South Downs National Park, close to the historic town of Lewes and to both Glyndebourne Opera House and Charleston.
Olga Polizzi said, “My home is in this part of the world and I’ve always longed for the opportunity to open a hotel in Sussex. When The Star Inn came on the market, Alex and I leapt at the project.
'We want it to be an integral part of the community and provide a welcoming environment for all, from walkers to opera goers.”
Alex Polizz added, “I am very excited to be working with my wonderful mother again, as it is fifteen years since we opened Endsleigh together and we hope that our complementary skills will help us create a really special place to eat and stay.
'Channel 5 are going to film the renovation process and the excitement of the opening months, so it will be good for me to be challenged in the way that I challenge others on The Hotel Inspector!”
