THE oldest hotel on the Isles of Scilly has reopened after a £250,000 facelift.

The vast majority of the bedrooms and bathrooms at Tregarthen's Hotel in St Mary's have been completely refurbished in time for the start of the 2010 season.

The new rooms were officially opened by Alistair Handyside, chairman of South West Tourism, at a lunch attended by more than 50 business leaders with interests in tourism on the islands.

Mr Handyside said: "Tourism in the South West must constantly aim to raise quality standards so we can compete with world-class destinations round the globe.

"The Isles of Scilly are a jewel in the crown of the South West and it is fantastic to see this investment by Tregarthen's Hotel, which sets a new standard in quality accommodation on St Mary's. It is this kind of investment that will keep tourism in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly buzzing."

Malcolm Bell, head of tourism at VisitCornwall, said: "Tourism is the biggest industry in the world, as well as the fastest-growing, which results in more and more competition and that's why it is great to see this level of investment to ensure Tregarthen's goes from strength to strength and continues to compete in the decades ahead.

"I congratulate the management and the team for their excellent product and their commitment to customer service which, combined with this latest investment, will I am sure be an excellent launch pad for an even more prosperous future."

The refurbishment marked the latest phase of the hotel's redevelopment. Most of the investment was spread between other local businesses.

The builders and decorators were Brian Jepson Ltd, of Camborne, and bathroom fittings and tiles came from the Redruth branch of City Plumbing. Project management and design was by St Ives-based Hospitality Solutions.

Soft furnishings were supplied by Iroka Interiors of Hayle, and the carpets from Falmouth-based Richard Cook.

Even the artwork for the bedroom walls was completed by St Mary's-based artist Steve Sherris.

Hotel director Trevor Richards said: "Tregarthen's was opened as the first hotel on Scilly 160 years ago, when Captain Tregarthen started taking paying guests across on his packet ship.

"Since those early days, the hotel has continued to lead the market and this marks the next phase of the hotel's development. The investment reflects the directors' confidence in the future of tourism in Scilly."

Jeff Marston, chairman of Island Marketing, said: "If tourism in the Isles of Scilly is to prosper, it is vital that we keep making strides forward and improving the customer experience.

"The new-look rooms at Tregarthen's will help attract new visitors to the islands. It is a very exciting development that is likely to have a cascade effect for other businesses on the Isles of Scilly."

Tregarthen's Hotel was founded in 1848 by Captain Frank Tregarthen, who ran the steam packet Little Western delivering mail, provisions and visitors between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly.

He began to bring visitors with him to the island of St Mary's to stay at his house, which soon became the first hotel on the Isles of Scilly.

The hotel still has at its heart Captain Tregarthen's original living quarters. Lord Alfred Tennyson is said to have penned Enoch Arden during his stay there.