An award-winning hotel and health club in Congresbury is to become part of the world-famous Hilton group.

Cadbury House Hotel Health Club and Spa is to be re-branded as the Doubletree by Hilton, following a franchise deal between the hotel and Hilton Group.

The deal took several months to bring together and is expected to be signed and sealed by December.

The changes will mean the four-star, 72-bedroom boutique hotel will display the exclusive logo which is synonymous with only the best hotels across the world.

Launched in the UK 12 months ago, there are only three other venues in the country that trade under the Doubletree brand, in Aberdeen, Cambridge and Chester.

Cadbury House managing director and co-owner Nick Taplin said: "This is a real coup for Cadbury House and raises the standard for hoteliers across the region.

"Since opening we've enjoyed huge success across all our business sectors and this new deal will only help raise the level of service our guests now come to expect.

"The management team is to remain unchanged and it will be business as usual."

To reach the standards required by the Doubletree brand, the management team at Cadbury House has been hard at work, spending around £500,000 upgrading and improving the facilities.

The work includes a full IT and system upgrade, the building of a brand new business lounge, the provision of air conditioning in all function rooms and the refurbishment of all bedrooms.

Mark Hands, group general manager, added: "We're delighted that we've reached an agreement with Doubletree.

"It's a true reflection of the high quality accommodation and service we currently provide at Cadbury House.

"We're also keen to stress that we are totally committed to keeping the hotel's individuality because without its character Cadbury House just wouldn't be the same.

"The South West currently lacks a quality brand like Doubletree and this deal truly raises the bar for other hotels to aspire to."