THIS is the stunning view that will greet visitors at Bournemouth’s new £60million Hilton Hotel development.

Work on two new hotels and a block of flats at Terrace Mount in the town centre is currently in its final stages, with the first hotel due to open in May.

This will be a three star ‘Hampton by Hilton’ hotel, while a top-end Hilton hotel, which it’s hoped will achieve a five star rating, will open in the winter. The third piece of the development is a block of around 59 flats.

Yesterday the managers of both hotels visited the site to check on progress and talk about their plans.

Cedric Horgnies, who will manage the landmark hotel at the front of the site, has previously opened Hilton Hotels at Liverpool, Glasgow and Brussels and comes to Bournemouth from Hilton’s Gatwick hotel.

He first came to Bournemouth more than a decade ago to study at the university and said he was “delighted” to return.

“It’s very, very exciting to come back and to a hotel in such a wonderful location,” he said.

“We’re excited about the prospect of bringing a five star touch to Bournemouth and also the Sky Bar, which is an offer that’s not there at the moment.”

The 172-bed hotel will employ up to 200 people in high season and will also offer a swimming pool, fine dining restaurant and spa. The Sky Bar at the very top of the 14-storey hotel will make the most of the hotel’s enviable position and sea views.

The 120-bed Hampton Hotel will create up to 50 jobs in high season and will offer free grilled breakfasts, free wifi and a reception and bar open 24 hours a day.

Hotel manager Daniel Riley said: “The only thing that stops us from being a four star is the add ons, like the swimming pool.

“It will be an interesting addition to the town. I don’t think we will take business away from anyone, we will bring more interest into the area.”