HAMPTON -- The owners of the Ashworth by the Sea held a grand reopening party Tuesday, May 11 to celebrate the new contemporary look of the hotel's lounge and restaurant at Hampton Beach.

"Our goal was to give the lounge and restaurant a fresh new look while retaining the charm of this historic oceanfront hotel," said Peter Coutis, general manager of the hotel.

The hotel, located 295 Ocean Blvd., recently completed renovating its Breakers Restaurant and Lounge. Pro Con Inc. of Manchester was the architect and construction manager for the $900,000 project.

New oversized oceanfront windows provide enhanced views, the service bar is enlarged with a granite counter and there is a new raised stone hearth fireplace.

The area also received all new interior finishes including wall coverings, custom millwork, carpeting, wood flooring, furniture and lighting.

Mark Stebbins, one of the principal owners of the hotel, said they have wanted to update the lounge and restaurant for a while.

The last time the lounge — which had more of a Tavern feel — was updated was in 1988.

"It was time," Stebbins said. "It's been about over 20 years."

Stebbins said they basically combined the lounge and restaurant.

"What we tried to do was make it one big room rather than two separate rooms," Stebbins said. The bar now completely wraps around what was once two separate and distinct rooms.

The place accommodates more people and the popular dance floor has been enlarged.

"There are very few places to dance and have a good time and we feel the Ashworth is the place to be," Coutis said.

The renovations of the lounge and hotel were done during the winter months.

Pro Con Inc. implemented a two-phased construction schedule, enabling the hotel to remain fully operational during the renovations. The first phase began in January 2010 and was completed in March. The second phase was completed in early May, in time for Memorial Day weekend and the hotel's busy summer season.

This is the third major renovation the hotel has undergone in recent years. In May 2007, Pro Con Inc. completed interior renovations to the hotel's lobby, 105 guest rooms, corridors, rest rooms and fitness room, and in 2008, the Sand Bar on the hotel's outside upper deck was completely renovated.

The Ashworth by the Sea is a full-service, oceanfront resort hotel that is open year-round and has been a Hampton Beach landmark for over 90 years. The historic hotel is owned by Schleicher and Stebbins Hotels, and is operated by Colwen Management Company of Nashua.