Olga and Alex Polizzi have opened the doors of their newest venture, The Star, Alfriston, in East Sussex.

After purchasing the property in November 2019, the pair immediately embarked on the total renovation. Everything has been rebuilt and revamped with Olga’s design skills and Alex’s extensive hotel experience.

Initially opening to resident guests only, the 30-key hotel features a restaurant with its own Mediterranean-style inner courtyard, as well as all-day dining in the oldest part of the development, known as The Inn.

“It is really exciting that we are finally able to open,” says Alex on the announcement. “Our team has worked incredibly hard to get us to this point. I cannot wait to start welcoming guests after this tumultuous year.”

Olga comments: “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 were immediately interested in the project. We want it to be an integral part of the community and provide a welcoming environment for all.”

To begin, floor-to-ceiling windows were installed throughout much of the 1960s part of the building, and some of the smaller guestrooms have been combined to form larger spaces. Many of the rooms in the wing now have small private patios or Juliet balconies too, while one Junior Suite has its very own terrace.

All the guestrooms have been designed in Olga’s style, using contemporary furniture and local antiques, English wallpapers and fabrics by Richard Smith, with splashes of bold colours and textures. Some of the furniture in the new Sixties wing is by Julian Chichester and other pieces are bespoke one-offs bought locally.

Tim Kensett – formerly of The River Café – is Head Chef and serves simple dishes with a focus on clarity of flavour at the 60-cover restaurant, which features a black and white stencilled Elizabethan design on the floor, painted by local artist Amanda Lawrence. The ever-changing seasonal menus favour Sussex produce, while over at The Inn – with its open fires and oak beams – there’s local beers for residents to savour.

The library meanwhile is a sanctuary for guests to enjoy a drink or play one or two of the boardgames. Its bookshelves are packed with poetry, short stories and novels by British authors, and there is a section dedicated to local history, flora and fauna. The space also has a secret door that opens into the restaurant.

Efforts are being made to reduce the carbon footprint at The Star by minimising food waste; cutting down the amount sent to laundry; banning all single use plastics and encouraging suppliers to do the same; adopting biodegradable cane sugar refillable bathroom containers; and using glass refillable water bottles throughout operations. Its website hosting is carbon neutral too, while electricity is from renewable sources.

The Grade II Listed, 16th century building is set in the medieval village of Alfriston on the meandering Cuckmere River and is close the sea as well as the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters. In the heart of the South Downs National Park, it is also near to the historic town of Lewes and to both Glyndebourne Opera House and Charleston art gallery, whilst the Rathfinny Wine Estate is located on the edge of the picturesque village.