Salamanca Inn renovations nearing completion as hotel gets ready to welcome back restaurant and bar patrons

The owner-operators of a popular Hobart hotel spent their COVID-19 downtime working on more than $1 million of renovations, with their revamped restaurant set to open on Friday. SEE THE PICTURES >>

Co-owner-operators of the Salamanca Inn Phil and Andrew Fuglsang are in the process of a huge renovation at the hotel. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THE Fuglsang brothers have drawn on their Danish heritage for inspiration in renovating their popular Hobart hotel and restaurant during the COVID-19 downtime.

Co-owner-operators of the Salamanca Inn, Phil and Andrew Fuglsang have put their own blood, sweat and tears into an extensive revamp of the 4.5 star hotel, which their parents built in 1988.

EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT WHEN WE CAN LEAVE TASMANIA

The new look dining area. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The pair will have spent more than $1 million on the renovation when it is finished in eight to 10 weeks.

“We were full steam ahead in January and February, ready to launch in March, and then COVID hit,” Andrew said.

“We worked on this ourselves — we pulled up the carpet, knocked down walls and got involved in the whole process to keep us busy during all this uncertainty.

“We don’t know what the future holds, but you can try to be as resilient as you can and get other people back into work and get our regular patrons back.”

LIST: 17 BUSINESSES FOR SALE ACROSS TASMANIA

With a Scandinavian feel throughout the hotel, the reception area has been fitted, the kitchen gutted, the pool redone and the entrance redesigned.

The new look bar area. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The restaurant will be relaunching as Birdsong on Friday afternoon.

Phil said Fuglsang translated to birdsong, and the new restaurant would offer modern Australian cuisine with a focus on local, seasonal produce.

Initially, to comply with social distancing rules, 20 guests can be accommodated in the bar area and 20 in the separate restaurant space.

Phil said it was exciting to be able to welcome customers back.

“It’s been a dark period, so it’ll be nice to get that connection with the community back,” Phil said.

“We put 35 of our team on JobKeeper and everyone’s a bit over staying at home.

“Even our assistant general manager is in here painting and helping out, and our chefs are coming in and helping clean, and it’s all voluntary.

“Being a family business, we’re a tight knit group.”