Hotel guests woke up in one hotel having gone to bed in another. Or so it seemed.

Staff worked through the night to transform the Hilton Brighton West Pier Hotel into the Holiday Inn Brighton-Seafront.

The carpet displaying the Hilton logo was pulled up and everything was changed in the hotel, including toiletries, signs and clocks.

The operation continued yesterday to ensure everything was swapped in the guests' rooms and the Holiday Inn flag was raised outside at 4pm once the hotel had been checked.

General manager Paul Wright said: "The guests went to bed in a Hilton and by the morning it had been changed.

"Staff worked overnight, whisking around to check everything had been swapped and we're now celebrating with a glass of champagne."

Guests were also given champagne to mark the occasion yesterday.

Up to 200 balloons with prize vouchers attached to them will be released at 3pm this afternoon outside the hotel.

People who find one of the balloons could win anything from a dinner for two or a complimentary bottle of wine from the newly-named hotel.

The hotel was one of seven Hilton hotels which the Holiday Inn chain bought in April.

Wednesday, October 5, 2005