Staff at the George Hotel in Colchester's High Street put their feet up and celebrated the millennium with family and friends as the hotel was shut for refurbishment.
Owner Michael Slagle, who bought the hotel in 1994, said he decided to shut over the millennium 18 months ago. The closure meant the hotel could be refurbished with wooden floors being repolished and ceilings repainted.
He said it would not be practical to redecorate many areas of the hotel while guests were staying.
Ten bedrooms were also getting a makeover complete with new bathroom furniture and air conditioning.
The hotel will reopen on Monday January 10.
The outside of the hotel was repainted during the autumn and four years ago the hotel had a major refurbishment.
Mr Slagle said: "It's a bit like the Forth Bridge, you have to keep on decorating to keep it nice."
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