THE owner of Marlow's long anticipated hotel finally showcased exactly what will be built after more than three years of planning and replanning.

Hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, a swimming pool and a restaurant are all set to transform a muddy spot in Marlow into a 'concept hotel'.

Mango Hotels, which is building the four star deluxe Crowne Plaza, gave a presentation at Harleyford Golf Club on Wednesday.

Councillors and business leaders welcomed the plans and described the hotel as a great addition to the town, despite many bitter objections over the last few years.

Work has officially started at the £20 million site in Fieldhouse Lane off the Marlow Road. When finished next summer it will offer 168 bedrooms, conferencing and function facilities, a 9,500 sq ft leisure club, a restaurant and outdoor hot tubs overlooking the gravel pit lakes.

The group, which has already joined Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce, says it hopes to be heavily involved with the local community.

Louis Woodcock, director of Mango Hotels, said at the presentation: "Marlow is a special place to build a hotel because it is such a marvellous community and a very pretty part of Britain. We certainly hope to become a big player in the local community. We have joined the chamber, are supporting the rowing in June and have joined the ski club to help keep that going."

After the talk, Ron Waters of the Marlow Society, which was one of the strongest objectors against the initial plans, said: "We originally objected to the design but that is behind us now. We go along with a hotel on this site of this nature."

However, Mr Waters did voice concern about access to the site.

Guests at the hotel will have to come off the Marlow by-pass and travel down Parkway through Globe Park, along Fieldhouse Lane, past the Oasis gym, under the by-pass and down a newly built road to the hotel.

Colin Berks, president of the Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said after the presentation: "We have got to be excited and welcome the hotel after all the years we have waited. We very much welcome their involvement with the community."

This is the first time the Mango has built a Crowne Plaza away from a city centre or an airport.