Things have changed for the better since then and the Bumpstead Road hotel has been named Days Inn UK Hotel Of The Year 2007.

The hotel achieved the best score of around 50 Days Inns and Days Hotels in the UK and Republic of Ireland, ending just 41 points away from a perfect score.

Following the hotel's reopening at the end of March 2007 it was anticipated the approaching Easter period would be good for business, but what has happened since has come as a surprise.

Hotel manager Donna Revell said: "In May the room sales just rocketed, with Newmarket races and weddings.

"We predicted the weekday trade but not how well we would do at weekends."

As of March 25, 2008, the hotel has taken 10,582 reservations, with more than 15,000 guests staying.

It is proving popular for wedding receptions – a new dance floor has been installed – and has just seen its longest-staying guest leave after six months.

Days Inn Haverhill now has corporate agreements with 53 local businesses, provides accommodation for Newmarket Racecourse chefs, sponsors the CB9 Awards, is a venue for Haverhill Chamber of Commerce meetings and housed people left temporarily homeless by last year's floods in nearby villages.

Pivotal to the hotel's success, said Donna, is its staff: "I think it comes down to the team. We have invested a lot of money in their training and they are key really."

The next progression for the hotel is to increase its number of meeting rooms.

Belinda Atkins, for Days Inn at Wyndham Hotel Group International, said: "The award puts the hotel at the top of the ladder as the best run Days Inn in the group.

"It's an outstanding achievement and Donna Revell and her team are an inspiration for all our other Days Inns."