When the Randolph Hotel went up in flames on April 17 last year general manager Michael Grange was told all the damage might be repaired within 12 weeks.

But the prediction of a year-long refurbishment whispered in Mr Grange's ear by a less optimistic person proved more accurate.

Last week after £7 million of work by more than 235 tradesmen over 12 months, the scaffolding around the hotel finally came down, though some finishing touches are still being added.

Mr Grange said he was delighted the work, which involved all 151 bedrooms being completely overhauled, was finished at last.

He said: "I still remember the day very well, it has been a long year since then.

"We have tried to minimise the inconvenience to guests but it was fabulous when we took the scaffolding down.

"The three-week closure after the fire was the first time the hotel had been closed in its 150 year history.

"We thought all the work would be finished by September, then it was before Christmas.

"It all took longer than anticipated.

"Someone did whisper in my ear at the start that it would probably be a year's job but I was inclined not to believe him."

The work was slowed down by requirements imposed because the building is Grade II listed.

One such requirement meant the roof needed to be repaired using European redwood, which took a long time to track down.

Some wallpaper in the main stairway still has not been replaced as it too is listed but the company which made it for generations has gone out of existence.

Before the blaze broke out in the kitchen of the hotel, renovations to the bedrooms had been planned, but the fire sped up the refurbishment.

Mr Grange said: "It was all brought forward because we thought we could not possible go on with a revamp after the fire repairs were done.

"It was perfect really, although not in the circumstances we would have liked of course.

"We are going to have an executive lounge, they are still working on that.

"There will be 20 rooms which will come with access to it."

The hotel's famous Acanthus Restaurant was completely overhauled after suffering badly in the fire.

Part of its redevelopment saw it expanded into part of the kitchen where the blaze started when a flambé beef got out of control.

The extension, known as the observatory dining area, allows diners to look through a long window into the kitchen where their meals are prepared.

The Cartoon Room, named for the Victorian cartoons that adorn its walls, has also been redeveloped and will begin a new life as The Cartoon Bar next to the Acanthus.

Some minor finishing touches are still being applied, including repairs to the stained glass windows in the main stairway, which have been in place since the hotel opened in 1866.

Small holes were smashed in them by firefighters so hoses could be fed through to fight the flames.

Mr Grange said: "The thing I am most excited about is the observatory dining area.

"I am really exited about that and we are moving towards more affordable dining.

"It is just a sense of relief and delight that we are running as a normal hotel again."