WORK at the four-star York Marriott Hotel has got off to a flying start.

The upmarket hotel in Tadcaster Road, Dringhouses, whose grounds overlook York's famous racecourse, is undergoing a £3.5 million investment.

Work is on schedule to be completed in time for the start of the next race season when Ascot comes to Knavesmire.

The hotel - midweek room rate £130 bed & breakfast - is a flagship location for Whitbread Hotel Company, operator of Marriott Hotels in the UK under a franchise agreement with Marriott International. The company is adding 43 bedrooms taking the number of bedrooms from 108 to 151.

These include 16 new Grandstand Rooms being built in a new extension on the gable end of the building and featuring floor to ceiling French doors to take advantage of the stunning view overlooking the racecourse.

All bedrooms, including the two private Penthouse Grandstands on the fourth floor, will be fully refurbished and seven out of ten of the new bedrooms are being redesigned as double-double bedrooms, to meet the demands of international travellers and perfect for families. Corridors are also being upgraded.

Extensive customer research conducted among meeting and conference organisers, earlier this year has resulted in an improved meeting room, including air-conditioning, enhanced lighting levels and new ergonomically tested furniture.

Also new are new food and beverage standards including mini-bar fridges serving a selection of fruit juices in every meeting room and Costa Coffee machines in delegates' breakout areas.

At the same time, the Hotel Management Centre will also undergo a makeover as will the main banqueting suite and the hotel bar and main restaurant.

Craig Ewan, general manager of the York Marriott Hotel, said: "The investment clearly recognises the importance to the Marriott portfolio in the UK. It is a clear indication that the company has full trust in the City's potential for business visitors and leisure tourism alike."

Updated: 10:32 Thursday, November 25, 2004