THE Royal Ascot cash bonanza awaiting York hoteliers emerged today as one major venue revealed it expected to charge a whopping £500 a night.

The Marriott Hotel, sited in a plum position overlooking the racecourse, is planning to charge almost treble its normal rate of £180.

It has also received 2,500 inquiries about vacancies for 108 rooms during the race meet.

Manager Wayne Topley predicted: "Business levels are going to be unprecedented.

"We're looking at charging about £500 for dinner, bed and breakfast. We're confident people will pay those prices.

"At Ascot, hotels sell out in a 25-mile radius."

He said that no rooms were sold yet as exact festival dates were to be confirmed.

But Mr Topley said Ebor regulars, who normally pay £250 a night, will get first refusal from a list now standing at 1,000 names.

Meanwhile, city tourism bosses denied York hotels were cashing in on Ascot, which normally attracts about 300,000 people.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau said no complaints had been received about prices hikes relating to the city's in-demand 12,000 hotel beds. "There's no doubt the event will see the city's hotels and guest houses full to the brim," she said.

"Approximately two-thirds of city accommodation has already been booked.

"Some accommodation providers are, however, not taking bookings at present because exact dates have not yet been officially confirmed."

"York's hoteliers have taken advice from those close to Royal Ascot racecourse in order to set fair prices."

She said: "We do not believe hotels are cashing in, but setting a fair price the market will withstand. In most cases this rate is higher than the hotels' usual rack rate.

"However, there has been a mixed response, with some accommodation providers keen to stick to usual rates.

"We would be most concerned if we had received any complaints about the increase in rates for Royal Ascot but we haven't had any."

People hoping to attend Ascot in York who are unhappy with hotel prices will face similar private rental problems. The Evening Press revealed how one resident reportedly secured £7,000 for rental during the festival.

The Queen, however, will probably not be affected. Reports yesterday indicated if she attends the festival in York she will stay at the Earl of Halifax's Garrowby residence.

Updated: 10:49 Wednesday, November 26, 2003