Member Article

York hotel gets extra star after £3 million construction project completed

York’s BEST WESTERN Monkbar Hotel has completed a major extension as part of a £3 million improvement scheme which has bumped the hotel’s grade up to four stars.

The construction company that worked on the project, Healthcare Developments Ltd, of Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire normally specialises in building nursing homes and care facilities has “topped off” this as its first hotel project.

The third floor extension sees another 29 bedrooms added as well as a function suite.

Monkbar Hotel general manager Graham Usher said: “We are delighted with the work of the HDS team, and we are looking forward to being able to have the new bedrooms and function suite in use just before Christmas.

“This scheme, which also includes the refurbishment of our existing public and guest rooms, will lift our BEST WESTERN status from three star to four star plus.

“It will also herald the way for the introduction of new food & beverage experiences for residential guests, diners and conference delegates alike.”

HDS site manager John Thompson said: “We have successfully worked with the hotel’s owners on a number of nursing home projects in the past, hence them turning to us for this extension.

“Since our launch in 1995, we have completed more than 100 projects, including nursing homes, day nurseries and retirement flats. By the end of this year we will be able to add hotels to our growing list.

“We arrived on site in early May and the ‘topping off’ took place this week. The good news is we are on schedule to have all our work completed in time for Christmas.”

The Monkbar Hotel was purchased in 2007 by Shiva Hotels, which owns venues in London, Derby, Manchester and Coventry, and recently opened two Hampton by Hilton hotels at Waterloo and Gatwick.

Shiva Hotels sister company, Shiva Nursing Homes, owns a number of nursing homes around the country.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .