THE new Hampton by Hilton hotel is hoping to attract more American visitors to York after it was officially launched by the Lord Mayor of York.

Coun Keith Hyman arrived at the hotel in a New York-style taxi and a performer sang New York, New York for the launch event of the new Toft Green hotel.

Victoria Burnham, general manager of the 119-bedroom hotel, said: “We’re in a fantastic location in a fantastic city, and the hotel has been designed to meet the needs of both business and leisure guests.

“We’ve already seen good occupancy rates from visitors who enjoy quality accommodation, a free hot breakfast, meeting rooms and other facilities combined with proactive, friendly service – all backed by the 100 per cent Hampton Guarantee.”

Kishor Majithia, managing director of Avantis Hotels, which owns the hotel, said they chose to open the hotel in York, its 12th in the UK, because hotel occupancy in York is the highest outside London and Edinburgh.

“We already see our occupancy comprises quite a lot of American tourists,” he said.