THE Grand Hotel’s multi-million pound 100-room extension has opened.

The expansion is part of a £15 million redevelopment at the York site, which has seen the hotel nearly double its number of luxury bedrooms.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, and Lord Mayor of York Cllr Barbara Boyce, cut the ribbon to officially open the extension yesterday.

Mr Verity said: “Since the hotel opened eight years ago it’s gone from strength to strength, continually adding to the luxury experience it offers its visitors.

“Welcome to Yorkshire is very proud to be associated with the enhancement of such an iconic and historically important building, which I’m sure will continue to attract more tourists from across the world.”

A spokesman for the five star hotel and spa said the development will generate an extra £1.7 million for the city’s economy every year thanks to the spending power of its extra guests.

Philip Bolson, general manager of the hotel, said: “Our new rooms will undoubtedly provide an incredible boost to the York tourism and leisure economy, and expand our luxury offering to leisure and business travellers from around the world.”

The new rooms are inspired by the building’s Edwardian history as the former headquarters of the North Eastern Railway and will complement the hotels existing 107 bedrooms.

The new rooms boast marble bathrooms, luxury bathing products and Egyptian cotton linen. The refurbishment includes plans for a new arrivals lounge, with work set to begin on the reception area in the spring. The hotel has also opened a new restaurant, The Rise, and refurbished its existing eaterie, Hudsons by Craig Atchinson.