THIS stunning view of York Racecourse could persuade some Ascot racegoers to leave the hustle and bustle of the track behind.

The lucky visitors who have booked this, and 17 other suites, at York's Marriott Hotel will see Knavesmire in all its glory during this week's racing.

The hotel, which overlooks Knavesmire, has been undergoing a £4.2 million renovation and extension in the last few months.

Now, Grandstand and Penthouse room holders need barely to leave their rooms to see the best of the action at Royal Ascot at York.

Each of the rooms has a balcony and they are are already fully booked up for Ascot week. The extension has added an extra 51 rooms to the hotel total.

Craig Ewan, general manager, said the view from the rooms was "absolutely stunning". "It is better than we expected it would be," he said.

"It is a view which is certainly worth paying for. Some of our guests have taken the rooms just for the view. They are not even going to the racecourse. We have working towards Ascot for more than a year and people have been flocking once they heard of the view."

Rooms at the Tadcaster Road hotel all come equipped with individual climate control, internet access and a work desk, for the business traveller, and voice mail. The hotel now has 151 rooms.

Guests will also be able to relax when not at the racecourse by sampling the heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, gym and outdoor tennis court.

Mr Ewan said: "We have also refurbished all of the rooms in the existing hotel. We have spent a considerable amount of money on this project - some £4.2 million - and, once Royal Ascot has finished, it will leave a great legacy for the hotel."

Denis Wilkie, operations manager at Ascot, will be the guest speaker at a black tie dinner to celebrate the opening of the extension on July 1.

Updated: 11:01 Tuesday, June 14, 2005