AN HISTORIC hotel in Harrogate has joined one of the UK's luxury hotel groups, as work continues on its £5 million refurbishment.

The Old Swan Hotel, on Swan Road, built in 1840 and famous for being the hotel where whodunit novelist Agatha Christie was found after losing her memory, is to be overseen by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts.

Macdonald Hotels and Resorts - based in Edinburgh - operates more than 60 hotels across the UK and controls a business with an annual turnover in the region of £250 million.

Paul Gill, the Old Swan Hotel's general manager, said: "Macdonald Hotels are highly respected in the industry and have a portfolio of luxury properties throughout England and Scotland," he said.

All of the Old Swan's 136 bedrooms and bathrooms are being refurbished.

The third floor has already been completed and progress is well underway on the second floor

By the time the revamp is completed next month, the hotel's eight conference suites and restaurants will also be transformed and the indoor Garden Room rebuilt.

Updated: 10:21 Tuesday, January 17, 2006