MAINTAINING four star status for an 18th century building needs constant investment.

Hence the latest £1 million pound investment in the Ramada Fairfield Manor York, which has seen the upgrading of all 89 rooms, plus major refurbishment of the communal areas and conference facilities.

Now the hotel, in Shipton Road, York, which employs 70 people, is hoping to win the Best Tourism And Hospitality title in The Press Business Awards 2007.

Built as a Georgian mansion in 1725 by local dignitary John Kilby, the building changed hands many times before being taken into the Ramada Jarvis group in 1997.

The staff take seriously their role as top Yorkshire hosts. Earlier this year, 130 enthusiasts of the Citröen SM marque used the hotel as a base to explore the Yorkshire Dales and York.