ONE of York's top hotels is up for sale.

The Viking Moat House is being sold by the Queens Moat House Hotel chain, which is keeping both the sale price and response close to its chest.

But the marketing of the 200-bedroom hotel on the bank of the Ouse in North Street includes the sale of nine others in the UK.

The full package of ten hotels is expected to generate a total of £100 million - an average yield per hotel of more than £10 million.

All of them, including the Viking Moat House, are being sold through Christie & Company, the London auctioneers and estate agents, involving what are believed to be closed bids.

As part of a massive £236 million general restructuring of Queens Moat Houses plc's debt, the chain has already sold nine other hotels to Jefferson Hotels for about £100 million, with eight of them to be leased to Rezidor SAS and rebranded as Park Inns.

A spokeswoman for the Queens Moat House Hotel chain said: "The decision to offer York Moat House for sale is part of the new corporate strategy for the group and has been realised following a detailed review in which we operate."

Shaun Robins, general manager of the Viking Moat House, referred all questions to Queens Moat House head office, but said that he expected to stay on at the hotel, whoever the new owner would be. "I love York," he said.

He also disclosed that prospective buyers had already visited the hotel.

So what does a buyer get for their multi-million pound bid? -

An eight-storey Tower block consisting of 126 bedrooms and purpose-built in the 1960s

An adjoining four-floor garden block, with 74 rooms added in 1982

A huge Waterfront Restaurant with 170 covers

The Lounge Regatta Bar, with capacity for 50 people

Extensive conference facilities, including the Henley and Regatta Suites capable of holding gatherings of 400 people

A gym with shower room, fitness studios, beauty salon and solarium

Parking for 90 vehicles.

Updated: 10:45 Friday, January 13, 2006