The Grand opens its door to a five star future

YORK’S first five star hotel has opened its doors following a two year £25m redevelopment project.

Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa now boasts 107 bedrooms including 13 suites with butler services and a £750 a night penthouse.

Many of the rooms in the Grade II building have views of the historic York Wall and York’s spectacular Minster.

The Grand’s public areas include a cocktail bar, whisky lounge, the HQ Restaurant and a spa, which opens next month.

Well-known mixologist Wayne Collins trained the bar staff in cocktail preparation and presentation and created the ‘Grand Cocktail’, which is unique to the hotel.

The hotel’s transformation is an ambition come true for founder George Demetriou.

He said: “This is a very proud day for me, my family and all of the Cedar Court Hotels team. When I first started in business 50 years ago in York it was my dream to one day open a five-star hotel, and now that dream has come true.

“We’re now looking forward to becoming a focal point of tourism in York and the Yorkshire region.”

Mr Demetriou’s nine-year-old grandson Alex Georgiou cut the ribbon to signal the hotel’s opening.

The Grand was built in 1906 for the North Eastern Railway Company and is one of the city’s most iconic buildings.