York, England, unveiled its first five-star property, the Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa, housed in what was once the city's North Eastern Railways Headquarters.
The 107-room hotel, which opened in May 2010, combines modern and traditional decor, a restaurant that serves locally grown and regional fare, a swimming pool and gym, and an open-air roof garden.
High-tech amenities include electrical outlets that accept North American, British and European plugs and TV stations activated to receive channels from the guest's home country.
Rooms are priced from about $185 per night. Details can be found at www.cedarcourthotels.co.uk.