Work has begun on the multi-million pound refurbishment of the five-star Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh.

In a project which will increase the number of bedrooms as well as creating a luxurious Grand Suite and exclusive "Club" floor.

The works will be completed by July 2010, with a first stage completion in April. A significant effort is being made to minimise disruption to guests at the 25-year old hotel, whose bedrooms will receive a complete transformation.

"This is a significant development for the Sheraton Grand, which has an iconic status in Edinburgh and is a major international attraction for visitors to the UK," explained Currie & Brown's project director Hamilton Kennedy.

"It is important that the work is organised and delivered in a way that is sensitive to the fact that the hotel provides a top-class service that must be maintained while the refurbishment work takes place."

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Currie & Brown is providing Project Management, Cost Management and Construction Design and Management Co-ordinator (CDMC) services. The main contractor is Ogilvie Construction, and the new rooms have been designed by MKV Design, a leading interior design company specialising in the international hospitality sector.

General Manager of the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, J P Kavanagh, said: "It was time to completely improve and enhance the rooms product with this sizeable investment in Edinburgh's largest conference hotel.

"As the economy begins to recover the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa will be in an enviable position, poised to leverage our renovated product and offer guests Sheraton's signature brand offerings at one of Scotland's leading hotels.

"We are already starting to see growth in occupancy, particularly in the important corporate market which is very encouraging," he said.

Each of the 268 bedrooms will enjoy a complete refurbishment and enhancement. The rooms will also feature spacious bathrooms encapsulated in glass, creating a sense of space with bath and separate walk-in showers.

The development will create a "Club" floor at the top of the hotel, providing guests with an enhanced level of service and a "hotel within a hotel" concept.

All Club floor rooms will include continental breakfast, evening drinks and canapés in the private Club lounge, complimentary wi-fi and use of One Spa's exclusive top floor facilities.

The exclusive Grand Suite will be the hotel's most luxurious offering with spectacular views of the iconic Edinburgh Castle.

(GK/BMcC)