A £5 million upgrade for the Park Avenue Hotel in east Belfast paid dividends when it was announced today it had achieved four star status.

The family owned 56-bedroom hotel which employs 100 staff has recently completed a makeover and improvements to its bedrooms, bar, restaurant and conference centre.

The extra star was awarded following an inspection by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

Hotel director Mandy Martin, grand-daughter of founder Harry Stephens, said the accolade was a tribute to the employees as well as recognition of improved quality standards.

"The Park Avenue Hotel is in a unique position in that it is a family business with very strong local ties and a proven track record of commitment to the community.

"But the business is also central to the bigger tourism picture providing east Belfast with a quality boutique-style hotel which attracts an enviable occupancy level," she said.

That occupancy level had risen sharply in the last five years and peaked at almost 100% in 2008, said the hotel.

While the global recession has had some impact on visitor numbers, the hotel remains busy and the family remain confident the tourism sector will see it through the economic downturn.

"We take a very long term view and this has always been the case since the hotel was established in 1963.

"By committing the investment which was entirely financed by the hotel without public subsidy, we are expressing confidence in the sector and the continuing development and realisation of the potential for east Belfast, the wider city and Northern Ireland to become a mainstream destination."