Owner Debbie Low decided to start at the top when she embarked on a total makeover for a landmark Orkney hotel.

Now the initial phase of the refurbishment is nearing completion - with the third floor of the Kirkwall Hotel upgraded to meet the demands of the 21st century tourism market.

Rooms on the first and second floors will also be given a comprehensive overhaul in future years, the next steps in an ambitious project that will completely transform the town's largest hotel.

The third floor makeover is costing £225,000 and is being supported with the help of a £66,000 funding package from Orkney Enterprise, part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network.  The project has also received funding from Orkney Islands Council.

Orkney Enterprise development manager Graeme Harrison said: "The Kirkwall Hotel is a familiar landmark for travellers to the islands and a key local tourism asset.  The enterprise network is happy to support the hotel's owners in their efforts to raise overall standards in the accommodation and service they provide.

"Hopefully, positive customer feedback as a result of this first phase of the hotel's overall redevelopment will encourage Debbie and her team with their planned programme of future improvements."

The ultimate aim is to secure three-star status for the hotel from the national tourism agency, VisitScotland.

Mrs Low said: "The total refurbishment of a 44 bedroom hotel is a massive task.  That is why we decided to tackle the project one step at a time - starting on the top floor and working our way down.

"It is a lovely old building, with loads of character and a great location on the Kirkwall harbour front.  The rooms have wonderful views but badly need to be brought up to scratch so they reflect the reputation for good food and friendly service we have been working so hard to achieve."

When the first phase of the project is completed early next month, the third floor will have 16 en-suite rooms, two designed with families in mind, one of them with full disabled access.

"The rooms had become very old fashioned," Mrs Low explained. "We have preserved traditional features like their beautiful wooden doors, but the rooms themselves have been completely transformed.  They look fresh and modern and the beds are guaranteed to give a comfy night's sleep."

Meeting the requirements of discerning modern travellers is seen as vital in securing the future prosperity of a business that employs 38 full and part time staff at the height of the busy summer season.

Mrs Low continued: "The feedback we are getting is really encouraging with guests making return visits and asking specifically to stay in the refurbished rooms.  It's been a huge investment for us to get this project off the ground and we simply could not have done it without the assistance from Orkney Enterprise."

Orkney firms are being used to carry out the overhaul of the third floor rooms, with furnishings purchased locally as well.  The hotel offers a special accommodation rate to Orkney residents, with guests from throughout the islands making regular visits.

Madaline Lyner, from Harray, said: "It is a friendly hotel and I like to stay when snow stops me getting home or when I have come off the ferry from Aberdeen late at night.  The rooms on the third floor are completely different - so much more comfortable from the way they used to be."