LITTLE ROCK (AP) ¿ Built using a cast-iron facade shipped in pieces from New York, the Capital Hotel opened to great fanfare in 1877, with rooms going for up to $4 a day.

Today, guests can pay up to $500 to stay at the hotel, which reopened on November 19 after two years of renovations that added several modern electronic touches to the luxury that was already its hallmark.

The building at Markham and Louisiana in downtown Little Rock was erected as an office and retail building in 1872 and converted into a hotel five years later. An unidentified Little Rock woman christened it, saying: "I can think of no name more appropriate than The Capital Hotel, as it is a capital enterprise located in a capital building, which will do honour to the capital of the state."

The retooled Capital Hotel reopened yesterday after two years ¿ and at least $24 million worth of renovations. The Victorian charm remains, but the historic hotel has added modern touches, like wireless Internet and flat-screen TVs. The hotel's owners, investment banker Warren Stephens and his wife, Harriet, oversaw the renovations.

Michael Chaffin, the hotel's chief operating officer, said early bookings were "quite busy for us, coming out of the gates."

Room rates are now $199-$259, with suites going for $500 a night.