just as it prepares to withdraw from Bermuda at the end of the summer.

Marriott International Inc. was named yesterday as the new manager of Curacao's seven-year-old 248-room former Sonesta Beach Resort & Emerald Casino.

The chain's new resort will have three full-service restaurants and two bars as well as a business centre, retail shops, health club, tennis courts, parking, a 6,000 square foot casino and a 3,000 square foot ballroom.

Its beach front position on the island's southwest coast, directly across the street from the Curacao International Trade Centre has helped it become one of the region's leading hotels.

News of the chain's expansion came just weeks after bosses of Bermuda's Marriott Castle Harbour Hotel blamed continuing losses for forcing them to close down by the end of October, leaving 300 staff members out of work.

But that number of people is a mere drop in the ocean for the Washington D.C.

headquartered Marriott organisation which has 135,000 employees and operates in 54 countries around the world.

As the countdown to the Bermuda closure begins, Marriott's new Caribbean presence will kick off in less than two weeks -- taking its Caribbean portfolio of properties to nine.

The hotel will be revamped with a series of systems upgrades and then renamed the Curacao Marriott Resort & Emerald Casino later this year.

In a statement to the international media yesterday, President of Marriott's international operations Ed Fuller said the company was very pleased to add the beautiful property to its others.

"We are confident that the strength of our global distribution system and Marriott Rewards, our award-winning frequent guest loyalty programme, will help generate a steady flow of tourists to the resort.'' But he made no mention of the impending closure of the Island's Marriott Castle Harbour Resort.

The former resident manager of the London Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel Roberto van Geenen has been named general manager of the new hotel.

He joined Marriott in 1986 as chief steward at the London property and over the years held numerous positions of increasing responsibility in the food and beverage area in London as well as in California and Amsterdam.