Mystery surrounds whether any construction work is taking place to ensure Sonesta Beach Hotel will re-open in time for the 2004 tourism season.

Yesterday, there was no sign of anyone working at the landmark South Shore hotel and no work appears to have been done on large parts of the property which were damaged by Hurricane Fabian last September.

Sonesta closed down for repairs after Fabian struck on September 5, but yesterday rooms were still left open to the elements, and a large section of tarpaulin which is supposed to cover the restaurant was hanging off.

And the swimming pool shows no sign of any work having been done.

The Royal Gazette has left messages for American owner Clifford Schorer at the hotel and in the United States over the last few days but has been unable to get any information.

Bermuda Industrial Union President Derrick Burgess said yesterday some of the hotel staff kept on by the hotel had returned to work on Monday.

And he said he had heard nothing to indicate that the hotel's management had given up its intention to re-open on May 1.

He said: “The workers are back on the job. They were off for the Christmas period and they returned yesterday.

“They are trying to get it ready for a May 1 opening and I have had no indication to the contrary.”

Mr. Schorer bought the 400-bedroom hotel in Southampton in June this year from insurance group Aetna.

Mr. Schorer has said he eventually plans to tear down the main structure, but said after Fabian that this was not on the agenda and he planned to completely refurbish the hotel.

In October, however, he said part of the west wing may be demolished and the hotel re-open with 80 fewer rooms.

Mr. Schorer said the hurricane had made part of the cliffside unstable. But he said if he lost rooms on the west wing, they would need to be rebuilt elsewhere.

His long-term plans for the hotel include building 43 three-bedroom houses on the site, and 16 two-bedroom homes for rent.