Hamilton Harbour island as part of a multi-million dollar upgrade of its facilities and activities.

Elbow Beach general manager Bill Shoaf made the announcement as he unveiled an $18 million renovation plan for the hotel which is due to begin on November 24.

The Paget property hopes to have the work concluded by May 1 of next year when it will celebrate its 90th anniversary under the theme Remembering Seahorses.

Besides massive renovations planned for the main hotel building which include the construction of a brand new restaurant, meeting rooms and business centre, Elbow Beach will also offer a variety of water-based activities at Hawkins Island.

These will include jet skiing, small-craft sailing, diving, wind sailing, beach volleyball, nature trails and fishing areas.

Also planned is a full-service spa on the Paget site.

Work will begin at the end of 1998 on the full-service, free-standing spa which will occupy the Fritholme Mansion. A completion date for this project has been set for the Spring of 1999.

Other forms of guest recreation will be improved with the pool area getting a new stone deck surface, an ocean view bar and a barbecue area.

And through affiliation with a private golf club, Elbow Beach guests are now able to reserve tee times in advance throughout the year. Rental clubs and complimentary club cleaning will also be available at the hotel.

Elsewhere Spazzizi's restaurant will be transformed into a new fine dining facility and reclaim its old name, Seahorse Grill.

Along with contemporary cuisine, the restaurant will feature new woodwork, a display kitchen, a new bar area and new furniture, china and silver. The interior flagstone courtyard will be upgraded with a fountain and glass conservatory for dining.

The hotel will also offer improved business services with construction of a professionally staffed Xerox Business Centre on the ground floor of the main building.

This will provide access to personal computers, fax machines, colour photocopies, binding, express mail and courier services as well as multi-media presentation development capabilities.

Meanwhile Ondine's dining room will be converted into five private meeting rooms and a board room.

And the entry to the main building will be rebuilt, the lobby redecorated and the Library Bar redone.

All the guest rooms will be renovated with new carpets, window coverings, bedding, wall coverings and Bermudian artwork on the walls.

Couches and side chairs will be reupholstered or replaced, and armoires, tables, desks and side tables will be refinished or refurbished.

Patio tiles will be replaced with a non-skid stone surface and an electronic key system, mini bars and electronic safes will be installed in all rooms.

Hallways and elevators will also be renovated and the Caprice Cottage will be transformed into a luxurious two-bedroom suite with private gardens and ocean views.

While this work is underway, guests will be accommodated in the hotel's newly refurbished, deluxe garden rooms and junior suites. A reception and guest registration area will be set up in the Bermuda Cottage.

The Cafe Lido Restaurant will be open for both lunch and dinner and breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available through in-room dining.