THE Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel is celebrating its reopening seven months after being devastated by Hurricane Fabian by inviting locals to take a look around the place today.

More than $40 million has been spent on refurbishments and 483 of the 593 rooms have been renovated following massive damage sustained in last September's powerful storm.

Anyone who is interested can show up at the hotel between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. today for tours of the new-look premises and they can enjoy live entertainment and refreshments.

Earlier in the day, Premier Alex Scott and Tourism Minister Ren?e Webb will attend a traditional Bermuda roof wetting ceremony.

The politicians will speak, as will Norman Mastalir, the managing director of Fairmont Hotels, Bermuda.

The roof was ravaged by Fabian and a new "hurricane-proof" roof of 100,000 square feet has been put on. A statement yesterday from the hotel read: "The new roof at the Fairmont Southampton is one of the most state-of-the-art and technologically advanced in Bermuda.

"Designed by Merton Roofs, the same supplier used by the Miami International Airport following Hurricane Andrew, the hurricane-resistant structure will be christened Bermuda style."

Cliff erosion destroyed the terrace at the hotel's Whaler Inn and new tennis courts have been built, as well as a new dive shop.

The hotel re-opened its doors this week, just ahead of schedule, after a remarkably rapid renovation.

Occupancy rates are expected to be more than 90 percent from May through August.

The first guests to check in to the new hotel were Berwick and Pat Slinger, from Edmonton, Canada, who were presented by Mr. Mastalir with a book, .