Former Elbow Beach General Manager John Jefferis has won the contract to lease and operate Stonington Beach Hotel, it was announced yesterday.

Bermudian Mr. Jefferis, who now operates the award-winning Coco Reef Resort in Tobago, saw off the challenge of Bermuda Resort Hotels (BRH), which owns the Harmony Club, Surf Side, and the Wharf Executive Hotel.

Bermuda College, which owns Stonington - the Island's training facility for the hospitality industry - originally chose BRH last year.

But the Ministries of Tourism and Education took over and restarted the selection process to ensure there was no appearance of a conflict of interest. BRH executive Billy Griffith sat on the College board of governors.

Mr. Jefferis's company Island Resorts (International) Limited has been awarded the contract, but it has not been signed and conditions have still to be worked out, said the Ministry of Tourism in a statement yesterday.

When the management contract was put out to tender, it was stressed that Stonington will continue to operate as a training facility for young Bermudians.

Tourism Minister Renee Webb and Education Minister Paula Cox said in a joint statement yesterday: "We were pleased with the response received from parties who expressed a keen interest in leasing and operating Stonington Beach Hotel, and submitting proposals.

"Their enthusiastic responses clearly demonstrated a willingness to invest in enhancing the tourism product on-Island. We are pleased that someone of Mr. Jefferis's calibre will assist us in making Stoning Beach Hotel the first class beachfront property it should be.

"Stonington will continue to be a training facility ensuring Bermudians are attracted and remain in the hospitality industry."

Government expects the new company to begin operating the hotel by the beginning of this tourism season when the contract is signed, added the statement.

Mr. Jefferis opened Coco Reef Resort in Tobago in 1996, and in the 2002 World Travel Awards, it was voted the Best Resort in the Caribbean.

Mr. Jefferis did not return a call to The Royal Gazette last night, but a Government statement said he looked forward to finalising the negotiations and signing the lease.

BRH chief executive officer Naval Mehra said: "This has been a long process. The selection committee has chosen the management company that they consider best suits their needs. BRH has no further comment."