A $4.5 million facelift will transform the former Daniel's Head eco-resort into the "funky" new "9 Beaches" by May 2005, owners David Dodwell and Russ Urban announced yesterday.

And, while it is expected that most guests will be from overseas, the Bermuda-based hotel company Island Resort Collection (IRC) running the property hopes locals will utilise both the hotel and its amenities as well. "We want residents to come," Mr. Dodwell said.

At a Press conference on the westernmost point of the 18-acre property, Mr. Dodwell and Mr. Urban revealed some of the details which will set 9 Beaches apart from any other resort in Bermuda.

These include cell phones for guests, no formal check-in, and, of course, nine beaches - more than any other hotel property on the Island.

The operating philosophy is "out of the box", Mr. Urban explained and the resort is expected to be as "funky" and "slightly zany" as such a philosophy would require.

For example, he explained, the tagline for the hotel is "Flip-flops required" - as opposed to the staid, old "jackets required". The owners are even considering giving every guest a pair of flip-flops when they arrive.

Reception at the resort will take on a whole new meaning as 9 Beaches will do away with a formal check-in process. Instead, guests catch a cab from the airport to a nearby bay - possibly Ely's Harbour - and board a special 9 Beaches launch from there.

The boat will bring guests to the newly renovated dock facility at the resort, where they will be greeted by a personal concierge, who will take them by golf cart straight to their cabana (formerly known as a "tent cottage").

With a target market of the 25-40 year old, "young at heart" guests will also have the option of wireless Internet, allowing them to access the world wide web using their laptops from the beach or anywhere else on the resort.

Each cabana will have a flagpole allowing guests to signal to a golf cart which will be constantly roaming the property. Guests can also order dinner on the beach and, while the focus is on water activities and the outdoors, the main building at the resort will have a lounge and restaurant to keep guests amused during inclement weather.

The pair expect 9 Beaches to have the most complete collection of water sports options and equipment on the Island. However, they added, guests will also be able to simply relax on the beach or by the pool when they want.

Other renovations to the property include redesigning the interior of the cabanas and several buildings, a new pool complete with hot tub built on the point, a "funky" beachside bar and a restaurant overlooking one pool and the main beach.

Room rates for the 84 cabanas have not yet been established as the total package of amenities is still being developed. A further 12 cabanas will be developed sometime next year.

While guests will have a significant discount on water sports, Mr. Dodwell said the hotel recognised that encouraging locals to use the facilities with lead-in rates - especially during the off-season - will be beneficial.

The resort plans to rely almost entirely on local firms for the renovation work, Mr. Urban said, and he has relocated his family to Bermuda in order to be on-site to monitor progress.

Though it is still early, Mr. Dodwell emphasised they will be searching for Bermudian employees who are "young at heart, friendly, fun, and willing to think out of the box" once the resort is up and running.

Government, including Tourism Minister Ewart Brown, have been very enthusiastic about the development. "We've had a terrific response from everybody in Government," Mr. Urban said.

Mr. Dodwell and Mr. Urban are principals of Island Resort Collection (IRC), a Bermuda-based hotel company which operates hotels in Martha's Vineyard, in Nevis, and in Bermuda.

More information on 9 Beaches will be available on October 1, when the web site www.9Beaches.com goes live.