One quarter of Bermuda's hotels and boarding houses are closed for repairs necessitated by Hurricane Fabian, according to figures released last night by the Department of Tourism.

A survey of 38 properties showed nine - including major hotels such as the Fairmont Southampton, Sonesta Beach, Ariel Sands and Pink Beach - have temporarily shut their doors.

But Tourism Minister Renee Webb said yesterday the Island had stood up well to the storm and recovery was swifter than hoped for.

All cruise ships have been cancelled this week and passengers are urged to contact the cruise lines to find out when they will be sailing to Bermuda again, said the statement yesterday.

And holiday-makers are urged to contact individual properties for details of when they will be open.

Most golf courses sustained little or no damage, although all are currently closed for a clean-up, according to the Department of Tourism.

Belmont Hills, the Mid-Ocean Club, Tucker's Point, Riddles Bay, Port Royal and St. George's are closed. No mention was made of the only other course, at the Fairmont Southampton, but it is assumed it is also closed because the hotel is shutting up for the winter.

Hotels closed, according to Tourism, are: Ariel Sands (re-opening September 22), Blue Horizons; Fairmont Southampton (opening in two to six months), Horizons and Cottages (re-opening September 20);

Marley Beach, Mid-Ocean (until September 19), Sonesta Beach (until May 2004), and Pink Beach (until March next year). The Fairmont Hamilton will begin taking new reservations on September 22.

Those remaining open are: Brightside Apartments, Cambridge Beaches, Clairfont Apartments, Coco Reef (formerly Stonington Beach), Elbow Beach, Fairmont Hamilton, Grape Bay Beach, Fourways, Greene's Guest House, Grotto Bay; Harmony Club, Hi-Roy Guest House, Nazarine by the Sea Guest House, Ocean Terrace Guest House, Oxford House, Paraquet Guest Apartments, Pompano Beach; The Reefs, Robin's Nest, Rosedon, Rosemont, Royal Palms, Sound View, Surf Side, Syl-Den Apartments, St. George's Club, Waterloo House, Wharf Executive Suites, and Willowbank.

Ms Webb said yesterday: "Considering the extraordinary strength and duration of Fabian, we are proud to have withstood the storm in the manner we did. We anticipate a swifter than usual recovery and as usual look forward to welcoming visitors new and old to our Island."