The re-opening of Sonesta Beach Hotel has been delayed by two weeks and there will be fewer rooms available this season than previously announced, according to the hotel?s new management company.

The hotel had been scheduled to open its doors following damage from Hurricane Fabian on May 15, but Wyndham International has announced the opening will now be June 3 following a $38-million renovation.

And the hotel will now be called the Wyndham Bermuda Resort and Spa Southampton Beach, according to the company.

Bulldozers have begun demolishing part of the west wing of the landmark South Shore property.

Owner Clifford Schorer told last Monday that the hotel will re-open with 100 rooms on May 15, rising to 200 by the beginning of June and 300 by the end of the season.

But Wyndham said on Thursday that the number of rooms will not reach 311 until March 2005 when the Bay and Carlton guestrooms are ready.

?While Wyndham has built a tremendous brand presence in the Caribbean, we had set our sights on expanding our off-shore resorts portfolio into the Atlanta hotel market,? said Wyndham chairman Fred Kleisner.

?The Wyndham Bermuda Resort and Spa presents a perfect reintroduction of our brand into Bermuda.

?We look forward to a long-term partnership with the resort and the people of Bermuda.?

Wyndham managed the Elbow Beach Hotel until the 1990s.

According to Wyndham, the renovation will involve a new pool area with three pools, water slides and waterfalls; a 15-foot aquarium; new carpeting and covering of 12,000 square foot meeting space; and a full-service European spa for May 2005.

The hotel will also have three new restaurants ? a sushi restaurant Sazanami, the Pearl Onion and the Chameleon.

Mr. Schorer said: ?With their proven track record in successfully managing upscale and luxury resorts throughout the Caribbean and US, Wyndham was a natural fit with our property.

?We believe that the Wyndham name, along with the company?s commitment to personalisation, will help us welcome back existing customers and significantly drive new business back to Bermuda.?