Staff at the former Sonesta Beach Hotel will get a chance to meet the new management team Wyndham today.

Staff, many of whom have been laid off since Hurricane Fabian last September, will also get information on Wyndham's plans for waterfront hotel in Southampton.

Owner Cliff Schorer said yesterday the hotel is still on schedule to re-open in June 3 with 100 rooms available, rising to 249 towards the end of the month.

The room count will remain at 249 for the season, but construction will begin in the off-season to bring on more rooms for next March, taking the tally up to 311.

Mr. Schorer knocked down the damaged west wing of the hotel after Fabian and open space on the peninsula is being used for outdoor functions.

Mr. Schorer said he hopes eventually to build new guest villas on the site once hotel occupancy levels get back up.

He said as well as staff getting a chance to meet the new management, it will be a welcome party for Wyndham, which signed the management contract to take over from Sonesta about three weeks ago.

Wyndham will be introducing new computerised booking equipment for the hotel, which is now known as the Wyndham Bermuda Resort and Spa Southampton Beach.

"The staff have been coming back in waves in different programmes and this is just a general call back, the beginning of training and a welcome party for Wyndham and the staff," said Mr. Schorer yesterday.

"Bookings have been great. We've now sold out some nights, which is always encouraging and we'll sell out some nights in June.

"People have been hesitant and waiting to see the new product, but I think once they see it will sell out pretty easily."All the heavy construction is scheduled to be finished by the end of June and all the interior work will be put on hold until next season.

The former pool area at the entrance is being used as an outdoor dining are and there is a new water area with four pools including children's slide.