Sonesta Beach Hotel will open with just 100 rooms when the season begins because refurbishments are continuing, Tourism Minister Renee Webb said yesterday.

The landmark hotel, which has 400 rooms, is hoping for planning permission to knock down the west wing of the main building and replace it with other hotel rooms.

Ms Webb said yesterday Sonesta anticipates opening on May 15 with 100 rooms, increasing to 200 in six weeks, then phasing to 294.

She said Sonesta, which is expected to be managed by Wyndham International, has been given planning permission to open a water theme park near the site of the pool.

Referring to the decision of Wyndham ? which formerly ran the Elbow Beach Hotel ? to return to Bermuda, she said: "It is a resort hotel chain and it bodes well for Bermuda.

"It shows the confidence in Bermuda at that level that management companies want to come in.

"Wyndham have been here before and the feel confident about Bermuda. The confidence level we are experiencing now is excellent."