Former Sonesta Beach Resort general manager Dennis Tucker said yesterday he has parted on good terms with the hotel's new owner and with the Sonesta Corporation, which manages the property.

Mr. Tucker has stood down after 27 years at the Southampton hotel, saying the time was right to look for new career opportunities.

The veteran hotelier, who became vice president and general manager in 1998, said the hotel closing down this winter for major repairs to damage caused by Hurricane Fabian presented the perfect time for a fresh start.

He intends to spend time travelling with his family before looking for a new job.

Mr. Tucker, 57, who joined Sonesta as chief accountant in 1976, told The Royal Gazette: "I have enjoyed 27 wonderful years at Sonesta and I've experienced quite a lot of professional growth and I have absolutely enjoyed the entire experience of being there.

"I felt that after 27 years, it is time to move on and pursue other interests. There is nothing else behind my resignation.

"I have left on good terms with Sonesta and on good terms with the new owner of the hotel. There is no bad blood, but it is just something that it is time for me to do.

"I will miss all the people I have grown up with in the hotel, but I will be keeping in touch. It is a small island and I'm sure I'll be seeing lots of them.

"I wish the new owner (Clifford Schorer) well in the reconstruction process and if there is any advice or wisdom I could pass on, I'd be more than happy to do so.

"I am going to take some time off on vacation to travel with my family and shortly I will be looking at taking advantage of some other employment or opportunities.

"I have been in hospitality since I started work 40 years ago and I have enjoyed it, and I would want to use those skills that I have used over many years, and if I will not be in hospitality, I would be interested in using those skills in some other industry."

Clifford Schorer, whose company Southampton Beach Resort Ltd. bought Sonesta from Aetna Insurance in June, did not return calls for comment.