A 37-year-old visitor was attacked and hospitalised by three weapon-wielding men while waiting for a shuttle on Saturday night.

The American man, who has not been named by Police, had a broken arm and hand, cuts to his head, and bruising on his body after three men attacked him and his girlfriend.

He was taken to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and later released.

The couple had been waiting near the tennis courts on the beach access road at the Fairmont Southampton Princess hotel for the hotel's shuttle at 8.50 p.m.

Three black men dressed in dark clothing — one wearing a crash helmet — approached the visitors from behind demanding their money.

When the couple refused, the men attacked them with blunt objects.

The 33-year-old girlfriend of the hospitalised victim had her black purse with a cell phone, digital camera and cash in it, ripped from her arms.

She ran shouting for help and was not hurt in the attack.

Luckily the hotel's shuttle bus arrived minutes after the attack started and managed to scare off the three men who fled to South Road.

The driver of the shuttle bus called the Police and stayed with the male victim and his girlfriend until the Police arrived.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to this incident or anyone with any information to contact the Somerset Criminal Investigation Unit on 234-1010.