A major international hotel chain is being sought to run a future Island cottage colony, it emerged yesterday.

The Royal Gazette has learned that Four Seasons Hotels -- a renowned hotel operation with facilities around the globe -- is being courted by the developers of 250-acres of Southampton real estate.

Morgan's Harbour Investment Limited were selected in February to redevelop Morgan's Point -- the former US Naval Annex -- and it has joined forces with international developer Renaissance Resorts International Ltd. who will oversee the $250 million project.

Part of their plans account for a 200-bed cottage colony with spa and conference centre. The Canadian based Four Seasons is one of a few hotel operations being looked at to run the operation, it is understood.

A spokeswoman for the hotel chain told The Royal Gazette from the company's headquarters in Toronto yesterday that the organisation was looking for opportunities at locations around the world.

She said she knew Four Seasons management were looking in the Middle East, Europe and Asia for possible sites but said she had not heard Bermuda mentioned. If there were talks going on in Bermuda, she continued, "nothing definite had been signed yet''.

The Development Applications Board received an in principle application from MHIL earlier this month.

The plan for the site includes a championship-class golf course in excess of 7,000 yards, a clubhouse, the cottage colony, spa and conference centre, a village centre, a 400-berth marina, 318 homes and elderly housing.

Financing for the project is coming from the Carlyle Group and the Bank of Butterfield.

MHIL is made up of local businessmen Edward Lawrence, Arthur Morris, James Pearman, Robert Tucker and David Hamshere. It is headed by chief executive officer Robert Davies who is also the managing director of Renaissance Resorts International Ltd.

Mr. Davies has been reported as saying: "We believe strongly that the right kind of hotel in this setting, with the additional amenities we envisage, will work well. If you look at Europe and North America, you see a tremendous amount of growth in the health, beauty and wellness market.

TOURISM TOU