"almost full''. Hotels got their annual boost in bookings over the Thanksgiving weekend this year. Occupancy levels varied widely hoteliers said, with hotels and guest houses either half full or completely booked up.

Traditionally hoteliers look forward the weekend to nudge up sales at the end of a slow month in tourism. Most hotels reported higher occupancy levels over last year although some were slightly down. Of hotels surveyed by The Royal Gazette , Stonington and Belmont hotels fared best. They reported almost full houses this weekend with guests typically arriving on Tuesday for a five or six-day break. "Last year we were fully booked -- this year we are 96 percent full,'' said Stonington Hotel reservations manager, Miss Barbara Neish. "But we're very pleased with it.'' She said visitors tended to arrive with families or in large groups for the traditional holiday. The hotel offers a special turkey dinner and Thanksgiving decorations for its American guests. "They expect it so we do it,'' she said. Belmont Hotel & Golf Club reported a 97 percent occupancy rate this year. "Our bookings are considerably better than last year,'' said a reservations manager at the hotel. "We have a lot of repeat guests who come with their families. And we have a lot of golfers this year,'' he said. Southampton Princess manager, Mr. Timmel Maylands said bookings this year were "very good''. The hotel has a high number of repeat customers. Many of them arrange their holidays a year in advance before they leave, he said. Over the weekend a special programme featuring a Christmas dinner and additional family activities is organised for guests by the hotel.

"Thanksgiving is a star in November for us. But ideally we would like to keep the hotel full all year round,'' he said. A few hotels reported small downturns in occupancy levels compared with last year. Front desk manager at Pink Beach Club and Cottages said the hotel would be over half full but slightly down from last year. "Things have come in much more last minute than normal,'' she said. "People usually book a year in advance.'' Mr. Matthew Dill, assistant manager of Ariel Sands Club & Cottages said the hotel looked forward to the influx of visitors over the Thanksgiving weekend. "At the end of November it helps us quite a bit. We mostly get families -- we even had a family of 26 this year.'' Lantana Colony Club, Elbow Beach Hotel and Newstead all reported healthy bookings. "It will be a busy weekend for us,'' said Elbow Beach Hotel resident manager, Mr. Perry Robinson.