Ariel Sands general manager Jason Powell is a tired man these days. Sleepless nights and wakeful days are the norm instead of the exception -- and for good reason.

His property has embarked on an expansion and upgrading programme that is due to be completed on April 1.

While at the helm for only one year, Mr. Powell is presiding over the South Shore property at a time when major plans are in store including a new conference centre, larger bathrooms and a spa and hair salon.

And it will all be packaged and marketed with a vigorous public relations drive that will see travel writers from major American magazines descend on the island.

But Mr. Powell says he is taking it all in stride.

"It's all very exciting but it's been causing a few sleepless nights,'' he said, "but we are getting there.'' Two years ago, the Dill family, owners of the 50-room, 14-acre South Shore property, decided to pour money back into the business which had fallen into a rut.

"We fell on hard times but the family decided that they wanted to restore Ariel Sands to its former glory,'' Mr. Powell said.

"Over the last two years they have invested $5 million and that includes the capital construction going on this winter.'' Good fortune swung Ariel Sands' way when American actor Michael Douglas' mother -- the former Diana Dill who owns one of the cottages -- visited Bermuda last April and was impressed with both the changes and new direction of the property.

She told Mr. Douglas of the warm reception that she had in Bermuda and he came to visit last June with fellow actor Jack Nicholson.

Several days and rounds of golf later, Mr. Douglas shared his mother's sentiment and with other members of the Dill family overseas, invested the remaining money needed for the capital renovations.

"That was some pretty considerable funds,'' Mr. Powell said, "but in so doing he became a more substantial shareholder and he put his name behind all our marketing.

"We are now Ariel Sands: Michael Douglas' Exclusive Private Hideaway in Bermuda. This carries an awful lot of weight.'' Moreover, Mr. Powell said that Mr. Douglas has hired Susan Magrino's public relations firm out of New York to handle all the marketing for Ariel Sands.

Ms Magrino's firm represents Compass Point in the Bahamas, the Hard Rock Cafes, and Martha Stewart.

"They specialise in heavy duty public relations work,'' Mr. Powell continued, "and we just hosted them here over the weekend. They will come back to us with a bunch of ideas on how to market the property.

"Magrino's are a very, very, expensive public relations firm and there is simply no way that a company of Ariel Sands' size could afford to retain them.

"But Mr. Douglas has agreed to foot the bill. It's like having a very big stick in your corner.'' With monetary issues subsiding into the background, Mr. Powell said that his task is to see the winter capital campaign through to the end which means that it must all be complete on April 1 this year.

Among the numerous capital projects underway are the conference centre, which will be built to seat 115 people, a spa with a massage parlour and a hair salon.

The current inside bar will give way to a lounge that will be decorated with paraphernalia from Michael Douglas' past movies.

Meanwhile, 12 of the 14 cottages will have their bathrooms expanded to make room for larger vanities.

Ariel Sands was also been accepted into the Bermuda Collection on January 1, meaning that its guests will have dine-around privileges at the Reefs, Cambridge Beaches, Lantana, Pompano and Stonington Beach.

"I think it is all very exciting,'' Mr. Powell added. "The property is making some very serious strides forward and with the backing of Magrinos' Public Relations Agency, there is no reason why our occupancy can't see a jump this year. This is exciting for Ariel Sands and Bermuda.'' Michael Douglas CONFERENCE CENTRE -- An artist's rendering of the new 115-seat conference centre that is to be built at Ariel Sands cottage colony in Devonshire.