$3,000 in cash and jewellery.

The culprits, Police believe, may have moved as a team hitting one property after another while guests were out at dinner.

The first break-in occurred at Harmony Hall, the second at Horizons & Cottages and the third at Coral Beach Club.

A Police report on the incidents said thieves entered four rooms at one facility and, after searching drawers and suitcases, made off with nearly $500 in cash and jewellery.

A family at another property fell victim while they were out at dinner.

Several rooms at their cottage were entered and nearly $700 stolen.

The third break-in saw two visitors hit by the thieves just hours after their arrival on the Island.

Police said their cottage was broken into during the night. The thieves searched through their wallets and stole $1,600.

It was not clear from Police sources whether the rooms and cottages were locked or not.

Mr. David Dodwell, president of the Bermuda Hotel Association, last night said he was disturbed by the incident.

"The more and more this goes on, the more it hurts Bermuda as a destination,'' he said. "It's a big negative for all the money spent marketing the Island. It wipes a good portion of the value of the money spent.'' Mr. Dodwell said hoteliers were in a bind about warning their guests. "It's a question of balancing a warning that relates to common sense and injecting fear into people. Bermuda has always been perceived as a safe tourism destination. So people's guards are dropped. It's a little tough to call attention to it.'' Two summers ago, hoteliers and Police worked together to draft an advisory sheet for visitor hotel rooms, as well as lock-your-room decals. The advisory generally advised on the good sense of keeping valuables in safe places and making sure doors and windows were locked.

More and more hotels in recent years have installed room safes to ensure safe-keeping of valuables.

Mr. Dodwell indicated concern about what is generally expected to be a tough winter.

"Unfortunately with winter, if people are not caught it could get worse,'' he said.

Horizons manager Mr. Wilhelm Sack said the break-in was very unfortunate. "It is crazy, very discouraging,'' he said, adding that Horizons had all possible security measures. "It's the only time this year this has happened to us.''