and will "without a doubt be the finest hotel property on the Island'', Elbow Beach Development Company managing director Mr. John Jefferis confirmed yesterday.

Although bookings for April are "not that great'', Mr. Jefferis is confident they will pick up by summer.

Significant changes to the 300-room South Shore, Paget, hotel include four large columns marking the entrance, a marble lobby with white oak panelling and crystal chandeliers, new carpeting and new room furnishings. Pale green, patterned vinyl wallpaper has been put up in the rooms and marble bathrooms adjoin them.

Mr. Jefferis described the new look as "elegantly traditional''. "It's a grade above what was planned for the Ritz-Carlton,'' he said. "I am confident we will have a good season because of the upgrade of the hotel -- it will increase our market share.'' He added: "The intention of the new owners was to have, without a doubt, the finest hotel on the Island.'' The hotel is owned by Virginia-based Marcor Realty, which is financially backed by the defence minister of Saudi Arabia, who is a member of the country's royal family.

Mr. Jefferis said Sea-Land Construction workers are working around the clock to have the hotel opened by April 15.

He said "the majority'' of the 75 employees laid off before renovations began last November will be back on the job on that date.

The $20 million-plus upgrade was hampered by bad weather, the deportation of its wallpaperer and an overtime ban by construction workers, causing the reopening of the hotel to be delayed three times. It was originally set to reopen on February 29.

Mr. Jefferis disclosed the hotel's owners had plans to add on another 150 rooms in the future.