are nearing completion.

They will be handed to the Development Applications Board shortly.

Said hotel chief Mr. John Jefferis yesterday: "We are just in the very, very final stages of working out the details.

"The master plan should be ready very shortly.'' He added: "I will be talking to the architects this week. We have to be sure everything is right.'' The ambitious project involves building a bar, two restaurants, tennis stadium, and 39 villas.

There are also plans for 11 beachfront "palace suites''.

These were the subject of fierce controversy last year, with objections from neighbouring hotel properties and the National Trust.

The Wyndham hotel bowed to pressure, removing the plans from the drawing board.

Yesterday Mr. Jefferis, Elbow Beach Hotel Development Company managing director, said the new "master plan'' was a refinement on what had been put forward before.

There had been some changes in design, he added.

Mr. Jefferis was unable to put a price on the project, saying it would amount to "millions of dollars''.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jack Westman, director of resort sales for Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, said Elbow Beach was experiencing a summer resurgence in occupancy levels.

The first quarter of the year had been a struggle, while the following three months, April, May and June matched predictions.

But the third quarter had been very good, with July exceeding expectations.

September was expected to maintain the momentum, said Mr. Westman.

Mr. Westman said hoteliers had to be increasingly creative to keep their heads above water.

The hotel industry had become extremely competitive.

And Elbow Beach was constantly looking for opportunities to improve its product, said Mr. Westman.

He added the hotel was determined to capitalise on being the host for the December 6-12 ATP classic tennis tournament.

The event would feature two big names -- US star Aaron Krickstein and Canada's Grant Connell.

Mr. Westman said special packages -- with shopping discounts -- were being prepared for visitors who came to the hotel for the tournament.

It would be idea for people wanting to go on Christmas shopping trips.