A long established traditional Bermudian hotel is undergoing renovations to launch it firmly into the new millennium.

Millions of dollars are being spent on refurbishing and adding new facilities to the Newstead Hotel.

And with a new four-suite block, complete with two conference centres, taking the place of eight bedrooms, the hotel is bidding to attract businessmen as well as the traditional leisure traveller.

Since taking over the hotel with his wife Dana, Anthony Goodfellow has embarked upon an ambitious programme of revitalisation.

The idea is to combine the gracious service of an old charming hotel with modern facilities and services to appeal to the demanding customer of today.

"We are aiming to bring back the former glory,'' he said. "It has been a long hard slog.

"We want it to be attractive to international business people, but we don't want to do that at the expense of valued and trusted clients.'' As well as several new features, much of the infrastructure is being looked at, with past minimum maintenance requiring a job of catch-up for the new proprietors.

A new sauna, gym, outside dining area and bar, updated kitchens, restaurants will complement the history of the Paget hotel.

New general manager Perry Robinson, who started this week, said the combination of business and leisure facilities created the ideal situation, especially with the ferry stop close by.

"It is an exciting time, we are going in the right direction,'' he said. "It is a very good product, and is going from strength to strength.'' In addition, a shuttle bus will transport business guests, virtually on demand, to and from Hamilton.

And to ensure business travellers can still keep in touch while enjoying a peaceful break, a new high speed Internet access link has been established in each of the 38 rooms.

Marketing manager Stephanie Hill added: "Because it is an old property, it does get a lot of repeat customers. This is encouraging new clients to come down.

"Because we believe in the future of tourism in Bermuda, we are willing to spend all this money and make the changes.'' The new Shoreby business suites are expected to be completed by the end of September, and the alfresco dining should begin sometime later this year.

The high speed Internet access -- provided by SolutionInc. Bermuda and North Rock Communications -- is up to 300 times faster than normal, with customers plugging their computers into the room's data jack.

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