The hotel at the centre of a mystery epidemic re-opened for business yesterday -- after health chiefs gave its water supply the all-clear.

Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort took in new guests for the first time in three days after suspicions that the water supply was contaminated.

Empty rooms at the hotel have not been offered to visitors since Monday afternoon, more than a week after the outbreak which struck down hundreds of guests.

Marriott bosses ordered an emergency supply of water while the February 13 outbreak was being investigated.

The original water supply was flushed out and health chiefs gave the go-ahead for the hotel to welcome new guests yesterday morning.

Marriott general manager Mark Conklin told The Royal Gazette that 40 new guests arrived yesterday lunchtime after health chiefs tested the water.

But he added that it would take hotel staff up to 30 days to refund guests who complained they wanted their money back.

He added: "The Department of Health feels good about all the precautionary measures we have taken and the hotel is up and running again.

"We closed on Monday afternoon as a precautionary measure and we conducted a super-chlorination process to ensure that any lingering bacteria was flushed out of the system.

"The official cause is still being investigated. We are still waiting for test results and the investigation is still on-going.

"We have a group of eight people calling customers and working through their queries and concerns, including requests for refunds.

"We have made a commitment that we will get to people within 30 days and we are working as fast as we possibly can.'' The bug was first thought to have been spread by the hotel's water supply but the Government's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. John Cann, claimed the bug was an airborne virus.

It was revealed on Monday that traces of the E.coli bacteria, which killed 20 people in Scotland in 1996, had been found in the water by hotel experts.

Dr. Cann was unavailable for comment yesterday.

But Californian surgeon Dr. Peter Cahill, who became ill when he stayed at the hotel, said: "I knew straight away it was some kind of poisoning in either the food or the water.

"I really can't understand how Dr. Cann could say it was a virus. Viruses just don't strike down dozens of people like that all in one go.

"He should have known that it was not a virus. I feel as though I've been deceived.'' Another guest, Bermudian Clifton Anderson, claimed he was "outraged'' that he would have to wait up to a month for a refund.

Mr. Anderson said he and his girlfriend stayed at the hotel as a Valentine's treat.

He added: "My bill came to about $400 and the room itself was about $170 a night.

"We both became ill and we're not even asking for compensation but we feel it's our right to get our money back.

"It's not right that when I called for information this morning, I was told I may have to wait up to a month. I don't know why it has to take so long.''