The head of controversy-hit hotel Marriott's Castle Harbour is to leave his post in the summer -- just months after the resort was rocked by an outbreak of food poisoning.

But general manager Mark Conklin said the move to a new position with the firm in Texas was a promotion that had been "in the works for some time'' and had nothing to do with the outbreak of illness.

In February more than 400 people were struck down with food poisoning after drinking water at the hotel.

Health chiefs, who at first gave the hotel a clean bill of health, later backtracked and confirmed that the virus had leaked from a sewage pipe into the hotels' water tank.

And yesterday's decision preceeded an announcement by a third American law firm that they will be taking legal action against the Marriott chain on behalf of one client who stayed at the hotel during what some are calling the "Valentine's Day Massacre''.

Wheaton-based attorneys Ralph R. Hrurby Ltd are suing the hotel giant for negligence.

Yesterday a spokesman for Marriott International said: "Marriott International has promoted Mark Conklin, general manager of Marriott's Castle Harbour Hotel and Resort, to vice-president market management for San Antonio/Austin where he will have operating responsibility for 21 hotels spanning five Marriott lodging brands: Marriott Hotels, Resorts & Suites; Renaissance Hotels and Resorts; Courtyard by Marriott; Fairfield Inn; and Residence Inn.'' These 21 hotels have sales in excess of $150 million per year.

Mr. Conklin said he was enthusiastic about the challenge of his new responsibilities and noted that he was pleased with the many accomplishments he and his team had achieved during his tenure as general manager locally.

"This is a great promotion. I am very excited about it. I am also very, very proud of the efforts of the staff here at Castle Harbour who have kept the focus on taking care of our customers.'' Mr. Conklin added: "I am especially pleased with the hotel's programme of staff development and, in particular, the four latest promotions of Bermudians to senior management positions at the property.'' These promotions include Ed Trott to resident manager, Lorrita Tucker-Simmons to director of human resources, Tyrone Crockwell to director of engineering and Norman Gardener to food and beverage manager.

The east end hotel's present director of operations, David Abraham, will assume additional resort responsibilities and run the hotel with their assistance.

It was due to the strong team running the hotel, continued Mr. Conklin, that an urgent search to find a replacement for him had not been started.

The hotel had already entered its season, he added, with occupancy percentages for the next five months predicted to be in the 80s and low 90s.

The training focus of the hotel is one of the main reasons behind its success, said Mr. Conklin. In the last 15 months 44 members of staff had been promoted -- 38 of whom were Bermudian.

During Mr. Conklin's tenure at the hotel, the property was acknowledged as "Most Improved'' within the Marriott organisation. The resort was recognised for its employee, customer satisfaction and financial importance.

In addition, Mr. Conklin was named Marriott's "General Manager of the Year.'' Mark Conklin