Occupancy levels are still lagging behind 2008 levels according to several hoteliers.

This despite the fact that Bermuda has lost approximately 274 hotel rooms in the last two years and discounts have been offered to entice visitors to the Island.

The Royal Gazette asked six hoteliers their views on how Bermuda's peak season was going thus far.

Many said tourists were still waiting until the last minute to book, holding out for a deal. The general consensus was that August and September are also looking week.

Both Fairmonts reported they had "high occupancy levels". According to a spokeswoman, both sold out over the July 4 weekend.

She added"The bookings for August and September are a concern, particularly in September. However, we have seen some last minute bookings for August."

At the Reefs, which usually sees an occupancy level above 95 percent in the summer months, the figure has dropped to the high 70s to mid 80s. There have been two sold out weekends at the hotel during the last two months.

General manager Nagma Walker said bookings for August and September were ahead of 2009, but still "very weak" compared to previous years.

He said"The trend continues to be a very short booking window sometimes as short as a couple of days out.

"Travellers seem to be shopping around more for last minutes offers and promotions and are looking for special deals and discounts when making bookings."

Clarence Hofheins, general manager of Newstead Belmont Hills, agreed that bookings for August and September were not looking good. However, he too is hopeful they will pick up because the majority of their clients held off booking their holidays in June and July until seven to ten days before their arrival.

The hotel had been running at 72 percent occupancy for the summer but he noted the average daily rate was down 20 to 30 percent.

Meanwhile, Tucker's Point Hotel has seen the occupancy level fluctuate between the high eighties and low nineties.

General manager Brian Young said "We expect this to continue through Labour Day. September business is traditionally more moderate, but we have been experiencing very good interest and pickup.

"While consumers continue to wait until the last minute to book their holidays, we have had a lot of interest through the fall due in part to the accolades we've received. In the beginning of the season, Tucker's Point was featured in the 2010 Conde Nast Traveler's 'Hot List' and recently we were highlighted in Travel & Leisure's 'World's Best' awards, receiving number seven in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas.

"One very positive trend we are noticing is that couples who perhaps had visited Bermuda before, but not recently, are returning to the Island, often accompanied by their families and grown children."

Elbow Beach closed 137 of its rooms last year. General manager Frank Stocek reported their cottages had seen "excellent business levels this summer" with "a very strong average room rate".