It's not often that the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital gets endorsed by a Hollywood star — but last night Catherine Zeta-Jones revealed that she was feeling "fine" after treatment there for sinus problems.

The world-famous actress was attending a charity gala with husband Michael Douglas aimed at raising thousands of dollars for a new acute care hospital for the Island.

The event, at which Premier Ewart Brown and Governor Sir Richard Gozney rubbed shoulders with the glamorous Oscar-winning couple, was held to celebrate the opening of the new multimillion dollar Tucker's Point Hotel and Spa.

Mr. Douglas told a pre-gala media briefing that he and his wife, who live on the Island, were "really moved" to see the hotel — the first new luxury resort to open in Bermuda in almost 40 years — become reality.

"It's a great shot in the arm and a great, great positive statement for Bermuda," said the 64-year-old star, adding that the money raised at the gala was going to a "great organisation": Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust.

Ms Zeta-Jones, dressed for the gala in a black Vicky Tiel gown, said: "I have been at the hospital for so many days with my sinus problems and I must say they have done a good job but we can always do better."

The 39-year-old mother-of-two said a new hospital was needed "for our children and grown-ups". She added about KEMH: "I'm telling you, I have been there every day for the last four weeks but now I feel fine."

The cheapest tickets for last night's gala were $500 per person and Philip Butterfield, chairman of Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust, said the event would hopefully raise more than $400,000 towards the new $260 million hospital.

Tourism Minister Dr. Brown, meanwhile, pointed to the opening of the Tucker's Point Hotel and Spa as of major importance to Bermuda's tourism industry.

"It's clear evidence that Bermuda is a good place for this kind of development," he said, adding that it was a definite sign that the Island was going into "what we call the platinum period".

"I think it will mean something to other prospective developers," said the Premier. "Tourism is in need of all the boosts we can get; it's down all over the world."