spite of a year of declining air arrivals and hard-hitting hurricanes.

Sonesta Beach Resort which closed for four months last year will stay open all winter although the last stages of an extensive renovation project will still be underway until March.

"Our staff are delighted about it,'' a spokesman from the hotel said yesterday.

Improvements to the hotel will include upgrading and enlargement of the Boat Bay club bar and restaurant, painting of outside walls, landscaping, new shutters and redesign of the front entrance.

Other improvements include fitting the lobby with a stone flags, carpeting and artwork.

But even hotels that closed in the past have vowed to stay open to take advantage of extra business and to shake the perception shared by travel agents in the past that the Island closes down between November and March.

White Sands Hotel, which has closed in the past over the soft winter months, will be staying open this year.

Other hotels claim they will carry out their annual renovations around guests when bookings are low.

However, Pink Beach Hotel, which suffered extensive damage to sea side cottages during Hurricane Felix, is set to close for three month for renovations.

"Felix in a way has done us a favour,'' said Pink Beach Manager Mr. W.A.

(Toppy) Cowen. "Instead of the usual spruce up and improvement, this year 25 cottages will be completely upgraded.'' The hotel will be closed from between December 11 and March 1 for the installation of new furnishings, rebuilding of retaining walls and upgrading of patios and lobby and entrance areas.

In addition, four new ocean view suites are to be built on the eastern beach.

All the Island's big hotels including the Hamilton and Southampton Princesses, Grotto Bay Beach Hotel, Stonington Beach Hotel, Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort, Belmont Hotel and Elbow Beach Hotel have all vowed to stay open this winter.

However, some smaller hotels including the Palm Reef Hotel and the Harmony Club have admitted they will be closing their doors as usual over the winter months.