A major hotel bowed to public pressure by removing controversial signs off a beach -- and then took a swipe at Government.

Elbow Beach Hotel took down signs -- which did not have planning permission -- warning the public that part of the beach was private after a public outcry over access to the beach.

But manager Bill Shoaf said the ball was now in the Government's court, with regard to the lack of facilities provided at the beach.

He added that something needed to be done about information that led visitors to believe there were a host of services offered by the hotel to the public, when there wasn't.

"We never wanted to offend anybody,'' he said. "Nobody told us officially to take them down, but hopefully now everybody will understand our position.'' He said there was a need to look at the public facilities at Elbow Beach, including parking and toilets, and especially the sign calling it a park, which led some visitors to expect more facilities.

"You shouldn't call something a park when it isn't. A lot of people don't understand and get angry.'' The hotel has now roped off an area beyond high water which, quite legitimately, is designated private for their guests only -- a move that was welcomed by UBP MP Quinton Edness and campaigner Graeme Outerbridge.

The pair publicly called for the signs, which the hotel said were needed to keep the public away from facilities provided for hotel guests only, to come down.

Mr. Edness commended Elbow Beach Hotel management for taking the signs down, adding the advice they received in the first place was wrong.

"Bermudians will not abuse the area, they need to have the ability to walk up and down the beach,'' he said.

And Mr. Outerbridge said the hotel had worked the right way to find a solution, which was partly their own making when they stopped allowing the public to use their facilities this year.

He said it was time the Government looked at the facilities provided there.

Environment Minister Harry Soares said he and Sport and Recreation Minister John Barritt were currently looking into the possibility of upgrading facilities at the site.

"I am very pleased that things have worked out,'' said Mr. Soares. "We have got to have a really hard look at what we can do down there.''