Hotel guests who suffered severe illness from water poisoning at a Valentine's Day dinner three years' ago have finally been paid compensation.

The 38 customers have each received $1,000 compensation, plus any medical costs, by Marriott's International Services Ltd, which owned the Castle Harbour Resort.

Last night, they said the pay-off had been a long time coming, but they were finally glad to put an end to the incident.

Hundreds of diners and overnight guests at the hotel, which has since closed down due to financial losses, were stricken with gastro-enteritis. It was believed that contaminated water caused severe vomiting and diarrhoea in about 200 guests, including newlyweds, which led to the hotel being completely shut down for more than two weeks.

Some US guests filed their own suit in America, 38 locals sued from Bermuda, and many of the complainants opted for an out-of-court settlement of about $300.

Yesterday, the 38 Bermuda residents who had chosen to go the long route said they had been finally rewarded when they received their cheques in the post.

One man, who did not wish to be named, said he had received almost $1,500 in compensation, medical bills and for the cost of his hotel stay.

The accountant from Pembroke said: "It has certainly taken a long time to get this far, but we have been patient because we knew these things took time.

"But I think the lawyers have done a good job for us, although I think the amount we have received is a bit disappointing after what we went through.

"I was off work for five days because of this, and I seemed to have been ill more often since this happened. I think a lot of bacteria in my stomach has been wiped out, so my immune system is not what it was.'' The 32-year-old, who was staying at the hotel overnight with his now-wife celebrating Valentine's Day with friends, said he had been particularly sick because he had drank a lot of water.

He added: "I was playing rugby the next day and I was really worried about being dehydrated because I was drinking wine.

"So, I made sure I drank an awful lot of water throughout the night. I guess that is why I was so ill for such a pro-longed period.'' But the guest said there was no need for the Marriott to take the case this far.

He said it could have been settled a long time ago.

"I did not feel there was much regret on their (Marriott) side,'' he said.

"I never wanted money - all I wanted was an apology. I also suggested they compensate me and my wife by giving us a weekend at one of their other hotels, but they said `no'. That would have cost them nothing. I'm glad now that we went this route. To go any further than we did would have involved a huge lay-out from us up front and was not really an option.'' Another guest, who also does not wish to be named, said she was thankful it was over, but was concerned about the long-term affects. She said: "I feel like I drank sewage on that night and I now have worries that something is lurking in my system waiting to strike me.

"It was a scary time - I was very ill, and I'm not sure $1,000 compensates me for that, but it's better than the $300 they paid to some people.'' The guests' lawyer Dennis Dwyer was not on the Island to comment on the case last night. The Island's Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann at first claimed that the illness had been caused by a virus, which was spread from person to person through poor personal hygiene.

At the time, he was aware that the hotel had had problems with leaking sewer pipes and that the epidemic had not spread once the water supply had been disconnected.

He was immediately shot down by doctors on the Island who said it was blatantly obvious that the sickness had been caused by contaminated water.

Guests at the time claimed an investigation into the sickness break-out had been a whitewash.

COURTS CTS