German Hartmut Zunk has joined the Rafael resort from another hotel in the company's stable in Munich, Germany.

Mr. Zunk, who has been with the organisation for many years, arrived recently and is currently meeting with officials from Rafael headquarters.

His appointment comes after the departure of former manager Bill Shoaf at the end of June and resident manager Perry Robinson's decision to join Newstead as general manager.

And one of Mr. Zunk's first tasks will be to appoint a successor to Mr.

Robinson.

The incoming general manager was formerly head of the Hotel Rafael in Munich, a 74-room facility in the historic heart of the city.

His appointment comes after a stormy period for Elbow Beach, when Mr. Shoaf resigned after problems with the granting of a new work permit.

Rafael's Saudi owners had threatened to close the hotel if his permit was not renewed -- he was given a six-month extension.

Mr. Shoaf was also in the headlines after he was at the centre of a Human Rights Commission investigation over alleged racial remarks -- of which he was eventually cleared.

Elbow Beach has also appointed former King Edward VII Memorial Hospital public relations officer, Kendaree Burgess-Fairn, as its new director of communications.