On the heels of the announcement of his resignation, former Elbow Beach manager Ingo Schweder this weekend accepted the prestigious Five Star Diamond Award on behalf of the South Shore Paget property.

The Rafael-owned hotel is one of 100 hotels worldwide, including 17 resorts, to receive the coveted award from the New York-based American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.

And Academy of Hospitality's vice president Suzanne Bender told the staff and management of Elbow should be proud.

The Academy of Hospitality's board votes on the properties based on their performances in areas including service, hospitality and cleanliness and all aspects of its operation.

Representatives of the group grade the property on a scale of one to five, with one meaning exceptional.

Ms Bender said: "We just felt that this property has set itself apart.'' By receiving the award Elbow Beach, entered the company of such five-star resorts as the Four Seasons in Berlin and The Regent in Hong Kong.

In a letter sent earlier this week to Mr. Schweder the Academy of Hospitality's director of operations Joseph Cinque noted that Elbow Beach had been granted the prestigious Five Star Diamond Award because of its "unusual increase in customer satisfaction, overall culinary development and food improvements as well as the myriad of newly-introduced small details which made it stand apart from other resorts on the island of Bermuda''.

"Mr. Schweder, your efforts are well noted in the industry and speak for the commitment and dedication of you and your team,'' Mr. Cinque wrote.

Neither Mr. Schweder, who is expected to leave the hotel on March 17, nor the hotel owners' representative William Guthrie could be reached for comment.

A black and gold plaque was presented to the hotel on Saturday. Also receiving a five-diamond award was top restaurant Tom Moore's Tavern.

HOSPITABLE HOTEL - American Academy of Hospitality Sciences' director of operations Joseph Cinque (centre) presents the group's Five Star Diamond Award to outgoing Elbow Beach manager Ingo Schweder. Academy senior vice-president Suzanne Bender applauds.

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