Marriott Castle Harbour Hotel bosses have come under fresh attack one month after some 400 guests were struck down by a mystery illness.

In a bid to reassure the public hotel managers placed an advert in The Royal Gazette earlier this week claiming that all guests had been offered a refund as compensation.

And in a separate letter to guests who attended a charity ball at the hotel, general manager Mark Conklin, accepting liability for the outbreak, said: "We would like to offer a full refund for the purchase price of a ticket to the ball. Please accept this as compensation for any discomfort caused.

"Also, if you incurred any medical expenses associated with this evening, we would be glad to reimburse you.'' But one victim of the epidemic claims hotel management are refusing to live up to their promise.

The victim, a Bermudian who attended the charity ball, claims she contacted the hotel asking for a four figure compensation deal. But she has since been told in writing that the hotel "cannot meet her demand''.

The guest, who does not wish to be named, said: "I was off work for two days because of this. The hotel is just not doing enough.

"In their advert in The Royal Gazette they talk about inconvenience and discomfort but they don't seem to want to pay compensation for any inconvenience that was caused through their own neglect.

"I didn't have any medical expenses as such because at the time my doctor said there was nothing that could be done until what was making me ill was diagnosed.

"They have admitted liability but they don't seem to be offering anything for the discomfort and inconvenience incurred due to their error and carelessness.

"I put something in writing to them because I didn't want to go and see them -- that would only take up extra time.

"But I got a fax reply back in a matter of hours saying that they did not agree. The reply came back so quickly I don't think they could have properly considered what I said.'' And another guest, who accepted a $300 compensation offer after spending the night at the hotel, said: "I know that other guests who attended the ball are holding out for more money.

"They are not happy with the deal that the hotel is offering and a lawyer could be getting involved. I don't think it's a particularly meaty offer, although I accepted it because there's no guarantee that you're going to get a result.'' The local victim has the backing of an American lawyer who is suing the hotel for neglect and deceit on behalf of dozens of overseas visitors who became ill.

Boston attorney Arthur Levine believes that guests should be compensated not only for their medical expenses but also for their emotional suffering, lost earning capacity and out of pocket loss included the loss of money expended on their vacation.

Mr. Levine is also accusing the hotel of deceit.

"Prior to the plaintiffs registering at the Marriott Castle Harbour Hotel the defendant knew or should have known that its water supply was contaminated,'' Mr. Levine said.

"If the defendant had disclosed to the plaintiffs that the water supply was contaminated, the plaintiffs would not have elected to register at the resort.'' Last night a hotel manager defended the Marriott's actions but said he could not comment on individual claims.

"We are doing everything right,'' he said.

"We set up a customer response centre as soon as this happened which is looking at all claims, not just from people who attended the ball but guests who became ill after eating at one of the restaurants.'' HEALTH HTH