Coco Reef hotel will remain open for the winter this year in a last-minute decision to take advantage of business in the golf-and-spa season, has learned.

Operations manager Robin Gilbert revealed the decision yesterday, a change of heart from management at the hotel who had originally decided in early 2004 that the hotel would be closed for the winter.

The completion of renovations to the physical plant of the hotel played a part in the decision to stay open, Mr. Gilbert said. "At this point we feel confident we don't have to close from that side."

From a business side, he added, the closure of other hotels on the Island for the winter (and subsequent decrease in competition) was an incentive.

Coco Reef does not wish to lose marketing momentum, he added. When a hotel closes for a lengthy period of time, it does not matter what is spent on advertising, he explained ? once the name is out of circulation, momentum can slow.

"We don't expect to be full right to the rafters, but it keeps the lights on," he said.

Mr. Gilbert could not speak to the amount of staff who will continue to be employed by the hotel through the winter months, and was unable to speak with general manager Andrea Jennings yesterday.

However, with the hotel open throughout the winter, he said, the hope was that most hotel employees would be able to stay one.

Reservations at Coco Reef are already picking up for next year, he added, particularly during the summer months. "We're getting calls every day."