booked into the reopened Sonesta Beach Hotel.

For the amazed Nebraska couple received VIP treatment as the first guests following the hotel's major winter revamp.

As well as finding champagne in their room, the couple were offered the first night for free.

And Mrs. McNeil was also presented with a bouquet of flowers by Sonesta managing director Mr. David Boyd.

"We are absolutely overwhelmed,'' exclaimed Mr. McNeil, who has flown here from Omaha for a business convention.

"We didn't know anything like this would be laid on for us. It is our first trip to Bermuda, and we think the Island is really beautiful.'' Said Mr. Boyd: "We wanted to prepare something special for the first guests to book into the hotel following the redecoration.'' As an extra attraction for incoming guests, guitarist Stan Seymour provided a musical welcome as they entered the lobby.

Mr. Boyd explained the 400-room hotel -- which reopened on Friday -- had undergone a major refurbishment since closing its doors in November.

Some 150 rooms were now ready for occupation. And by the end of May all of them should be back in service, along with the restaurants.

Mr. Boyd added the hotel's beach and pool area had been earmarked for refurbishment next winter.

BLOOMIN' LOVELY -- Mrs. Julie McNeil is handed a bouquet of flowers by Sonesta managing director Mr. David Boyd. Her husband, Terry, is pictured checking in.