AS resident manager, Mr. Perry Robinson is responsible for the day-to day running of the hotel -- everything from the front desk, to housekeeping, to security.

He has been with the hotel for the past 14 years, since signing on originally as front office manager, and watched it go through a number of renovation programmes. The massive face lift the hotel has just received, he says, has been extremely successful, and welcomed by both staff and guests.

"They have taken the building and restored it to the glamour and glory of what it was many years ago, but still kept the English charm and flavour.'' The maids and bellmen, he said, were particularly delighted with the changes made in their areas of work. The marble bathrooms and new furniture made cleaning at the hotel both easier and more satisfying, and the attractive new decor made it a nicer place to work -- particularly in the spectacular new lobby. It was a fresh new look that would carry the hotel into the twenty-first century, he said.

"It's like night and day, what we had to what we've got now. We've had quite a few comments from guests, saying they like the changes, particularly the new decor in the rooms.

Many of the guests had been concerned, he said, that the renovations would be too glitzy, and were relieved that the hotel had retained its tradition and style.

"They were very glad to see, too, that even with the changeover, the old faces were still here.'' Many of the hotel's 320 staff had been with the Elbow Beach for many years, he pointed out -- some as long as four decades.

"I think that speaks well of the hotel. And a lot of guests come back and are looking for these people. I think the staff is the reason a lot of guests return.'' Some of the management staff who help Mr. Robinson keep things running smoothly are front office manager Rehanna Palumbo, security director Raymond Smith, recreational manager Mickey Caines, executive housekeeper Frances Douglas and laundry manager Valerie Riley.

Mr. Robinson said the changes in management style brought about by Wyndham had been welcomed enthusiastically by the staff.

"It's a different philosophy, and most of the staff are excited about it. The philosophy is to bring the Elbow Beach to five-star status, which I think is the calibre of the hotel and where we're going to be heading.'' A COLLECTO'S ITEM -- A gilt-encrusted, marble-topped table worth $50,000 stands in the forefront of the Elbow Beach Hotel's newly renovated and expanded lobby.

ANTIQUE FURNITURE -- A magnificent art collection and the elegantly appointed new lobby are a few of the things that will appeal to guests.

RESIDETN manager Mr. Perry Robinson, enjoying the hotel's transformation into a five-star resort.