Bermuda’s newest hotel has started to take bookings in advance of its opening later in the year.

The Marriot website highlighted the St Regis Hotel in St George’s as a “haven of oceanfront elegance” steps away from St Catherine’s Beach.

The website told potential guests: “The calm turquoise water and stunning views create an iconic setting where lavishly appointed accommodations, exceptional amenities and impeccable service meets effortless luxury.

“Immerse in unparalleled leisure and wellness facilities. Overlooking azure waters, the pool deck area features two swimming pools, luxuriant loungers and private cabanas for an exclusive retreat.”

The site also highlighted restaurants with “state of the art cuisine” including a steakhouse called BLT Steak, an unnamed all-day restaurant between the beach and the hotel’s pools and the St Regis Bar.

The website also showcased the hotel’s spa and family activities at the St Regis Kids’ Club.

Room rates from $539 a night for a deluxe guest room to $3,600 for a St Regis suite were also listed.

The hotel has started to recruit staff for the scheduled opening in April, with several positions advertised last month.

Laura Purroy, the general manager of Hotelco Bermuda Holding Ltd – the developers of the resort – said in December that the resort expected to hire between 200 and 250 staff.

The $150 million first phase of the resort will consist of a hotel with 120 rooms.

The property’s first residential building, which will feature 15 branded homes, is also expected to open in April.

A second building is expected to open next year with an additional 15 condominiums and further apartments will be developed as part of a second phase “as the market allows”.

Cole Simons, the Opposition Leader, yesterday thanked the developers for their confidence in Bermuda.

He said: “With the current economic challenges as a backdrop, their commitment to Bermuda and their passion for St. George’s has been unwavering and must be recognised.

“What is most exciting for us is the fact that the initial planning and the development was crafted and agreed upon on the OBA’s watch.

“This further demonstrates how the One Bermuda Alliance government worked with international investors to bring a world-class hotel to fruition for Bermuda and her tourism industry.”

An OBA spokeswoman added that the development has 203 workers on site – 60 per cent of them Bermudian – and 36 properties had been rented for employees in St George’s which would boost the East End economy.

The hotel has also been granted a provisional licence for a casino.

Jean Major, the chief executive of the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission, said this month that regulators are carrying out the mandated checks on an application from Hotelco and that it was “doable” for the casino to open this year.