Sri Lanka Tourism Blog

By Sanath Weerasuriya, Pix Credit Shehal (Flickr),
From the very beginning, Kandy has had a special place for Sri Lanka tourism industry. The majority of holiday travellers visiting Sri Lanka mark Kandy as the top attraction on their tour. It has been a tradition to visit Kandy, as it has a blend of old world charm and the character of its own.

The Swiss Residence Hotel in Kandy is a popular place for travelers coming to the hill capital. Built in a picturesque location and surrounded by the scenic mountains, Swiss Residence is a three star property of Kandyan traditions with a Swiss touch. Standing on a one-acre land at Bahirawakanda, The Swiss Residence has successfully captured a charming blend of European and Kandyan culture in its modern architecture.

Hotel Swiss Residence offers 40 tastefully designed rooms inclusive of one Suite and 14 deluxe rooms. All rooms are with private balconies and a panoramic view of the city of Kandy.‘Our hotel is always bound to serve the wants and needs of the guests. It offers a totally relaxing atmosphere and an enjoyable holiday by the cool mountain breezes. In addition to the demand by overseas travelers, it is also a popular place with Sri Lankan clientele. The atmosphere and the services give Swiss Residenec has an edge over the rest’ said Lalith Ellepola, the Manager of the hotel.

All rooms are equipped with modern facilities that a 5-star hotel offers. The suite features a ‘Jacuzzi’ bath with massage and soothing effect. All other rooms are with modern facilities such as telephone, mini bar, television, safety locker and a modern bathroom.

Most of the interior decor at The Swiss Residence has a typical Kandyan aspect. The woodwork and woodcraft, a common sight in most Kandyan ‘walauwas’ seem to be the theme at the Swiss Residence. An attractive and unusual feature is the hotel’s wooden ceiling. The cuisine plays a major role at the hotel. Executive Chef of the hotel, Terrence Ratnayake said, they offer cuisine around the globe for their guests.

‘Theme nights too are popular here. Sri Lankan, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Mongolian, Indonesian and Continental culinary are the most popular among the guests’ he said. ‘The Swiss Bar is designed for relaxation or to have a good time with the boys is guaranteed. The cosy atmosphere puts you at home, as you relax and unwind your knots to some gentle melodies with the company of your preferred beverage. The Swiss bar is certainly so much more’ he added.

‘Private dining at the pool side or garden or at an outside location is also possible on request’ he said. The Swiss Banquet Hall caters for all guests necessities. Conferences and seminars can be accommodated in the main hall, which is capable of having 150 pax and the mini conference hall with 50 pax capacity. ‘Space is not an issue, as our hall can comfortably accommodate up to 350 individuals for weddings and other partie’ said Ellepola.

The hotel has a beautiful swimming pool from where guests get a picturesque view of the hotel as well as the surrounding environs. The ‘Blackout’ is the hotel’s discotheque with all modern facilities.‘We do not open the discotheque on a regular basis. It is on request for big groups and for private gigs’ Lalith said.

The hotel being in close proximity to the Dalada Maligawa, Asgiriya Cricket Stadium, Udawatte Kele forest reserve, the holiday makers love to visit these places in a relaxed mood. Also the excursions to Udawatte Kele, Knuckles Range Corbets Gap are popular with adventure tourists. Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Sigiriya Rock Climb, Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, ‘Victoria Golf Course’ too are popular places of interest and has made the Swiss Residence an idyllic tourist spot.

Indigenous Medical Treatment and Ayurvedha Spa is the latest addition at the hotel.‘It offers various kinds of Ayurvedhic treatment and herbal therapies for hotel guests. It has a specialized doctor and trained therapist at the Centre’ Mr. Ellepola said. The design and planning of this unique hotel has been done by Sarath Bandara Wijesuriya, head of Zurikan Hotels and Travels (Pvt) Ltd. the owning company of Swiss Residence. Sarath is a Sri Lankan expatriate turned Swiss citizen.

The hotel is owned by Sarath and his wife Ruth Wijesuriya and Melani Perera, a long standing member of the hotel has been appointed as a board member of the hotel.

Tree of Life Hotel, is a place where nature takes pride of place. Set in 64 acres of idyllic surroundings at Yahalatenna, Kandy the draw of nature’s tranquility is hard to resist.The mere sight of the splendid location will put your mind and body instantly at ease, wiping out the stress and strain of the life and the day to day rat race.

The Tree of Life is an eco friendly hotel worthy of its nature. The hotel has a unique architectural style, a fusion of colonial features and an openness to nature married in surrounding that are untouched by artificial landscaping.

Surrounded by 700 acres, of land the hotel has a rich history. The old wing was once an estate bungalow built during the colonial era, over 100 years ago.

The hotel is covered by a green carpet of vegetation with the ‘Knuckles’ mountain range providing a magnificent backdrop adding to the beauty and serenity of the scene.

As for the creature comforts of Tree of Life there are 40 luxurious rooms, equipped with TV/Hot, Cold water bath plus private balcony, which offers a guest a panoramic view of the encircling hills. To many this is indeed a romantic setting among the foliage and is ideal for both honeymooners and nature lovers. The hotel has two restaurants, adjacent to the large and beautiful swimming pool. They offer exquisite Sri Lankan and Western cuisine.

A plunge into the crystal clear water of the hotel’s swimming pool which commands a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape is sure to invigorate anyone.

You can chill out in the billiard room or party the night away at the in-house disco or emerge yourself in Ayurvedic herbal treatment the last work in luxury. The hotel’s experienced masseurs will sooth your stress and tension away.

There are mountain bike outings or you may join a trained hiking guide. And that not all, the songs of the wide varieties of birds might tempt you to go bird watching at the Tree of Life.

Conference and workshop groups will find the fully equipped conference hall just the place for brain storming. Manager Timothy Paldano takes care of every individual guest to make his/her stay at Tree of Life memorable. The latest addition to Hotel Tree of Life is four modern Villas.

‘Magul Maduwa’ overlooking the hotel’s beautiful swimming pool is also another addition to Tree of Life. This has become extremely popular for weddings due to its beautiful setting.

Tree of Life is certainly a honey mooner’s paradise due to its romantic setting, Managing Director Tree of Life Shelly Tehenuwara said.

At a time when tourist arrivals are low, we are thankful to the local clientele who have always patronised Tree of Life. We have a large honeymoon market through word of Mouth’. Manager, Timothy Paldano said. Their recommendation of the hotel is highly accepted because the hotel runs to ‘Packed Houses’ on Nekath Days.

Hotel staff have been trained at Tree of Life and posted to the restaurants and Ayurvedic Centre in Japan, thereby giving employees and opportunity to work in Japan Thenuwara said.

Tree of Life is a Japan/Sri Lanka venture and is a Green Globe certified hotel.It won the prestigious President’s Environment Award. – 2005

England’s cricketers have just started their tour of Sri Lanka, drawing thousands of fans in their wake. Rosanna de Lisle highlights some of the treats that await the Barmy Army.

Sri Lankans never seem to stop smiling, but when the England cricket team last toured their country, in late 2003, they had genuinely good reason to be cheerful.

England’s tour of Sri Lanka starts on October 1 with a one-day international in Dambulla, followed by two more on the same ground and two in Colombo. Sri Lankans like the excitement of day-night cricket and will bunk off work to watch screens on street corners, but it’s the Test matches in December that are expected to draw thousands of England fans.

So here’s our guide to the three Test venues, along with a few ideas for the companion who’s along for the ride rather than the wickets.

If dialing any of the phone numbers from outside Sri Lanka, replace the initial 0 with 0094.

Kandy: First Test, December 1-5

The hill capital was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese kings and still has a majestic air that is not all to do with its fresher weather. Arrive from hot, heaving Colombo and Kandy’s magnificent Temple of the Tooth, its calm grey-green lake and its steep, wooded hills seem to belong to another country.

The ground
The Asgiriya Stadium is carved into a hillside. England usually play well here, helped by the kinder climate. “Kandy tends to produce nail-biting, adventurous cricket,” says Charlie Austin. “The pitch is quicker and bouncier and the Kandy supporters are very vocal - this is Murali’s home town. They take on the Barmy Army and the camaraderie is very good.”

Where to stay
Much the loveliest place is The Kandy House, but its nine rooms are already booked during the cricket. However, there are plenty of larger hotels, comfortable if slightly staid, perched above the lake and river. The best bets are Amaya Hills, Earl’s Regency, Mahaweli Reach, Hunas Falls, Thilanka; from around £50 double b & b. The scenic Victoria Golf Course has a lodge and chalets.

Where to eat and drink
Kandy is not well endowed with restaurants but the most atmospheric place to eat is Helga’s FollyPub Royal (cocktails and dinner, about £10 per person; book ahead on 081 223 4571). Bamboo Garden (081 447 6099), up the hill from the Temple of the Tooth, is a cheap and cheerful Chinese with a terrace, bar and big screen; main courses from 400 rupees (£1·75). The colonial at the Queens Hotel and first-floor Pub, both on the main drag, Dalada Veediya, will be post-match hangouts.

Diversions from the field
The fantastically gilded Temple of the Tooth draws pilgrims from all over the world. Go at 10am or 6pm to see ceremonies; don’t expect to see the Buddha’s tooth relic, which is in a casket.

The Kandyan Arts Association has dance and drumming every day at 6pm. The British Garrison Cemetery is full of tea planters, whose stories are told by the caretaker. The Botanical Gardens are worth an hour or three. The elephant orphanage at Pinnawela is well known, but you will learn more about elephants, and can ride one, at the Millennium Elephant Foundation up the road.

Senani Silks, near Royal Palace Park, is great for saris. Isini Gems, opposite, is a museum as well as a shop. Waruna Antiques on Peradeniya Road is worth a rummage.

Matale, 14 miles north of Kandy, is famous for its spice gardens and for the renowned batik artist Ena de Silva’s Heritage Centre (066 222 2404). Book three days ahead to have lunch and you’ll be served up to 20 exquisitely slow-cooked curries.

Colombo: Second Test, December 9-13

At first sight, the capital is chaotic and charmless, but beyond the ugly thoroughfares there are pockets of serenity - avenues of rain trees, parks, temples and the odd grand public building.

The ground

The Singhalese Sports Club is Sri Lanka’s Lord’s. There’s no lighting here, so one-day matches happen at Premadasa Stadium. There’s no breeze and the ground can get hot and humid - for spectators as much as players. Leave the grass banks to the locals and find a seat in the shade.

Where to stay

The teams stay at the Taj Samudra. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if you want to wake up in no doubt about where you are in the world, you’d be better off at the Galle Face Hotel. This seafront institution is decidedly worn and the older rooms are probably only for those who wish the empire had never ended, but the Regency wing now has modern bathrooms (double b & b from £47).

For more sophistication, stay at one of Colombo’s new boutique hotels. The Park Street Hotel is a quietly swish conversion of a colonial bungalow (www.taruvillas.com; double b & b from about £140). Casa Colombo packs bold contemporary design into a Moorish palace. The décor is too funky for its shirt, but the MacBook, iPod and personal butler standard to each room make for a cosseting stay (www.casacolombo.com; double b & b from £180).

Where to eat and drink

England fans congregate at Clancy’s, the bar of the Colombo Cricket Club. Bayleaf, an Italian restaurant with a large garden, is also within walking distance of the SSC (79 Gregory’s Road; 011 535 9653). The Cricket Club Café (34 Queens Road; 011 250 1384) is highly themed, with Bradman’s burger and lots of memorabilia on the menu.

The Gallery Café (2 Alfred House Road, 011 258 2162) has great fusion food and, as the former office of the celebrated architect Geoffrey Bawa, even better style; dinner and drinks from £20 a head.

Beach Wadiya serves simple seafood right on the sands. It’s barefoot-relaxed, but you need to book (2 Station Avenue, 011 258 8568).

Diversions

Cricket widows should be consoled by Colombo’s shops. Paradise Road (next to the Gallery Café) sells chic contemporary homewares at prices so tempting you may want to ask about shipping; at Barefoot (706 Galle Road), vibrant, hand-loomed textiles are fashioned into everything from clothes to toys; and Odel (5 Alexandra Place) sells clothes made locally for Western labels, but without Western price-labels.

Galle: Third Test, December 18-22

Dangling into the Indian Ocean like a chunky jewel, Galle Fort is both historic and increasingly hip, as more and more of its 17th-century Dutch merchants’ houses are turned into hotels, villas and shops. Happily, it remains a living, working town and hasn’t become a museum.

The ground

The stadium should be rebuilt in time for the Test, but it’s really only the pitch that is vital: the game can be seen from the ramparts. “It’s like the carnival comes to town - it’s fabulous,” says Olivia Richli, manager of Amangalla, the Fort’s most sumptuous hotel. “There’s a party atmosphere on the ramparts and everyone gets very, very red.” Hats and sunscreen essential.

Where to stay

The teams stay at the Lighthouse, a late Bawa masterpiece that stands dramatically on a headland a mile from the Fort. Two freshwater pools and a superb spa draw non-residents, as does the sunset over the ocean (www.jetwinghotels.com; double b & b from £85).

Galle’s clutch of boutique hotels - Amangalla and the Galle Fort Hotel inside the ramparts, the Sun House and Dutch House in the new town - are fully booked during the cricket, but will be open to diners and drinkers. Tamarind Hill, a colonial mansion near the Lighthouse, should be open by December (www.taruvillas.com, double b & b from about £110).

There are plenty of cheaper options along the coast, such as Sun and Sand and Thambapanni Retreat in Unawatuna, and Amaya Reef and Cinnamon Gardens in Hikkaduwa.

Where to eat and drink

The best spots for sundowners are the Lighthouse, the Rampart Hotel in the Fort and the Ladyhill (Upper Dickson Road). Dine at the Galle Fort Hotel (091 223 2870), which has terrific pan-Asian food, or the Sun House (091 438 0275), where there’ll be a barbecue for up to 40 in the courtyard and a plasma screen in Dick’s Bar (free tuk-tuk shuttle from the ground). The bars - and beaches - of Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa will reliably rock into the night.

Diversions

There’s so much to see and do around Galle that even a cricket tragic could be tempted to miss a few overs. Wander round the Fort, taking in the Dutch church, temple, mosque, bastions and some surprisingly good shopping (find Barefoot, Elephant Walk, Mimimango and several jewellers on and around Church Street).

Surf at Hikkaduwa, dive at Unawatuna or head into the hinterland to Sinharaja rainforest, Samakanda, a visionary ecological project (www.samakanda.org), or Handunugoda Tea Estate (091 228 6364) which produces some of the world’s finest white tea.
# Red Dot Tours (0113 815 0864 or 01937 842846, www.reddottours.com) is the official agent for the England cricket tour. The company can book all the hotels mentioned above. Its packages are especially good value: Kandy Test, including return flights, eight nights’ b & b, airport and stadium transfers, tickets to all five days of the Test, from £905 per person, based on two sharing. Colombo and Galle Tests, with flights, transfers, match tickets and 16 nights’ b & b, from £940pp. Red Dot is also putting on events for supporters during each Test.

by Rosanne Koelmeyer Anderson

To the elite few it may be familiar but to the majority and the commoner it may be alien, but I can tell you it is fast catching on in Sri Lanka too, in an era when people endeavour to make their lifestyles more sophisticated and of class, an epitome of privacy in its true sense to treat their very distinguished guest on a special occasion.

I am talking of the concept of fine dining which could be availed of at only the five star hotels in Colombo but now also exclusively in the hill capital Kandy at Earl’s Regency too, owned by Sumiko Lanka Hotels and managed by Aitken Spence Hotel Management .

The latest innovation of fine dining here introduces a unique aspect, a Mirabelle fresh fruit juice as a starter, as in the name of its restaurant named after the fruit Mirabelle, a French fruit.

Personalised service with a wine cellar, the Fine dining area can accommodate around 25 guests and serves a Mirabelle Cheese Cake as a popular dessert in the comfort of luxurious style accompanied with an exclusive evening atmosphere.

On seeing this concept being promoted in another district I was happy to think that the Tourist industry had spread its roots to offer its local clientle its latest innovation of classy elegance. Kandy being the citadel of our ancient monarchy and yet a city which upholds its prestige, it is not surprising that it has been the first to introduce the concept of fine dining having identified its requirement.

The Earl’s Regency built on top of a solid rock, on a 13 acre plot has its natural beauty unfolded in every nook and corner of the great piece of architecture, an ideal honeymooner’s paradise overlooking the Knuckles Range, the largest ballroom in Kandy, a Renaissance Spa and is a splendid sight in itself.

It has also received many accolades such as the Green Global Benchmark and a finalist award in the Best Hotel Resort in Asia 2007 to name a few, says Thusitha Samaraweera, the General Manager.

A few decades ago, Kandy was not a busy tourist destination like nowadays and there were few hotels to accomodate them. Apart from traditional names, Hotel Thilanka was one of the oldest hotels to join the new Kandyan era of the post tourism boom in the seventies.

It started as a guest house in the mid eighties, which turned out to be one of the most sought after destinations in Kandy. Even after the Esala Perehera, the hotel is fully patronised by many Sri Lankan and overseas tourists. Nestled in the foothills of popular Udawatta Kele, just on a higher elevation to the Dalada Maligawa, Hotel Thilanka reflects the typical Kandyan traditions.

Over looking the city of Kandy and the Lake, Thilanka has well appointed 87 standard and deluxe rooms. This four star hotel has gone through a massive refurbishing programme during the past few months, which gives the complete face lift to the hotel. According to Thanuj Gunawardena, the Managing Director of the hotel, Rupees 30 to 35 million was spent on up grading 30 rooms.

‘The old wing is totally refurbished and we are currently completing the rest including ten balance rooms, coffee shop and the public area’ he said. ‘We simply do not close the entire hotel for this project. We have maintained our occupancy rate at very healthy level during the past months and we do not want to stop this success. It was a packed month for us during the Perehera season. So we go on step by step refurbishing programme and it will be ready for the coming winter season’ he explained.

Bathiya Gunasekera, the General Manager of the hotel said most of the top travel agents are working with them and they stick to them for various reasons. They always come back to us because we have some extra points such as close proximity to Maligawa, City, Udawatta Kele and of course the service’ he said.

It began life as a private house, built by a wealthy Kandyan towards the end of the colonial era. It has now been enhanced by a six-storey new wing, the minimalist décor of the rooms including elegant wooden furniture, television, telephone and mini-bar with all other facilities.

Hotel’s main restaurant serves menus from around the world. Traditional Kandyan dishes are favourites among Sri Lankan clientele. Continental, Chinese, Indian and Japanese food are popular with Sri Lankan and foreign travellers. Lobby Bar and Woodpecker Bar are two top attractions. Thilanka overlooking the picturesque view of the Kandy Lake, the giant Bahirawakande seated Buddha statue, is the ideal base for excursions and relaxation.

‘We arrange tours to various places of tourist attraction such as Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya, Aluvihare, Lankatillake and Embekke Temples of Cultural and artistic value’ GM Gunasekera said. The banquet hall is one of the biggest revenue earners of the hotel, which can accommodate 400 persons. The Board Room is air conditioned with seating capacity for 50 persons, for all conventions and banqueting . The major attraction of the hotel is its Ayurvedic Spa.

The ancient healing arts of the Himalayan Rishis are there to savour at our ‘Ayurvedic Spa. Like the Nawaratna - the nine precious stones that make up one ring for protection, power and lasting health, our Spa offers the herbal secrets to fitness, wellbeing and regeneration’ GM Gunasekera said. Massages, sauna and herbal baths, facial treatment, yoga sessions, medicinal oils, the wonder of floral ingredients, the help of facial packs, toning, and cleansing are some of the treatments available at the Hotel.‘We have Ayurveda treatment too’ he added.