Sri Lanka Tourism Blog

Nature, Culture, Luxury… a Lifestyle!

The newest and most ambitious project of Jetwing Hotels, located within 5km of the ‘8th Wonder of the World’-Sigiriya- is the creation of a truly ‘Lifestyle Hotel’. Sigiriya, located within the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka is famous for its rich history and Sri Lankan heritage. Vil Uyana situated within view of Sigiriya rock, on the flatlands that stretch to the west, integrates into an ancient plan - a plan to irrigate, in the tradition of the Sinhala kings.

The introduction of a wetland on reclaimed agricultural lands within the Dry Zone, provides the unique backdrop for this exciting new property. Inspired from local and rural traditions.

A private nature reserve provides a haven for wildlife and a setting of peace and tranquility. The hotel is possibly the first in the world to construct a wetland system with lakes and reed beds to form a private nature reserve.

This has allowed for the first time in Sri Lanka for rooms to be built over water. Centered around water bodies are parklands and woodlands, designed for leisure; an extension of the ancient practice of planning gardens for pleasure.

A challenge has been overcome, for the conversion of Dry Zone chena lands formed by slash & burn agriculture, to a seasonal wetland (land that is inundated by water for part of the year). The colonization of the new habitats by local fauna and flora has been accelerated by the planting of reed beds and groves of trees.

5 acres of land was used to re-grow paddy using traditional methods of farming and harvesting, providing a new and exciting feature. Rooms have been placed within the paddy fields, thereby giving the guest a unique opportunity of participating in both the farming and harvesting if they wished; yet another first in Sri Lanka! The regeneration of the forested groves create a feeling of ultimate privacy and seclusion in the Forest Lodges, the largest of the Chalets.

The tastefully designed rooms boast space as its hallmark of luxury. Dine in the privacy of your room or ‘under the stars’ or simply relax and pamper yourself at the Island Spa with a range of treatments to choose from.

The many components of the ecosystem will be subject to continuous monitoring. The hotel is unique in building a research facility from inception. Comfortable accommodation will be provided to researchers locally and internationally, overcoming one of the key logistics hurdles to field work. The research center also has a library, a room for laboratory based work and a computer room. The guest will be a participant in the metamorphosis of tourism as a champion of conservation. The environmental awareness will be an important aspect of a new ethos.

As part of Jetwing’s responsibility towards local communities an English teaching program is being held in two Buddhist temples located near Vil Uyana. Namely, Rotawewa and Kimbissa. Unemployed youth now attend these classes where they are trained to read, write and speak English. Halfway through their 6 months training they will receive hotel craft training in a field selected from Hotel Housekeeping, Reception, Restaurant & Bar and Cookery. The objective of the initiative is to make them gainfully employable. Some of them will have the opportunity to join Jetwing while others can look for employment in other companies in Sri Lanka or even overseas.

Whether it is the nature lover in you or the task of ‘finding yourself again’ treat yourself to an experience…come be part of the lifestyle!

This prestigious property is scheduled to be opened in Autumn 2006.

25 Tastefully appointed Chalets set in 3 distinct ‘habitats’:

7 Water Pavilions 1030 Sq. Ft (Dining Deck 200 Sq. Ft)

6 Paddy Field Villas 1030 Sq. Ft (Dining Deck 200 Sq. Ft and Plunge Pool 200 Sq.Ft)

2 Marsh Villas 1030 Sq. Ft (Dining Deck 200 Sq. Ft and Plunge Pool 200 Sq. Ft)

10 Forest Lodges 2100 Sq. Ft (Private Pool)

Spread Over 24 Acres of Land

Location:

169 km from Colombo (About a 4 ½ hr drive)

153 km from the International Airport (About a 4 hour drive)

Adding an extra touch of nature and concentrating on the local tourist market has helped a hotel controlled by Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings to maintain higher occupancy. This year the Chaaya Village in north-central Habarana says it has recorded higher occupancy rates than other properties in the area, despite a 22 percent slump in tourist arrivals in the first eight months of the year.

“There is a downturn in tourism, but we have withstood it better than the others,” Shafeek Wahab, Head of Branding for Cinnamon and Chaaya Hotels and Resorts told Lanka Business Report, a weekly business show.

In June 2006, Habarana Village as it was known before was re-branded as Chaaya Village, making it the flagship for the brand.
For many, the four hour journey to Habrana is unbearable after the 12 hour flight from Europe or other far away destinations but the beauty and the serene atmosphere of the hotel leave many awed.

“I think it’s really nice, it’s slightly different from what I’m used to and it’s very peaceful and quite,” said Len Collins, a guest from Abu Dhabi.

Sri Lanka has seen a slump in tourist arrivals since the middle of last year, but even with low guest arrivals the management of John Keells, went ahead with the re-branding.

With five resorts in the Maldives and twelve hotels in Sri Lanka the management was keen on using a different strategy to attract guests during volatile times. It is different from the standard beach resort that most tourists expect.

“The advantage we have here is we can cast our marketing net over a wider category,” says Wahab.

Under the re-branding process the hotel was given a new look with mud coloured walls and lines of trees along the long foot paths spreading over the 14-acre property.
Many who visit the hotel look forward to a very tranquil and serene environment, while experiencing some thing memorable. This includes a growing number of local tourists whose patronage helps hotels ride out the downturn in foreign visitors.

The hotel offers various activities ranging from elephant rides and bird watching to climbing Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress.

One of the unique experiences that guests enjoy is the cuisine from the nearby village.

“Most of the foreigners like the Sri Lankan food and we actually go to the extent of giving them local food,” says Roland, who went on to add that lake fish is one of the favorites among the guests.

With the re-branding the hotel also developed as a training ground for the brand and also for the hotel chain.

Currently, 70 percent of the two hundred odd staff working at the hotel is from the locality, which enables the hotel to extend financial support to the villagers in and around the hotel.

“The ability to attract, recruit, retain and develop staff is not only in Colombo,” Wahab said.

Chaaya Village Habarana was one of the winners of the gold awards for its eco project at this year’s Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) awards.

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There is nothing more rejuvenating than a vacation and that too composed of cheap travel modalities. That means no cruise or casino; just cheap hotels and fun activities and eating and playing around.

CONSTRUCTION of Hotel Hemalee, Giritale began on May 27, 1970 as the first tourist hotel to be built in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.

The hotel’s official opening dates back to September 14, 1972 under the patronage of the then Deputy Minister, Economic Affairs and Plan Implementation, MP for Minneriya, Ratna Deshapriya Senanayake, and also attended by the late Dharmasiri Senanayake a former Tourism Minister.

Standing on a 1 1/2 acre of land on the Colombo-Polonnaruwa road at Giritale, the hotel offers 16 guest rooms very moderately priced, says the youthful Managing Director of the hotel Bandula Ranasinghe, who underwent studies in New York.Hotel Hemalee is a popular stop-over for tourists visiting Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. The hotel offers jeep safaris and Elephant rides. The restaurant with beautiful interior decor, can accommodate around 100 guests and is ideal for seminars and conferences. It offers Western, Eastern, Chinese and spicy Sri Lankan cuisine.

The hotel has a well stocked bar. Special discounted packages are offered to Sri Lankans for family outings and company picnics, for weddings and honeymoon couples. The land on which Hotel Hemalee stands, has been beautifully landscaped.

BUILT on the bunds of the 12th century Giritale Tank with a magnificent view of the tranquil blue water dotted with green islands as a backdrop Giritale Hotel has what it takes to be a tourist paradise.

Built in 1974 and managed by Carsons Management Services (Pvt) Ltd., a senior company in Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry, the hotel exudes a rustic charm with the panoramic view of the Giritale Tank and the surrounding forest as an enticing backdrop.

The hotel has 42 rooms of which eight are deluxe rooms, offering star class facilities including TV, IDD telephone facilities, piped music and 24-hour room service. Resident Manager, Giritale hotel, versatile hotelier, T. Ganeshan and his ever-smiling staff treat all guests as VIPs.

This has resulted in Giritale Hotel being popular among ‘repeater’ guests, both foreign and local. The restaurant at Giritale under the guidance of Bar and Restaurant Manager Malika Edirisinghe offers the very best in Western, Eastern, Chinese and spicy Sri Lankan cuisine, prepared by a team of expert chefs. Giritale hotel is popular for family outings, conferences, workshops and for honeymooners due to its romantic setting.

The hotel is offering special discounted packages to Sri Lankans and expatriates. “This is a golden opportunity for Sri Lankan families to spend a memorable holiday in the rustic charm of the Giritale Hotel” RM, Ganeshan said.

The hotel offers Jeep Safaris to Kawdulla, Minneriya and Wasgamuwa National Parks, excursions to Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy and Anuradhapura. Elephant rides, Nature walks, Jungle Tracking, Bird watching, Village Tours and Indoors Games, Cricket, Badminton and Volleyball.