Life style
Double Tree by Hilton at Weerawila
by Zanita Careem
The Double Tree by Hilton Weerawila, a property situated within the lush bird sanctuary which is home to over 40 species of birds and in close proximmity to major wild life parks with facilities. The nature inspired design caters to both business and leisure travellers.
A stay at Double Tree starts off with a warm chocolate chip cookie welcome and followed by warm hospitality, delectable cuisine and comfortable stay. No matter which Double Tree property you choose you will be greeted at the reception with a warm chocolate chip cookie at the reception, a tradition since 1986. The Double Tree Weerawila, is the first in Sri Lanka and we are committed to maintain our hospitality to create a benchmark for guests around the world said Paul Hutton Vice President Operations South East Asia for Hilton. Krishantha Damunapola GM at Double Tree by Hilton said that he is delighted to be a part of the Double Tree property. A veteran hotelier Krishnatha promises top notch hospitality with his warm smile and hospitality.Krishantha exudes compelling charm and persona. “We have a great team which stood strong at all times to ensure that Double Tree Hilton has the results that we are today”said Paul.
This property has a new three-storey, 78-room modern resort in Weerawila. The newly-built resort is owned by KDU Adventures (Private) Limited and joins Hilton Colombo and Hilton Colombo Residences as the third hotel to be managed by Hilton in the country.
The resort has a exquisite ballroom, nature-inspired meeting spaces, stunning restaurants and bars, which makes DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort a natural choice for the weary travellers from far and wide.
“We are thrilled to launch our first DoubleTree by Hilton resort in Sri Lanka The opening of this stunning property and joining the Hilton portfolio in the country marks a milestone said Vice President Paul. This is a brand that consistently delivers service that is authentic, reliable and straight from the heart,” said Vice President Operations South East Asia for Hilton.
This Resort located 25 kilometers from Mattala Rajapakse International Airport – a convenient 28-minute drive away – and just over a half hour drive from Hambantota Port district, an up and coming commercial zone in the south of the country. The resort is a few minutes away from popular tourist attractions such as Kataragama Sacred City, Bundala and Yala National Parks.
This resort is one of our fastest growing brands with a presence of more than 600 upscale hotels across 47 countries. Over the past decade, the brand has experienced exponential growth, close to quadrupling in size to accommodate the world’s thriving economic and business centers and growing tourism industries,” said Shawn McAteer, global brand head, DoubleTree by Hilton. “We are delighted to welcome this great new addition to our portfolio which is ideal for travellers seeking an unrivaled retreat underscored by superior service and hospitality.”
EXCEPTIONAL DINING
DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort offers exceptional dining experiences through its two restaurants and three bars featuring panoramic views of the tranquil Lake Weerawila along with diverse menus. The restaurents are named after birds in that area
Guests can savor a wide variety of cuisines made from local and seasonal produce at Spoonbill, the resort’s all-day dining restaurant, tea lounge and barbeque grill. The restaurant serves a creative blend of international and continental specialities and features an extensive list of international wines to complement the meal.
At the Redshank, located on the rooftop, overlooking the serene Lake Weerawila, offers a wide selection of seafood, from Sri Lanka’s famed crabs, shrimps, and lobsters to the freshest “catch of the day”.
The resort also features three stunning bars to choose from. Guests can enjoy a round of eight ball pool at Turnstone, the resort’s main bar which offers plush, cosy indoor and outdoor seating; raise a glass after a long day of travel at Hornbill, the resort’s enchanting pool bar and lounge, or sip on a signature cocktail and enjoy the view from Nightjar, the resort’s rooftop bar.
The resort’s 78 Digital Key-enabled, spacious guest rooms are equipped with a 49″ HDTV with entertainment hub, Wi-Fi, king or twin bedding, terrace or balcony, rain shower and Crabtree and Evelyn amenities. Guests seeking exercise or relaxation have a variety of options, including a 24-hour fitness center with 3600 views outfitted with the latest Precor® equipment and free weights, a spectacular 75-meter-long outdoor swimming pool, Yoga Terrace, rooftop Wellness Spa, Karaoke Lounge and Tea Jar by the Lake.
A 10,000 square feet of meeting space, Rajawarna Resort is an ideal venue for weddings, business meetings and other social gatherings. The stunning pillar-less Grand Ballroom, can accommodate up to 600 guests in a wedding setting. The ballroom and the Weaver Meeting room are equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipments, as well as floor to ceiling windows that overlook tranquil Lake Weerawila.
In addition to the above highlights and as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort is participating in the Hilton CleanStay Program to help guests enjoy a clean and safe experience during their stay. The new standards under Hilton CleanStay include a Hilton CleanStay Room Seal to show that a room has not been accessed since being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, additional cleaning of common areas and items, contactless check-in, innovative disinfection technology and flexible housekeeping options.
The KDU Group prides itself on being one of the most successful family owned conglomerates in Sri Lanka. Consisting of 15 thriving subsidiaries, including Tea Factories Hospitality, Exports, Real Estate, Petroleum and a Hydro Power Plant, the tea industry lies at the core of our group. KDU Group are now a leading tea manufacturer and exporter, with some of the largest cutting-edge factories in Sri Lanka.
The KDU Group originating from Sabaragamuwa is the world’s largest black orthodox tea manufacturing facility in the world. It owns eight factories in the Sabaragamuwa Province and produces 12 million kilograms of tea annually, contributing to four percent of Sri Lanka’s entire tea production.
KDU Group has also ventured into F&B, hydropower, and petroleum industries and this is their first diversification to the leisure sector. DoubleTree by Hilton is a fast-growing, global portfolio of more than 500 upscale hotels with more than 119,000 rooms in gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations across six continents.
Pix by Dhamasena Wellipitiya
Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka
The 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the UK-based Institute of Hospitality’s Sri Lanka Chapter was held recently at the Ramada Hotel Colombo,.The event provided an evening of camaraderie , reflection of the past and present achievements,setting new benchmarks for the future
The AGM had the presence of two distinguished guests, the Chief Guest Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and the Guest of Honour British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick. Their inspiring speeches were lauded by all hoteliers who were present at the occasion
A special thanks was extended to Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality UK, along with his team, sponsors, committee members, and all attendees for making the event memorable.
Dr. Harsha Jayasingh, Past President of the Institute of Hospitality (UK) Sri Lanka Chapter, emphasised the Institute’s longstanding history and the strength of its Sri Lankan branch. “The Institute of Hospitality (IH) UK has a history of 86 years, and we are proud to be the Sri Lanka Branch. IH Sri Lanka is much stronger now with many members from all areas of the hospitality industry,” he stated.
Dr. Jayasingh highlighted the significant role of tourism in Sri Lanka’s economy,. He said tourism it is the third-largest source of revenue for the country. “Tourism accounts for about 13.3% of total foreign exchange earnings and employs 450,000 people directly and indirectly. The hospitality industry in this island of pearl holds tremendous potential for economic growth, job creations, and cultural exchange,” he added.
He also pointed out more women should be attracted to the industry and advocated for the use of technology in hospitality sector to attract the younger generation.
The newly appointed Chairman Ramesh Dassanayake spoke about the challenges faced by the industry, including the reluctance of youth to join the sector. . Dassanayake expressed concerns over the migration of staff between hotels and the overall ‘brain drain’ in the sector. ” We must maintain high standards in the hotel We must try to attract tourists to Sri Lanka, we must have with many facilities Hence, hotel schools and other professional institutions involved in skills development mustincrease their intakes,” he pointed out.
Chief Guest Sajith Premadasa emphasised the importance of eco tourism and said “We need to have an environmental policy related to tourism in place,” . .
The 32nd AGM of the Institute of Hospitality UK, Sri Lanka Chapter, was a testament to the strength and potential of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry. The insights and commitments shared during the event set a new benchmark for the future.(ZC)
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Life style
He recognizes human identity beyond boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
Visit of Sri Gurudev to Sri Lanka
Humanitarian, spiritual leader and Global Ambassador of Peace Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Sri Gurudev) was in Sri Lanka on a three day tour on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunewardene. Gurudev who inspired a wave of volunteerism and service to moot one of the largest volunteer-based organisations in the world – The Art of Living – visited the various projects under the aegis of the foundation and launched twelve vocational and technical centers around the island. He was accompanied by thousands of followers from Sri Lanka and around the world.
Gurudev who visited Sri Lanka for the sixth time also had a first day cover launched in honour of his visit. He is a strong proponent of spreading happiness, using the unique Sudarshan Kriya, yoga, meditation and practical wisdom to unite people, empower individuals and transform communities. His programmes provide techniques and tools to live a deeper, more joyous life, while his non-profit organisations recognize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
The Art of Living which has more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers across 180 countries has touched in excess of five hundred million people around the world. CNN called it “Life Changing” and The Washington Post headlined it, “Fresh air to millions”.
In Trincomalee, Gurudev met with war victims and had a heartwarming engagement with the children from the children’s homes run by the Foundation. He also visited the Koneswara Temple in Trincomalee and graced the Kumbhabhishekam at Seetha ecogPnize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion. Amman temple at Nuwara Eliya. He held discussions with the trustees on the progress of the foundation’s social service projects, while also holding a special event – Ekamuthuwa – attended by a large number of dignitaries and his devotees from around the world.
His time with the Prime Minister was spent discussing the prospects of unity in diversity and uniting Sri Lanka by adding happiness into the formula of living. In addition he had discussions with the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, prominent business stewards and civil society leaders.
by Zanita Careem
Envison your dream wedding day come to life at the Epitome Hotel, a prestigious city hotel in Kurunegala offering an unrivalled luxury rendors experience for weddings.
The venue is designed to embody opulence and luxury from all quarters for a spectacular wedding in kurunegala,Thier ballroom is the largest banquet facility in Sri Lanka It can be divided into six luxurious pillarless wedding halls on the ground floor and 25pax smaller banquet halls.
It can be easily named as a five star heaven in the heart of the city contributing to a myriad of immense experiences tailored to inspire and delight wedding experiences.
From opulent décor set up to exquisite table decor, lavish food, every detail is meticulously curated to spark your imagination and ignite creativity for a perfect wedding. The previous prestigious wedding shows season one and season two attracted large crowds
were unique events which gave the wedding vendors and potential clients had an opportunity to connect and interact with each other. Beyond being a showcase it was a chance for the wedding vendors to unite and contribute to the vibrancy of the wedding industry. The wedding show covered all area of the bridal industry providing a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became the most popular bridal exhibitions in Kurunegala.This bridal exhibitions allowed brides and grooms to experience first hand the products and services available from suppliers in Sri Lanka
These wedding shows held at The Epitome created a benchmark and gave an opportunity for vendors to create connections to the utmost satisfaction said Harshan Lakshita Executive Director. of the magnificent Hotel
Our wedding shows featured experts and professionals in every field‘ It covered all areas of the bridal industry provided a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became most popular bridal exhibition in this region.We are always open to everyone to join us at our wedding shows in the future. It is an opportunity to discover the incredible talent within our local wedding and bridal vendors to make meaningful relationships and plan thier special day at our breathtaking hotel The Epitome said General Manager Kavinda Caldera
The Epitome Hotel’s bridal show which will be held end of June will buzz with great ideas,advice and inspiration for all those who plan thier dream wedding
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The Hotel Epitome’s Wedding Season 3 will marked excellence, celebration and inspiration for those in the wedding industry. The exhibition halls will resonate with ideas on exquisite bridal wear to decor, florists , photography etc and showshowcase the rich tapestry of talent within the local wedding industry. .
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