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