The story of a stunningly located boutique hotel close to Kandy

As threadbare as the cliché may be, it remains nevertheless true that a picture is worth a thousand words. The photographs accompanying this story will give you an idea of the Hanthana Eco Lodge, tucked snugly away on a mountainside in a stunning location just eight kilometers out of Kandy.

Harsha Samaranayake, 43, a senior marketing professional in a multinational company, owns this three-roomed boutique hotel (a fourth room in wood with a cadjan thatch is being added) tells the story of how it all began.

“I’ve always been a nature lover and from my teenage years had a passion for trekking in and exploring the back of beyond. Thus I’ve seen some beautiful places in this country that are little known and had flirted with the idea of owning a hotel in one of these places.”

That’s when he had a stroke of luck. He saw an advertisement for the sale of a small hotel, beautifully located for what he calls “a reasonable price.” That was 11 million rupees. After some hard bargaining, he was able to acquire it for just Rs. 7.5 million which he raised by selling another property he owned.

The location of the property in a wooded area of forest reserves, neighboring a small but spectacular waterfall, was its greatest advantage. What Samaranayake dreamed of was a boutique hotel with a rustic appearance but luxurious appointments.

That’s what he has got at his Hanthana Eco Lodge though at a price as it entailed the investment of Rs. 20 million over and above the buying price. His luck did not run out as regulatory controls did not permit new building at that location. But renovation and development of properties already built by 2010 was permitted and his acquisition qualified.

Hanthana Eco Lodge has a hay-thatched roof with an asbestos underlay. Its external walls are plastered with humbas meti – anthill clay. But as the picture shows, the interior is five-star luxury with air-conditioning, hot water, minibar and television. Each room also has its own private balcony commanding stunning views.

Samaranayake owns a beautifully refurbished vintage vehicle available for hire on the premises. It’s a 1972 International Scout, a Jeep-like vehicle only a few of which are left in the world. He reckons there maybe 10 in this country of which five are in running condition.

He’s also acquired some adjoining land on which he’s growing vegetables.

Given the Easter bomb, Covid blow and present troubles confronting the tourism industry, how is Eco Lodge doing?

“It’s been a lot of sweat but I’m not dependent on it for my livelihood” says Samaranayake. “I have a regular job. I used to sell a room at Rs. 25,000 but now offer a 50% discount to attract visitors. The tourism downturn had given me the opportunity of getting some very skilled and experienced hospitality people on board and that stands us well,” he says.

A guest who was there says it all. “I was at Hanthana Eco Lodge over the week-end. I wish I’m still there. But I’ll be back.”