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| Saturday, 27 September 2003 |
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Travel go guide Reviving Bawa by Prasad Abu Bakr
After a four month hibernation for refurbishment, Hotel Serendib of Bentota opened its doors to welcome its guests to a world of perfect visual beauty. Created by Geoffery Bawa one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated architects the hotel was one amongst the earliest during the seventies at a time when the country was at its peak where tourism was concerned. Designed in his imitable style the hotel is amongst Bawa's earlier works and in the event of refurbishing its property Serendib Leisure, the owning company decided to retain its image while adding and upgrading its facilities to suite the needs of today's up-market traveller. In its new package for its guests the hotel offers re-tiled bathrooms, a large air conditioned resident bar over looking the pool site and the ocean, a wide based reception and lobby area in comparison to the former one with a rather limited space, a newly introduced games room, internet facilities and cable TV. All these in addition to all the other recreational facilities that were provided earlier.
The large courtyard is indeed a splendid welcome gesture to the tired traveller. The courtyard with its pond has been completely opened out adding grandiose to the entire setting. The reception with a large receiving area is also of added value to the arriving guests. The large restaurant area with its newly introduced mirrors on the walls adds a sense of space and depth. Within its subdued surroundings the courtyard area springs a surprise with bright colours of red and flame orange used to furnish the sitting area. In the rooms additional lighting has been added along with new tile work extending to the toilets. Wide balconies on the upper floor rooms and large terraces in front of the ground floor rooms which were formerly there has been maintained to preserve yet another Bawa trait. Hotel Serendib which has gone through rough waters in the past along with the travel industry it was catering to has revived itself in style, Channa Daswatte has paid meticulous attention in preserving certain attributes which were there in its original form, Artist Laki Senanayake's 'Maiden' at the entrance and Architect Ismeth Rahims' drawings and beaten copper art works are amongst them. With all its past glory intact Hotel Serendib does not fail to make that ardent promise to the traveller of the future. #################### Tourism Minister to amend Excise Department Act by Shirajiv Sirimane The Minister of Tourism Gamini Lokuge said that he would take immediate action either to remove or amend some of the ageing clauses in the Excise Department Act. According to the 1936 Excise Department Ordinance no female bar tender is permitted either to mix or serve liquor in the hospitality industry. The Minister in response to a suggestion made by the 'Daily News' agreed that this act should change and said that he would take swift action to alter this clause enabling female bar tenders to serve liquor which is a common practise all over the world except in Muslim countries. The Minister said on an earlier initiative he had changed some of the clauses which prevented even inhouse guests consuming liquor during poya days. At the recently concluded Annual Bar Tender's Contest a female won the event and she was selected to represent Sri Lanka at the World championships which will be held in France end of the year. #################### Exquisite resort in Ihuru island by Shirajiv Sirimane in Male
The speedboat shrilling the shallow blue waters of the Indian Ocean from Maldives International Airport takes you right into the Island revealing its typical unspoiled natural beauty while you stand amazed over the incredible structure of a different calibre. Ihuru has one of the best and well-protected house reefs in the country while natural snorkelling and scuba diving are in demand. With the coral reef only a couple of metres from the beach, you need only to step out of your villa to discover the beauty that sustains this island. Most of the diving gear and dingy boats are provided free of charge. Ihuru resort comprises 45 alluring villas with private gardens, verandahs and private dining and sitting areas. Although modern facilities are installed in the villas, utmost attention is given to ensure a friendly environment.
He said that the hotel has also made a name for its underwater weddings. "We take the couple underwater and ask them to exchange rings. Some of the other ceremonies too are performed underwater according to their customs. "We even take an underwater photographer and the whole process is done in sign language." The Manager said that the relatives of the couples too can join them to witness this underwater wedding. "Unlike a traditional wedding there is never a problem of accommodation!" He said that the management is also involved in a turtle conservation project and has specially hired three marine biologists for this purpose. "We do this in a very scientific manner and once the turtles are released we are able to keep a track of them through our advanced computer tracking devices. "We have tracked that a couple of our turtles are now settled down in Seychelles!" He said that their Spa is one key area of their success. "We have many clients from Europe and Japan who are regular visitors to the Spa". He said that the tourism industry in the country is only 30 years old the government has identified key areas and is addressing their problems in a very professional and effective manner. "I am very happy to work in such an environment," he said with conviction. A hotelier having worked in USA and London for three years, he said that many Sri Lankans are visiting the hotel. "This may be because the Deer Park hotel in Polonnaruwa is being managed by our parent company Banyan Tree group." Angsana was established by Banyan Tree Holdings as a part of their projects to diversify the group's business operations. The first Angsana Resort and Spa was opened in Bintan, Indonesia in June 2000. Today, Angsana has 15 Spas around the world and they have developed their business across the globe in Australia, India, Thailand, Indonesia, the Maldives, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Guam, China and now in Sri Lanka with Crescat City. Angsana Resort, Male could be contacted through their web site, www.angsana.com |
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Produced by Lake House |
Angsana Resort and Spa, a five-star hotel in Maldives is located in of
Ihuru, a small island which takes not more than ten minutes to canoe
around it.
The Executive Assistant Manager of the hotel, Christian Sack a
Hungarian national said that the hotel encircled by a shallow lagoon,
pristine reef teeming with technicolour corals, diverse marine life,
palm-fringed beach and crystal line waters, is one of the most picturesque
Maldivian islands.
