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| Saturday, 13 December 2003 |
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The hideout in the Boulder Garden by Chloe Griffiths High luxury, concept hotels are increasingly sought and promoted by international tour operators in a bid to attract the most top-budget of holiday-makers to the Island.
Consequently it becomes refreshing to find a hotel that has managed the perfect blend of class, style and ingenuity whilst still maintaining its dedication to its surroundings without immediately buying into the Western obsession with profits and occupancy rates. The Boulder Garden Eco-Hotel in Kalawana has remained true to its' original principles of revealing the best of Sri Lankan nature whilst still conserving and protecting its' environment and the community it is embedded within. Indeed the normally worryingly low occupancy rate of only 20% as an average for its' opening year appears unperturbing to the manager, Prematilake Herath, who prefers to emphasise the need to remain "true to it's eco-tourism intentions".
And it appears this sensitivity is beginning to reap the rewards. Now open 15months the interest is fast increasing with a dramatic rise in occupancy to 50%. Yet the huge growth in interest is unsurprising. The entire complex has been sensitively and exquisitely created to blend in with, and reveal in all its beauty, its spectacular boulder cave surroundings. Indeed your initial view of the hotel, as you grind your way up the dirt track entrance, does little to reveal the extent of the development. Rather you are greeted by the sight of impressive boulder caves entrenched in the lush hillside with only a small, tastefully-lit stairwell to reveal its existence. Winding your way up the staircase encased within the cave you are greeted by welcoming staff and environmentally considerate surroundings which blend beautifully into the habitat. The 10 suites, arranged in four rising tiers, nestle under the gigantic boulders and reveal panoramic views over the rolling landscape. Whilst the dedication to sustaining and maintaining the natural surrounding is highlighted by the use of environmentally-friendly lighting and only fans to ventilate rather than damaging a/c, although in this cooler, fresh region it is virtually unnecessary. The rooms have been stylish created with an almost medieval feel, rock walls, timber beams, polished cement floors and dramatic furniture complete the look. Even more intriguing is a highly unusual no-door theme. All the rooms are entirely open-plan with connotations of space and opulence, whilst the bathrooms are merely located round a bend or up a staircase to protect the modesty of the user. For those who truly want to embrace nature and be at one with the land, yet still with top quality facilities close to hand, the hotel has developed its' real 'cave rooms'. High up on the hillside hidden from view and entirely preserving the existing structures, rooms have been created within the caves. Entirely minimalistic these rooms provide only the most basic requirements yet in the most authentic of settings, where you can drift off to sleep with all the sounds and smells of life under the open stars yet with the comforting knowledge that if needs be another room is left available for you. The entire complex continues and maintains this exotic concept theme. The pool is empathetically designed under the cliff edge to blend in with its lush green environment whilst the water runs fresh from the mountain stream with eco-friendly filters used to drain out the mud and dirt. The open air and stylish restaurant area is positioned dramatically under a huge boulder over-hang. With sumptuous wrought iron future and shining white linen it is the perfect setting for the luxury 6-course meal that is served. Although initially sounding over-facing the beautifully presented and high standard evening banquet is the perfect quality and quantity to satisfy after a hard day trekking in the closely situated Sinharaja rainforest or around the surrounding hills and paddy fields. The creation of this dramatic concept hotel was a labour of love for it's owner Sarathchandra Ramanayaka who raised the R40million fund and spent two and a half years carefully constructed it to preserve its surrounding and ensure the creation of the "perfect up market nature friendly hotel". |
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