Palm Village under new management

PALM Village Hotel Uswetakeiyawa, has completed Rs. 30 million-refurbishment programme.

The refurbishment programme includes air conditioning all the rooms, introduction of satellite TV, upgrading of toilets with hot water, pool area and the picturesque garden.

The hotel constructed 23 years also under went a management change on 1 August and is now being managed by McLarense group. Lakshitha Wegodapola General Manager of the Hotel said that 50 rooms have been fully furnished with all modern facilities.

He said that after the refurbishment their clientele has staidly increased with new markets being opened up. "We are expecting a high occupancy for the season," he said.

One of the main attractions of the hotel is the its location in close proximity to the Colombo international airport. "This has resulted in several tour operators recommending this hotel to transit tourists and for airlines crews," he said. Both the local and foreign wedding market too is growing.

One of the main clienteles for the hotel also include Lankan companies patronising their hotel for conferences and also for out ward bound programs. The conference facilities in the hotel too have been upgraded.

The day excursions to Muthurajawela and to the Negombo Dutch heritage sites are popular among foreign clientele.

The leisure activities in the hotel include flood lit tennis, a modern gymnasium, table tennis and facilities for indoor games. The sea frontage, beach, turtle, water skiing, diving too are very popular.

Week end buffet and the beach bar too are some of the other attraction to the hotel. "Palm Village Hotel is ideal for a fun filled holiday" he said. - SS

Confifi re-launch website

CONFIFI Group Hotels re-launched of its website (www.confifihotels.net) last week

"Internet presence is a major factor in vacation decision making, and travellers are utilising the web more and more for possible getaway destinations.

Our new website has already proven to be more effective and successful in conveying updates to potential and repeat guests and is a great source of business", said General Manager Sales and Marketing Anushka Lovell.

Site provides information on accommodation, dining, spa and ayurveda treatments, recreational activities, wedding and honeymoon offers, conference facilities, photo gallery, newsletter and more.

On the e-commerce side, visitors may make room reservations on line. New to the site will be an on-line purchase for gift certificates, e-newsletter, and link to subsidiary companies such as Confifi Hotel Supplies and Travelanka.

Confifi Group Hotels currently operates and manages three resorts (Eden Resort & Spa, Riverina Hotel, and Club Palm Garden) on the south west coast of Sri Lanka with a total inventory of 490 rooms.

Amongst these resorts, there is a selection of accommodation, spa and ayurveda treatments, food and beverage outlets, conference venues, a fitness center, mini golf, horse riding, discotheque, swimming pools, children's club with a host of activities and more.

The resorts are conveniently located just 80-minutes' drive from the city of Colombo.

Confifi Group Hotels' 4th resort Confifi Beach Hotel will be completed, revamped and reopened in 2006.

Austrian Airlines crew at Club Hotel Dolphin

CLUB HOTEL Dolphin marked yet another milestone with the arrival of the first Austrian Airlines Crew. The hotel secured this 2 year contract with Austrian Airlines for crew accommodation after competing with 5 star category hotels in Colombo and Negombo area.

Thishani Jayatunge, Manager - Marketing for Serendib Leisure Hotels said that the key factors that contributed to Austrian Airlines selecting Club Hotel Dolphin as the preferred hotel for the airline crew layover was mainly due to the location of the hotel, being situated in close proximity to the airport, its facilities and service and also the excellent command of the German Language of the Management and staff.

She also thanked Doris Turkowitsch, Crew Accommodation Manager of Austrian Airlines for the support extended and for giving Club Hotel Dolphin this great opportunity which no doubt will benefit the hotels' image.

According to Samantha Gunarathne, General Manager of the hotel, the Dolphin team is well geared to provide the efficient service required for such an operation. The hotel had completely refurbished the rooms and have provided Austrian Airlines with exclusive accommodation in a quite environment and all other prerequisites suitable for crew layover.

The hotel guarantees Austrian Airlines a smooth operation and have also outsourced the airport transfer to the Groups travel partner Hemtours Pvt Ltd who is experienced in handling crew transport.

Alpine receives award

NUWARA ELIYA Alpine Hotel has been awarded "Bird's Friendly Resort" by the Field Omithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOG), for deserving services to uplift the scenic beauty of Nuwara Eliya hills as a bird's beloved sanctuary.

Alpine Hotel was largely known as the nest in the hills. This was rightly acclaimed as the Hotel was awarded with the prestigious 'Bird Friendly Resort' accolade.

Alpine Hotel Nuwara Eliya renovated from its ancient building "Planters Home" since 1914, today offers 20 rooms.

The hotel owned by a renowned eco-tourist guide D. G. Mahinda Kumara says that the central hills are home to many of birds as many of the sanctuaries could be found there.

"We have found that Nuwara Eliya has been a bird's paradise for both migrants and endemic apart from other rare specimens of Sri Lankan birds. "There is a very high market for foreign and local, nature lovers," he said.

Apline Eco Adventure Travels also organizes, wildlife safari, trekking, bird watching, water falls tours, site seeing, mountain biking, elephant watching, camping and white water rafting excursions.