Travel
 

Ranthaliya New Rest House: The golden star in Kurunegala

OVERLOOKING the scenic Kurunegala lake, the Ranthaliya New Rest House is the property of the Urban Development Authority (UDA). It has been taken over on a management lease by leading hotelier, B. M. Sarath Munasinghe who counts over 25 years experience in Sri Lanka's hotel industry.

Since Munasinghe took over the rest house, it has seen a new lease of life. The rest house has been fully re-furbished and now offers all modern facilities to the discerning travellers.

Ranthaliya New Rest House has 11 guest rooms including two rooms which are fully air-conditioned, and five family rooms. All rooms offer modern facilities including hot/cold water, room service etc.

"The rest house has become popular as a central stop-over for tourists travelling to Jaffna, Trincomalee, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Mihintale and Batticaloa. It has also become very popular due to the modern facilities and delicious food offered to tourists at reasonable prices," Munasinghe said. The rest house also has a well-stocked bar.

The rest house offers the very best in Western, Eastern, Chinese and Sri Lankan cuisine, prepared by an expert chef, B. M. Premaratne who has over 40 years experience in the F & B sector.

He has worked overseas for 20 years at Inter Continental Hotels in Muscat Oman, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Indonesia.

Since Munasinghe took over the Ranthaliya New Rest House, it has become popular for in-house seminars, workshops, banquet functions and weddings for which all facilities are offered. "Special discounted rates are offered to Sri Lankans," Munasinghe said.

The uniqueness of Ranthaliya New Rest House is that it is surrounded by seven mountains - Athagala, Ibbagala, Andagala, Agengala, Skidenagala, Kuruminiyagala and Thondagala. The mountains make the rest house a most scenic location for a perfect holiday away from the busy street life.

Munasinghe also runs the Nawalapitiya Rest House, Rajapihilla Rest House, and the Chilaw Rest House. He is the Chairman of Chance Enterprises. - LJ

High tea at the Cinnamon Grand

THE Cinnamon Grand Colombo brings you a touch of tea time luxury on weekends with a typical English afternoon high tea now being served at the hotel's Tea Lounge from 3.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

The Tea Lounge known for its cozy ambience is an ideal place to enjoy this delightful 'tea experience', with all the trimmings of a typical English high tea, complete with silver service.

On offer is a delectable range of sweet and savoury afternoon tea time delights and flavoursome tea varieties all laid and severed in style in keeping to the traditions associated with a typical English high tea.

A selection of finger sandwiches with an assortment of fillings, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates, pastries and cakes, tempting scones with cream and jam and crumpets are part of this refreshing experience. Adding to the ambience would be the delightful sounds of classical piano music.

‘Shortest in Lanka’s Hotel Industry’

At 3 feet 3 inches Herath Bandara may be the shortest Doorman in Sri Lanka’s Hotel Industry, but his million dollar smile is big enough to win the hearts of tourists who flock to Sri Lanka to savour the beauty, culture and other tourist potentials this pearl of the Indian Ocean has to offer. Employing this “shortie” as a Doorman and greeting tourists at the Galway Miridiya Lodge, Anuradhapura is certainly a novel and unique feature in Lanka’s hotel industry. The brainchild behind this novel concept are Galway Hotel Management Services CEO Ken Pieris and Resident Manager Galway Miridiya Lodge Anton Perera. - Lester