St. Andrew's

A Jetwing flagship in the misty mountains

Lester Jansz

NUWARA ELIYA: St. Andrew's Hotel, Nuwara-Eliya began as a 19th century tea planter's club house overlooking the golf course at Nuwara-Eliya.

In 1987 St. Andrew's turned a new lease of life when Jetwing Group became the owners of this six-acre property.

With 52 deluxe rooms including suites and family rooms, St. Andrews now stands as a large Tudor-style colonial mansion in the cool climes of Nuwara-Eliya, cradled amidst misty capped mountains, carpeted with evergreen tea plantations.

The hotel is set in the ambience of a typical 'English hill country' with each room providing a scenic view of the distant mountains and lush vegetation-clad hills.

Added to the champagne style relaxation, the staff at St. Andrew's, from the smiling bellboy at the foot of the glass-walled entrance steps, to its General Manager, Wester Felthman up to the time of check-out were warm when I visited the hotel recently. The hotel benefits from the cuddling climate with delightful invigorating days and cool nights.

The hotel is ideally situated for day trips to the crisp beauty of the hill country such as 'World's End', Horton Plains National Park, Baker's Falls and other places of tourist attraction.

The charming bucolic Hakgala Botanical Gardens is only eight kilometres from the hotel. The wood panelled billiard room with its magnificent antique billiard table which is 117 years old, is probably the oldest and best preserved of its kind in Sri Lanka.

A unique feature at St. Andrew's is the 'Tea Boutique' from where guests are offered a cup that cheers instead of the age old soft drink. This undoubtedly promotes Sri Lankan tea amongst tourists. The bedrooms at St. Andrew's, have always won praise for their blissful comfort.

Horse riding at Galway

NUWARA ELIYA: Galway Forest Lodge, the first Three-Star hotel in Nuwara Eliya, is to popularise horse riding during the forthcoming April season, resident Manager, Lalith Rajapakse said.

Built in one of Sri Lanka's most scenic locations, Galway Forest Lodge in Nuwara Eliya is situated adjacent to an evergreen tea estate. The hotel offers Star Class facilities to the discerning traveller.

The hotel has made elaborate plans for the forthcoming April Season to offer both foreign and local tourists who flock to Nuwara Eliya during the April Season a memorable stay at the Galway Forest Lodge, Public Relations Manager Harsha Gamage said.

She said the hotel which won many prizes at the April Bloom Flower Show last year, will be taking an active part this year too at the "April Bloom" flower show, organised by the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council.

LJ

Norwegian tour operators assist tsunami victims

COLOMBO: A group of leading tour operators from "Odd-Nash", Norway arrived in Sri Lanka to donate fishing gear to tsunami affected fishermen from Kochchikade. The project was organised by Mr. Fjovtoft of Norway, the present owner of Paradise Farm, Kitulgala.

The group visited many places of tourists interest in Sri Lanka. The group handling was done by Bernard Tours and Travels (Pvt) Ltd. The group paid a tribute to Chairman Bernard Tours and Travels, Anjalo Mendis for the hospitality extended to them while they were in Sri Lanka.

Businessman's lunch at Stix

The Galadari Hotel's Chinese Restaurant "Stix" has introduced an authentic Chinese a four course set menu for lunch from Monday to Friday from 12.00 noon to 3.00 p.m.

Savour the delights prepared by our master chef. The Businessman's Lunch is specially designed to cater for the busy business personalities who require a quick, value for money and delicious meal.

The menu comprises of Soup, Starter, Main Course and Dessert and it's an offer you cannot afford to miss.

Stix Chinese Restaurant - located on the lobby level is a simply exquisite Cantonese restaurant offering sumptuous traditional cuisine.

Stix Chinese Restaurant is open daily for Lunch and Dinner. Weekends and Public Holidays for Dinner only.

South Indian food fiesta at Holiday Inn

The Holiday Inn in association with The Breeze Residency of Trichy will present the "Thenga Manga Festival" featuring cuisine from Andhra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Although most Sri Lankans are familiar with the basic menus of this region, the wide selection on offer would make diners realise that the variety of tastes and textures of cuisine from this region is far beyond what they might imagine it to be.

For example, a simple entree such as Thenga Manga is made using pieces of coconut and shredded mango with lentils while "Vazha Poo Pakoda" are plantain flower fritters.

Among the more exotic main course and vegetarian dishes are Malabar Cauliflower from Kerala, Vendakkai Marsala which is ladies fingers cooked in home-made spices, "Kathrikai Plusu" - Purple Brinjals cooked in Andhra style along with non-vegetarian items such as Madras Meen" - Fish cooked in tangy Tamarind gravy, Andhra Chilli Mutton, Nagai Crab Marsala, Backwater Crabs cooked in Pepper Marsala and Mysore Chilli Chicken.

The special "South Indian Food Fiesta", which started yesterday will conclude on March 5. Doors open at 7 p.m. every evening.