Serendib to tie up with Thai partner

Shirajiv Sirimane

REDEVELOPMENT: Serendib Hotel Bentota is looking to tie up with a Thailand partner to redevelop the property to an up market hotel.

Hemas Holdings and Leisure Asia, which holds 63 per cent of the shares, are managing Serendib, which was the second hotel to be designed by the legendary architect, Jeffery Bawa.

Marketing Manager of the Group, Thishani Jayatunga said that they are planning at a total uprate and at a new concept after the tie up. The hotel was also partly damaged by the tsunami and the management invested Rs. 34 million to refurbish the property. Under the programme the management upgraded 14 ground floor rooms to superior status.

In addition, a new reception, resident bar with upstairs terrace, spa and several new features have been introduced.

The management also took over the Spa last month and several new features are to be added to the Spa.

The hotel offers 90 rooms that are pleasantly furnished have tiled floors, large comfortable beds and good ensuite bathrooms.

Rooms come with air-con., satellite TV, telephone, mini-bar, writing desk and chair, balcony, hair dryer and safe.

The hotel has a restaurant serving both local and international cuisine and also has a 24-hour room service.

"It's a family resort with swimming pool and children's swimming area in large palm-fringed gardens with sunbeds and a squash court," he said.

Squash, chess and darts, carom, cycling, table tennis, beach volleyball, droughts, cultural shows, pool water ballet, fire limbo, snake shows, disco and live music, magic shows, competitions are some of the other attractions. Manager of the hotel, Telson Fernando said that they have been maintaining a high occupancy averaging around 83 per cent. "We have also around 30 per cent locals," he said.

He also said that they also offer very high service charges for their employees and they would be touching around Rs. 10,000.

Fernando who was with the Serendib for over 15 years said that they are also offering special one-day Sunday buffet packages.

The hotel is also popular destination among the Dutch and British tourists and is a common repeater client destination. Serendib also have made a name to host over 100 foreign weddings.