Tree of Life Bungalow

Text & Pix. Beverley JANSZ

The prestigious 123 year old Tree of Life bungalow at Nuwara Eliya designed by Britisher, Edward Reed has been converted into a Colonial hotel with modern facilities. It has five cosy rooms with star facilities, retaining the colonial touch. Guest rooms are equipped with hot/cold water, telephone, heaters, room services and laundry service.

The hotel also has an Ayurvedic Centre, with professionally trained staff, a Reading Room' and TV lounge.

The restaurant serves delicious Western, Eastern, Chinese and spicy Sri Lankan cuisine prepared by Executive Chef, G. H. Sarath who counts over 15 years experience. with two years overseas experience. Guests are also offered an A-la-carte menu.

The garden at the Tree of Life Bungalow, has been beautifully landscaped to resemble a mini-botanical garden.

Each year, it has won a host of prizes at the annual 'April Bloom' flower competition organised by the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council, said Assistant General Manager, Timothi Paldano who is also the GM for Tree of Life, Kandy. Manager, Tree of Life Bungalow, Frank Flemmerman treats all guests with a personal touch, and therefore many a guest, both foreign and Sri Lankan have become 'repeater guests' to this hotel which has a blend of Colonial and Lankan culture.

The Tree of Life Bungalow, excelled at the April bloom flower show, held in Nuwara Eliya this year too. This annual flower show is being organised by the Municipal Council, Nuwara Eliya.

The hotel won the first prize in the Commercial Medium Best Garden and Lawn competitions (hotels), the first prize in the Fence and Hedges Competition, and 13 first prizes at the 'Flower Pots' competition, at Queen Victoria Park.

Tree of Life Bungalow, Nuwara Eliya is owned and managed by Tree of Life (Pvt) Ltd. Nugegoda. It also owns one of Kandy's most prestigious and beautiful hotels, Tree of Life. Its Managing Director is Shelly Tenuwara who is a leading personality in Sri Lanka's hospitality industry.

Tree of Life can be reached via E-mail:

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: www.hoteltreeoflife.com

Major boost for Sri Lanka tourism

The Fortress makes it to the US, UK Cond‚ Nast Traveller Hot Lists:

The Fortress, Galle has been named one of the world's hottest new hotels in both the Cond‚ Nast Traveller UK Hot List 2007 and in the Cond‚ Nast Traveler US Hot List 2007. The Lime Spa at The Fortress also entered the Hot Spa List within the US edition.

The UK and US Hot Lists are compiled independently of each other by an anonymous group of writers who evaluate new hotels and resorts around the world.

Being on one Hot List does not automatically guarantee you entry on another, however the criteria for each list follow the same pattern.

The Cond‚ Nast Traveller Hot Lists recognise hotels and resorts for design, service and ambience, making them one of the industry's most coveted designations.

With inclusion in both the UK and US lists The Fortress is clearly a market leader within the destination whose style and service surpass industry standards.

Both lists are featured in their respective May editions. This year the UK version comprises 65 hotels and is the biggest-ever hot list to be featured.

'The Fortress' is the one of the only two properties in Sri Lanka to be included, while in the US edition The Fortress is one of only three properties from Sri Lanka and one of only 138 of the hottest properties worldwide. Lime Spa at The Fortress holds centre court on the US Hot Spa List being the only one featured within the region.

Tom McLoughlin, Managing Director of Per Aquum comments: "Being featured on both the UK and US Hot Lists is a great honour for the resort and reflects the hard work, dedication and passion of the team to create an unrivalled experience in Sri Lanka.

We are proud of this achievement and confident that accolades such as these in two of the world's most respected travel publications will continue to promote Sri Lanka as a destination and encourage like-minded travellers to enjoy this beautiful island."

The resort had the rare privilege of being officially opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January this year and has raised the benchmark for luxury accommodation in Sri Lanka.

With unprecedented levels of service, extraordinary innovation, attention to detail and a unique blend of Old Ceylon with Modern Asia, The Fortress has definitely made its mark in the global map within a short space of time.

Extract from Cond‚ Nast Traveller UK 2007 Hot List: 'Sri Lanka regulars expecting shabby-chic decor will be in for a stylish surprise with this classy addition to the southern shores, 30 minutes' drive from Galle Fort, where shag carpets throw pillows, super king-size beds and plunge pools combine with mood lighting and plasma-screen TVs.

The staff is attentive and English speaking, the imported glassware is beautiful, and the hotel's impressive wine selection is well on its way to becoming Sri Lanka's finest.

To view the full extract log on to the magazine's website at: www.cntraveller.com

Hard work brings out dream hotel

Namal Leitan left the shores of Sri Lanka many years ago to seek greener pastures, to make his dream hotel

 in Sri Lanka, a reality. Now a leading personality in Sri Lanka's hospitality industry, Namal is the proud owner of a 14-deluxe room, star class in Sri Lanka's most popular tourist destination, Nuwara Eliya - Hotel Tanosa.

Namal has also appointed one of Sri Lanka's most versatile hoteliers, Jagath Wijesekera as Managing Director, Hotel Tanosa. Jagath has over 24 years European experience and also holds a Diploma in Hotel Management from Lesan Hotel School in Switzerland.

He has worked with leading travel agents around the world and is now a leading personality in Sri Lanka's hotel industry. Besides being a leading hotelier, Jagath is fluent in German, French, Italian, Maldivian and many other languages.

Jagath said that he will use his talents in the hotel industry to bring in more tourists from the European and Maldivian sector. He has planned a comprehensive program to make Nuwara Eliya the most sought after tourist destination in the world.

- Text & pix BJ

Molinari coffee promotion at Galadari

The world famous Italian Coffee known as Molinari Coffee will be offered to guests from May 15-21 at the Lobby Bar of the Galadari Hotel.

Molinari Coffee promotion will offer four different varieties of Coffee such as Aromatizzato Nocciola Hazelnut, Cafe Gourmet Java Robusta Wib, Costarica Shb Gourmet Cafe Molinari and Cafe Gourmet Kenia Arobicaa. All Pod Coffees will be served with Complimentary Chocolates.

Lobby Bar of the Galadari Hotel located on the lobby level is truly a desirable place to meet, socialize or enjoy an elegant afternoon "high tea". As the sun sets, relax to the mellow sounds of music while sipping a refreshing Cocktail, Coffee or enjoying some delicious finger food or snacks.

Hyderabadi Food Fest at Ceylon Continental

Authentic North Indian Restaurant "Tandoor" of Ceylon Continental Hotel, Colombo will present a "Hyderabadi" Food promotion with a variety of spicy Hyderabadi dishes from May 18-22.

Food will be prepared by the hotels' Indian Master Chefs Rakesh Singh & Ratan Singh with tempting dishes like Hyderabadi Biriyani, Chicken Hyderabadi Curry, Fish Hyderabadi, Puri Baji, Mutton Masala and many more. Also there will be fresh Green Salads, flavours of rice and a tempting dessert buffet with traditional Hyderabadi Sweets at the Tandoor Restaurant.

Guests will be treated to a scrumptious daily dinner buffet which will be offered at a very special price from 7 p.m. to midnight, during the festival.

The Hyderabadi Food Promotion at the Ceylon Continental Hotel, Colombo will be a treat for Indian food lovers, says Public Relations Executive, Onitha Gurugalla.

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