Hotel Garden Beach

Paradise on Kosgoda Turtle Beach:

Beverley JANSZ

When young Mahinda Abeygunawardene finished his studies at Kalutara Gnanodaya College in 1979, his ambition in life was to own a hotel, as he was anxious to join Sri Lanka’s hospitality Industry. At first it was only “wishful thinking” as Mahinda had no resources to make his dream come true.

In 1983, Mahinda joined the Ceylon Hotel School and followed a basic course in Food and Beverage. This helped him to enter the hospitality industry. He joined Hotel Sapphire, Wellawatte as a humble waitor.

Thereafter he worked in a number of hotels in different categories in the Food and Beverage sector.

Honesty, dedication, and hard work made Mahinda the most popular Food and Beverage Sales Promoter, Down South.

With time Mahinda, who began his hotel career right from the bottom as a waitor, began to climb the ladder of success. In 1989 he left the shores of Sri Lanka for greener pastures and joined the Royal Saudi Air Force as a VIP Guest Receptionist. After three years, he returned to Sri Lanka and joined Hotel Sindbad, (now Kani Lanka Resort) as its Food and Beverage Manager.

It was in 2003 that Mahinda’s ambition to own a hotel, began to blossom when he met a German Investor, Christian Anke. Mahinda and Christian began a joint venture on a 70-perch of land, at a beautiful location at Kosgoda. While in the building process the property was damaged by the tsunami, to the tune of over Rs. 4 million.

However hard work put in by Mahinda and Christian resulted in Hotel Garden Beach, a beautiful “Boutique” type hotel nearing completion. December 16, 2005 was the happiest day in Mahinda’s life when his ambition to own a hotel became a reality.

It was infact not “wishful thinking” when the doors of Hotel Garden Beach, Kosgoda opened at a glittering ceremony, attended by Prime Minister, Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Nation Building Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardene and a host of leading personalities in the hotel industry. It was the first hotel in the Southern Province to open after the tsunami.

Mahinda who began his hotel career as a humble waiter is now the proud owner of a star class hotel which has two luxury suites and eight deluxe guest rooms. All rooms are equipped with modern facilities including A/c, hot/cold water satellite TV, mini-bar, sea view balcony and a 24-hour room service.

Hotel Garden Beach is the closest hotel to Sri Lanka’s biggest Turtle Hatchery at Kosgoda and is a major attraction to hotel guests. Guests at Hotel Garden Beach get a rare opportunity to witness the actual laying of Turtle eggs.

This is an uncommon sight, says Mahinda. “At Hotel Garden Beach guests are treated with a very homely atmosphere and recognised by their name and not room number” says Mahinda. The hotel is mainly patronised by English, German, and French tourists from “Red Hot” Tours, UK.

A unique feature at Hotel Garden Beach is that guests get a marvellous view of the beautiful Kosgoda beach, from the sea view balconies.

The hotel also has a large and beautiful swimming pool overlooking the Kosgoda beach.

The restaurant, headed by a very experienced Executive Chef, offers the very best in Western, Eastern, Chinese and spicy Sri Lankan cuisine. An “A-la-carte” menu too is offered.

Special discounted packages are offered to Sri Lankan families to enjoy a memorable holiday at Hotel Garden Beach overlooking the beautiful Kosgoda beach, and Sri Lanka’s largest Turtle Hatchery at Kosgoda.

Mlesna ‘Fortress of Tea’ in Peradeniya

A major tourist attraction:

Beverley JANSZ

Mlesna, backed by more than 20 years of experience, is known for creating a name that is synonymous with good quality. The pioneer is superior packaging flavoured teas and value added teas.

Mlesna, has now spread to the borders of the ancient hill capital by opening a “Fortress of Tea”, a restaurant, Tea centre and Fine Jewellery shop. Within a short period the centre has become extremely popular among tourists visiting Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya.

Since it budded through on Sri Lankan Soil in 1983, the Mlesna brand name has sprouted many a leaf and its branches continue to blossom in all their glory.

The latest shoot sprung from this prosperous bush is the Mlesna Tea Fortress. Located on the road to Kandy at Kiribathkumbura - just before Paradeniya, it dominates the scene, making tourists feel intrigued enough to stop and investigate what’s within.

A moonstone welcomes tourists into the spacious building where a natural waterfall trickles down to a pond in the lobby area.

The complex is structured using and open-air concept and the ambience within is a sparkling allegiance. Large tea boilers the lobby as well as pictures of early tea production recall the pioneering day of Ceylon tea.

In the process of clearing the land for the building the architects came across a granite boulder of considerable size and developed it into a waterfall that now provids a cool tranquil, freshening atmosphere adjacent to the restaurant.

At the fortress of Tea Restaurant tourists can not only savour delicious international and Sri Lankan cuisine but also taste refreshing cups of hot or even iced tea served swiftly and charmingly throughout the day.

The red-carpeted bridge above the waterfall, which leads to the restaurant on the first floor, indicates that guests are treated royally. Invitingly elegant, the dining area is positioned so that tourists are able to view the lobby area, tea centre and waterfall, while enjoying breakfast, brunch or lunch.

The fortress fine jewellery creation on the ground floor offers an amazing collection of precious and semi-precious stones as well as finely crafted gold and silver jewellery all items available at the exclusive shop are crafted by Sri Lankans.

The Mlesna Tea Fortress provides the perfect opportunity for travellers to unwind, indulge in a good meal and to purchase an exquisite souvenir - all emphasising the Mlesna Slogan of “Naturally the Best”. The Mlesna Tea Fortress is owned and managed by Mlesna Co. Ltd. Its Managing Director is Anselem Perera.

“Cafe Country” state-of-the-art Pastry Shop at Ceylon Continental

“Cafe Country” - The new state-of-the-art pastry shop of Ceylon Continental Hotel Colombo was ceremonially opened by Chairman U. K. Sharma and General Manager, Ceylon Continental Hotel, Anil Jayemanne last Wednesday amidst a host of distinguished guests.

This modern pastry shop could accommodate over 60 guests and is furnished with all the luxuries.

Cafe Country with a cozy ambience is an ideal place to taste savories, sandwiches, cakes and croissants, bread, desserts, tea & coffee, cappuccino, milk shakes and fresh juices, says the hotel’s Public Relations Executive, Onitha Gurugalla.

On offer is a delectable range of cakes like Royal cake, Blueberry cake, Mocca cake, Strawberry tarts, Chocolate Mousse cake, Chocolate chip and many more. A selection of sandwiches such as fish & cheese sandwich, chicken, beef & bacon sandwiches, ham & lettuce sandwiches provide a tempting treat for everyone.

For all chocolate lovers, there is a wide range of chocolates - Strawberry chocolates, Brandy chocolates, Orange chocolates, Almond and Kahlua chocolates, Hazelnut & Pistachio chocolates.

Cafe Country is Colombo’s ideal spot to quench your thirst and enjoy tea or coffee, Cappuccino, Milk shakes, fresh juices and soft drinks.

What’s more, take-aways too are available. Lamprice, Nasi Goreng, Biriyani, Rice and curry, Fried Noodles and Fried rice daily from 6.30 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Cafe Country also offers a variety of breads, made out of Sri Lankan rice flour and kurakkan for guests who are more health conscious.

Taste the Cafe Country delicacies while you get a glimpse of the latest addition to the pastry shop, which is a wide angle LCD Flatron screen powered by Cable TV.

Cafe Country is open daily from 6.30 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. and is an ideal spot to taste delicious pastries.

A taste of Bangladesh at Shonar Bangla

Shonar Bangla is a great place to hang out with friends and family and enjoy a delicious meal. Shonar Bangla situated at the Crescat Food Parlour is said to be the only place in Sri Lanka for Authentic Bangladeshi Food.

The most significant fact at Shonar Bangla is that food is prepared by Bangladeshi Chefs with pure Bangladeshi spices as well as secret recipes which is guaranteed to transform the meal into a memorable experience.

Shonar Bangla which is a BOI project offers distinct, fresh healthy Bangladeshi favourites prepared in a way that keeps folks coming back for more. The Manager of Shonar Bangla, Masbaul Haque (Masum) said that the restaurant caters for both young and old from 10.00 a.m to 10.00 p.m and food is made to order with quality imported ingredients.

The staff at Shonar Bangla comprise of Mizanur Rahman (main chef), Nazrul Islam and Yeasin Shagor with M. E. Rahaman as the Chairman.

- Herbert PERERA

Fantasy Holidays launches website

Fantasy Holidays launched its website www.fantasyholidays.lk at their head quarters at 19/1, Sri Saranankara Road, Dehiwela, on August 15.

A destination & Hotel Management Company, Fantast Holidays specialize in design & implementation of tailor-made tour programs incentive programs, product launches, special interest tours such as eco & adventure, health tourism-Yoga - meditation, educational tours, outdoor training programs, sports tours, and musical & fashion events.

International conference & conventions, meeting exhibitions, agro tourism, buddhist pilgrimage, Archaeological, Tea Culture and many more.

Fantasy Holidays is headed by experienced professionals, Ken Pieris (President/CEO), Chandana Fernando (Senior Vice President/DCEO) and Dhammika Gunasekera (Vice President/Chief Operations Officer).

Fantasy Holidays has also entered into hotel projects at Udawalawe, Kandy, Mathugama, Ja Ela and Randenigala.

“We expect to launch these projects very soon,” Ken Pieris said.