Lady Hill Hotel

A blend of Colonial and modern culture:

Beverley JANSZ

ORIGINALLY built more than 100 years ago as a Vicarage of the Church of England, and now Lady Hill Hotel, this restored colonial building still retains its old world charm.

The large open verandah, high ceiling and staircase floor and ceiling of teak, are all part of the architectural heritage of colonial Sri Lanka. Subtly blended with these features are all the modern comforts which a traveller looks for the best of both worlds.

Built stop the highest point in the ancient port-city of Galle, at Lady Hill you have a bird’s eye view of the lush green tea plantations stretching down the mountains to meet the brilliant blue Indian Ocean.

Close to some of Sri Lanka’s best beaches and to the heart of Galle city, but secluded enough to be relaxing and rejuvenating, Lady Hill is just what the discerning tourist and business traveller is looking for.

They say you never truly know a country until you have tasted its food. At the Lady Hill, you will be served up with the best of Sri Lankan cuisine always leaving you wanting more. To add spice to the pot, there is also a mouth watering selection of Chinese and other international specialities.

The pizzas baked in original wood-fired stoves are a must for those with a weakness for Italian cuisine.

The health conscious can relax at the Lady Hill sure in the knowledge that the food is prepared using the fresh ingredients, sea food straight from the Indian Ocean and fruits and vegetables from growers and market gardens within the local communities.

If the Lady Hill commands the best view in Galle (and it does!) then the roof-top open air Harbour Bar is certainly the best spot to soak up that view.

Whether you are sipping your favourite drink or cocktail, or whether you are watching sun set over the Galle Harbour while the stars come out in the twilight sky, the Harbour Bar with its subdued lighting and relaxing music, is simply magic, and provides a panoramic view of the Galle Harbour.

Spend a lazy afternoon in the swimming pool with the entire Galle Harbour spread out below you and know what it feels like to be on top of the world, and for those who really feel like getting active, the tennis courts will keep you trim.

Become healthy, happy and balanced, enjoy life to its fullest maximize your own unique potential through the secret Ancient Science, the science of life, from Lady Hill’s ‘Natural Healting Therapy’.

Have the world at your finger tips and keep in touch with friends and family in the hotel’s Business Room where both email and internet facilities are available.

Housed in a modern five-storey building each of the 20 guest rooms has a balcony which affords guests a view that can only be described as picture perfect.

The spacious and comfortable rooms are equipped with attached bathrooms with hot and cold running water, A/C, mini fridge and bar, piped music to soothe the senses, television with domestic and satellite channels, telephone with IDD facilities and a 24-hour room service.

The Conference Room at Lady Hill, with a capacity for 50-70 people, is equipped with overhead projectors and audio visual equipment. The Banquet Hall is ideal for weddings, birthday bashes and any other functions.

Just 10 minutes away is one of the best beaches in the world, Unawatuna, with the sea often as calm as a pool, this area offers many possibilities for entertainment - you can snorkel and explore the reef and interesting wrecks, you can dive, or you can just soak in the sun.

Directors of Lady Hill, Upper Dickson Road, Galle are Senaka de Silva (Managing Director), Ms. Padma de Silva (Chairperson), Ms. Sonali Mendonca (Director) and Ms. Kishani de Silva (Director).

Themes to celebrate Hilton’s 21st anniversary

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Twenty-one years have flown by since 1987 when Hilton Colombo, the majestic hotel overlooking the Indian ocean and Beira lake was opened.

The hotel, a part of the Hilton Hotels Corporation, recently launched an agenda filled with a spectacular series of events and parties over the coming year in honour of its 21st year in Sri Lanka.

The year will soon be filled with many entertaining programmes, all focusing on the central theme - the number 21. A line up of promotions will also be conducted each month connected with the hotel’s selected theme.

The party atmosphere will get underway with a sensational and flamboyant 21 hour Latino carnival. Starting from September 21 at 6.00 p.m. the entertainment will conclude on the following day at 3 p.m.

The carnival will be held at the Hilton pool side and will present some of the latest fashions on a sea-said catwalk parade, a guest DJ, beverage stalls, aqua aerobics, a sumptuous brunch, a family fashion show and pulsating samba beats.

The Hilton will also launch some CSR programmes where all proceeds from fund rising activities and contributions will be donated to the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind. The Hotel will also grant 20 scholarships to the Sri Lanka Institute of hotel Management.

At this memorable event the General Manager of the Hilton Colombo, William Costley, did not forget to thank all those members in the hotel family for their continuous support throughout the year.

Seventy four members of the staff remain with true dedication to the standards embodied by the hotel since its inception.

Play Pen at Tree of Life

Teachers from Play Pen Montessori, Kandy visited Hotel Tree of Life on their annual staff outing.

Various competitions including singing and dancing, were a part of the day’s celebrations.

The hotel offered them a delicious lunch buffet.

The highlight of the day’s celebration was a cookery demonstration, by Adelwise Ita Romana Vega from Philippines.

Manager, Tree of Life Timothy Paldano took special care to offer the teachers a most memorable day at the hotel. In the picture a section of the montessori teachers. At right the cookery demonstration by Romana Vega. Also present were Alexandra Vega from Philippines, Manager, Tree of Life, Paldano, and Demo Chef de Partie, Tree of Life, Priyantha Weerasooriya.

Pix: Beverley Jansz

Delectable Biriyani at Mount Lavinia Hotel

There are several ways that one can make Biriyani and the fact is that there are more than 26 different varieties of Biriyani!

There is no authentic documentation of the history of this dish or about its origin. The history of biriyani, according to which Biriyani is derived from the Farsi word “Birian” and based on the name, and cooking style (Dum), one can conclude that the dish originated in Persia and/or Arabia.

It could have come from Persia via Afghanistan to North India. It could have also been brought by the Arab traders via Arabian sea to Calicut. One legend has it that Timor, the lame brought it down from Kazakhstan via Afghanistan to Northern India.

According to another legend, Mumtaz Mahal concocted this dish as a “complete meal” to feed the army. Yet, some say the dish really originated in West Asia where in the Nomads would bury an earthen pot full of meat, rice and spices in a pit, eventually the pot was dug up and there was the Biriyani!

Mount Lavinia Hotel will serve you authentic, lip smacking, Sri Lankan Moor biriyani to tantalize your discerning taste buds.

Join the hotel for an aromatic feast of biriyani and its accompaniments at the Governor’s Restaurant from September 13 to October 13.

The biriyani promotion will be held during the month of Ramadan between 7.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. Special arrangements are made for the Ifthar including a prayer area. Enjoy a traditional Ifthar in peace with the magnificent view of the Colombo skyline, away from the urban hassles.

This mouthwatering dinner buffet is inclusive of Ifthar and Mount Lavinia Hotel’s regular theme dinners mentioned below; On Mondays combine the biriyani feast with other Sri Lankan favourites like string hoppers, pittu and hoppers etc.

Tuesdays, a scrumptious vegetarian buffet along with the biriyani. Wednesdays it’s the silk route, a spread of Far Eastern delicacies with biriyani.

On Thursdays it’s Arabian knights with Arabian specialties like kebabs, Arabic rice, lamb leg, shawarmas etc. and biriyani. Fridays it’s barbeque night with delicious chops, roast chicken, grilled fish and biriyani. Saturdays it’s Italian with delightful pastas, and finally on Sundays, it’s our chef’s own specials with biriyani.

Noodle Bar at Cinnamon Grand

Try the ultimate noodle experience at the Cinnamon Grand this month as the hotel recreates the sights, sounds and cuisine of an authentic Asian noodle bar right here in Colombo from September 6 - 16 at the Atrium Cafe, Cinnamon Grand.

The flavoursome feast with an eclectic assortment of noodle based soups and dishes is being brought to you by Master Chef Dimaano from the Philippines, especially flown in to give you ardent noodle fans a taste of the real thing!

The range includes noodle based soups and dishes filled with fresh vegetables and accented with chicken, pork, fish, seafood in tangy and spicy flavours.

The novel, dinner promotion promises to delight the palate of both the ardent noodle lover and the skeptic, with different types of noodle flavours from Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines in this cross cultural noodle feast.

The appetising soups range from Miso Ramen, Tempura Udon, and Vegetarian Soba to the delicious seafood Curry Laksa.

There is also Salmon Ramen Noodle Soup, the Tuna and Soba Noodle to the popular Superior Won Ton Noodle Soup. Spiced Soba and Mushroom combination and the Vietnamese Beef and Rice Noodle Soup are other popular favourites on offer.

There are also veggie soups, for those of you who prefer a more healthy choice and noodle based delicacies such as “Five Spiced Quail” with “Crispy” noodles and Scallops with Black Beans and Birds Eye Chili for the more adventurous.

The noodle extravaganza also boasts of stir fry dishes such as Pad Thai, Mee Goreng, Char Kway Teow as well as other exotic preparations such as Chowmein Roas Duck, Hokkien noodle, Lemongrass, Chili and Sweet Sake and the famous Singapore noodles.

That’s not all, you can even make your own combination with a variety of meat and vegetables and let your taste buds run riot.

Cool down, with the range of delectable desserts, its indulgence all the way at Cinnamon Grand.

Breakfast Buffet at Galadari

The Sheherezade Arabic Restaurant of the Galadari Hotel spreads out a traditional Break Fast buffet during the month of Ramazan from September 12 to October 12 from 6.00 p.m. onwards, for all their Muslim clientele.

The Buffet comprises of Arabic Salads/Mezza, Soups, Savouries, Main Dishes and desserts.

The buffet will also dish out speciality Arabic main dishes and sweets such as Arabic Mezza, Shish Tahouk, Kofta Kebab, Fresh Fruits, Juices, Canji, Faluda, Dates and many more.

The Cafe ‘64, Pastry Shop will also have a variety of savouries from Vegetable Parties, Cold Mezza Platter, Mutton Samosa, Fish Cutlet, Baked Macarno, Devilled Seafood Pizza and Khubus (Arabic Bread), Gothamba Rotti, Sahan Biriyani, Desserts include Omali, Gulab Jamun, Arabic Honey Cake, Mahalabiya etc. The Cafe ‘64 also offers all guests a selection of Take A Way items.

All diners will also be provided with an area for prayers.