Travel

Pegasus Reef Hotel

The 4-star city Resort:

Beverley JANSZ

PEGASUS REEF HOTEL, Hendala, Wattala has redefined the concept of a "city resort beach hotel" after an extensive refurbishment.

Sri Lanka's first star class hotel, Pegasus Reef is on a new promotion drive to focus the image of Sri Lanka, which will benefit the entire hospitality industry.

After the 2004 tsunami destruction, Pegas Reef virtually came to a standstill. However Rs 250 million refurbishment programme turned the new era of this pioneering hospitality establishment. After this massive refurbishment project, Pegasus Reef opened in mid 2006.

According to Director, Carsons Hotels, Paddy Withana, the new look opens the new avenues in business and it is now one of the most sought after miCe destinations in Sri Lanka.

“We have two big conference halls, which can accommodate over 350 guests with all modern facilities. A smaller conference hall at Pegasus, can accommodate about fifty guests. The biggest advantage in the location. Pegasus is just 45 minutes drive away from Colombo,” Paddy said.

Located on the north of Colombo, overlooking the Colombo Harbour Pegasus Reef is the only resort in the city. A few minutes drive away from the BIA, Pegasus Reef is one of the best transit hotels for business and leisure travellers.

Pegasus is the base hotel for SriLankan Airlines Cabin crew.

The refurbishment of the hotel introduced a new level of luxury accommodation in all 107 spacious deluxe rooms in three different wings.

The rooms are equipped with all modern facilities such as central A/C, cable TV, Telephone, Mini-bar, Safety lockers, Internet connections, Hot/Cold bath and private balcony/ terrace.

The beach “garden” and the pool wings faces the respective directions and the main highlights in all these rooms are the four-star comforts that goes with its ambience and facilities, former Tourist Board boss Paddy Withana said.

The open air restaurant with 150-200 covers has become very popular among guests. The choice of cuisine is a combination of Eastern and Western food together with a range of themes for entrainment. Fisherman's Cove on the beach, spitfire BBQ nights are some of the attractions.

“Lunch Buffet” is a touch of semi Lankan and International combination and the Sri Lankan food, is cooked on claypots. Apart from the dinner buffet for those who prefer to have a different taste, the food could be ordered from the available ‘A-la-carte’ or set menu veteran hotelier, Paddy Withana, said. Paddy is the Director of Pegasus Reef Hotel and Giritale Hotel which are owned and managed by Carsons Cumberbatch Co.Ltd.

Paddy pushes Pegasus to dizzy heights

Since Paddy took over Pegasus Reef as Director, the hotel has been given a new lease of life, and shines as

 one of the best 4-star hotels in Sri Lanka. Paddy has a wealth of over 40 years experience in Sri Lanka's Hospitality industry.

He has undoubtedly made Pegasus Reef, a leading star class “City Hotel”, and a leading MICE market property.

After Paddy was appointed Director, Carsons spent a colossal Rs. 220 million on Pegasus Reef. which is now one of the busiest properties in the city with conferences, seminars and other banquet functions.

Resident Manager, Niranjan Maganathan and Executive Chef Dudley Nanayakkara both well experienced hoteliers, are working round the clock to threat all guests as VIPs. “Their services are an asset to Pegasus Reef” Paddy said.

Pegasus has four banquet halls “Ran Thambara” which is ideal for weddings, banquets and other functions. “Sobana” could accommodate 225 guests while “Pehara” can accommodate around 75 guests “Theatre Style”.

The “Ekwin” Conference Hall can accommodate around 40 guests, Paddy said Pegasus Reef is a romantic destination, ideal for honeymoon couples and lovers.

The hotel is a fantastic photographic location.

It is equipped with Gym, Squash and Tennis. Pegasus Reef is owned and managed by Carson Cumberbatch & Co. Ltd a very senior company in Sri Lanka which also owns Giritale Hotel, a star property overlooking the scenic Giritale Tank.

KPT/Fantasy Holidays to offer expertise to Hotel Industry

Beverley JANSZ

Kenneth Pieris Trust (KPT) and Fantasy Holdings, the two newest entries to Sri Lanka's hospitality industry, are offering a comprehensive range of consultation and management services to the tourism and hotel industry, super marketing and state-of-the-art bakeries and confectioneries.

KPT and Fantasy Holidays are headed by three veteran hoteliers, Ken Pieris as President/CEO of KPT and Fantasy Holidays, Chandana Fernando as Senior Vice President of KPT and Deputy CEO of Fantasy Holidays, and Dhammika Gunasekera as Vice President/Chief Operations Officer of KPT and the Co-Founder of Fantasy Holidays (Pvt) Ltd.

Ken Pieris is a highly recognised professional in Sri Lanka's hotel industry, with over 38 years of extensive experience in star class hotels, resorts super markets, bakeries and confectioneries in Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Gibraltar and Central America.

Chandana Fernando is an accomplished leisure and hotel industry professional who began his career and was educated in the Hotel Industry in UK with a wealth of experience. On return to Sri Lanka in the 80s, he joined the John Keells Group of hotels.

Dhammika Gunasekera is an accomplished leisure and hotel industry professional with a wealth of experience behind him.

He began his career in the Front Office in sales and marketing and went on to hold the highest position as General Manager of Jetwing Group Hotels.

"Our aim is to offer a comprehensive range of consultation and management services to the hospitality and tourism industry, super marketing and state-of-the-art bakeries and confectionaries," said Ken Pieris.

We act on a personal basis with each individual partner to ensure that tailor made services are provided, Ken said. KPT takes an unbiased, consultative approach through which we gain a thorough understanding of the requirement of each individual.

Speaking on Human Resources, Ken said that his company is able to find the right team for the right task, the right man or woman for the right job, in the hotel industry. KPT will find the person with the technical skills and knowledge and managerial ability.

The company takes the best services from reputed architects and architectural firms in Sri Lanka. “We are capable of handling high-rise buildings to single chalets with the most modern and Victorial architectural designs.”

Ken Pieris Trust will, on the invitation of the sponsors or the clients, evaluate the possibilities of taking over any hotel project for turn-key management and marketing, Ken said.

Headed by three veteran hoteliers in Sri Lanka’s Hospitality Industry, Kenneth Pieris Trust (Pvt) Ltd and Fantasy Holidays (Pvt) Ltd at Sri Saranankara Road, Dehiwala will no doubt be an asset to Lanka's hotel Industry, not only needing consultation services, but hotels needing managerial or marketing services.

Hilton Colombo brings to you ‘2100 kgs of Kottu’

KOTTU is indisputably Sri Lanka's favourite comfort food but this distinction may not last too much longer. The Hilton Colombo now attempts to take a nation's yearning for this delicious dish to even greater proportions by showcasing this much loved specialty to the world as part of its “2,100 kg of Kottu” fundraiser.

Join friends and families, and bear witness to what may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in a potential world's first, when 40 chefs from the Hilton Colombo's Curry Leaf restaurant will prepare 2,100 kgs of Chicken Kottu between 5.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, at the Hilton Colombo Sports Centre Car Park.

Open to all, “2,100 kgs of Kottu” is a first of its kind fundraising event, where guests will witness this spectacular blending of spices, roti and lots of chicken supplied by Maxies & Company Private Ltd. Only requiring a minimal donation to enter, all proceeds from this event will directly benefit the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind - the Hilton Colombo's official 21st anniversary charity.

Combined with this extraordinary culinary fresco will be a number of equally unique family oriented activities, from a Modern cultural show, to the Elephant Foot Drummers from Hikkaduwa to Kottu eating competitions popular local artists superstar Shihan Mihiranga, Iraj, C & C.

This event is guaranteed to capture attention. In fact, first time visitors will feel especially welcome in the spirit of hospitality as the Hilton opens its doors to all with even the decor reflecting true Sri Lankan style and incorporating unique culture and flavours.

Seminar/Conference packages from Ceylon Continental

A range of seminar/conference venues are available at Ceylon Continental Hotel Colombo with special packages for all clients at the hotel’s Sapphire Ballroom, Cats Eye Ballroom, Moonstone Ballroom, Garnet Room, The Pearl Banquet and the Oak Room are the most glamorous venues available along with highly skilled trained staff to cater during functions.

The special three conference packages which are now offered at the Ceylon Continental Hotel Colombo, are Bronze Seminar/Conference package, Silver seminar package & Platinum Seminar/Conference packages.

For all three packages the venue will be on complimentary basis for eight hours.

The Bronze package consists of Morning Tea/coffee with two snacks, buffet lunch with Chef's specially compiled menu & evening tea/coffee with cake.

Silver seminar package consists of Morning Tea/Coffee with three snacks, buffet lunch with chef's specially compiled menu & evening Tea/coffee with cake. Also magi board, marker pens, mike, lectern will be offered on a complimentary basis by the hotel.

Platinum seminar package consists of cold towels on arrival, and Morning tea/coffee with three deluxe snacks. local newspapers will be provided during the break.

Fresh tropical fruit platter, fresh juices, tea/coffee will be available, an International buffet lunch at the Cafe Emerald & evening tea/coffee with cake & cookies. complete the picture.

Chinese Food Promotion at Galadari Hotel

THE annual World Spice Food Festival organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has been a tremendous success in the past.

The highlight of the main event is the “Hawker Street” which will be held on October 19th and 20th at the Nomads Grounds, where all guests could walk through the food stalls with live music playing in the back ground.

The Galadari Hotel will participate by offering Chinese Food prepared by Chef Yee Kar Hong from Kuala Lumpur who will be specially flown in to Sri Lanka to prepare the food for the Galadari Hotel.

The food will be prepared by Chef Yee for the Hawker Street stall and the Chinese Food Promotion which will be held at the Galadari Hotel Coffee Shop from October 21-27.

The dinner buffet will consist of many starters, soups, main dishes and desserts. Some of the dishes will be Sour & Spicy Sliced Chicken, Lamb Soup with spices "Chinese Style", Seafood Fried Rice with Butter & Golden Garlic, Stir Fried Prawns with Butter Cream & Curry Sauce, Deep Fried Crab with Salt & five spices, Pineapple & Shrimps Fried Rice with Curry Powder with many more mouth watering dishes.

It will be a fabulous treat for all Chinese food lovers at the Chinese Food Festival at Galadari Hotel from October 21-27.

Pizza like you’ve never tried before at Echo

PIZZA is many things to many people. To the people of Naples, pizza is a way of life, with over 500 pizzerias in the city! For the American pizza aficionado, there are 61,269 pizzerias in the country serving flavours and sizes of different styles and shapes.

There's the thick deep pan pizza of Chicago, the garden fresh, seasonal pizzas of California, the smoky, spicy pizzas of the West, the thick and thin pizzas favoured on the East coast and of course, the Master of them all - the Italian pizzas.

Legend has it that a chef in Naples created this colourful patriotic pizza, way back as 1889 when the Queen of Italy came to visit. Yes, the pizza has evolved in countless directions all across the world.... but the need for the authentic Italian pizza, the way Italians eat it - is an all time high!

This month Cinnamon Grand Colombo, promises the ultimate pizza treat for those with a passion for authentic Italian pizza at Echo, the hotel’s popular Italian restaurant, from October 11-21 during lunch and dinner.

On the menu is Master Chef Giuseppe’s deep pan, thin crispy, folded and open folded pizza options with various toppings, a first time in Sri Lanka for sure. So this is your chance to sink your teeth into a thick, luscious crust pizza in true Italian style!

The pizza repertoire include Pizza biancaneve - a Mozzarella spinach, pine nut ricotta and gorgonzola combination, and many more.