Thilanka Resort & Spa ‘Heaven of Peace’ at Dambulla:

Beverley JANSZ

Thilanka Resort and SPA, Dambulla is a paradise for the tired souls and weary bodies. Once you step into its hypnotic space, and follow the enchantingly beautiful cobbled pathway embraced by a lush canopy of mango trees, you will have already fallen into the mystical charm of this uniquely celestial retreat.

Experience the essence of life, realise the bliss of the simple things, swell with an euphoric sense of peace and be lost in the soft cool realism of nature... at Thilanka Resort and Spa.

The 25-acre Spa Resort is situated in the historic city of Dambulla within Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. It is set amidst an enchanting landscape of hills and open spaces making Thilanka ideal for a Holiday Resort as well as a spiritual retreat.

The pool seems to stretch invitingly far into the mountains making the scene romantic, ideal for honeymoon couples and nature lovers.

The sounds of the birds and wildlife echoing in the air gives one the feeling of ‘Setting away from it all”. The scenic benefit of the surroundings is accentuated at night, especially when there is a full moon out.

The 12 breathtaking villas, with four lavish deluxe rooms, is the perfect hideout, furnished in soft earthy antiques, scented with Cinnamon incense and walls washed with warm shades of oranges and greens.

The Villas are named after a cornucopia of fruits and the ambience and interiors resonate this delicious and refreshing fruit motif individual to each Villa through subtle touches of colour, oil-on-canvas paintings and fabric.

The rooms are the idyllic lap of luxury perfectly blending modern frills with nature aesthetics. At the modern Spa, you will be uplifted as from a divine spell as your body releases its tensions and unties and unwinds. The dining area consists of views of paddy fields, surrounded by distant mountains.

At the spacious restaurant, continental items as well as typical Sri Lankan favourites are served. Guests can dine almost anywhere by the view, in the paddy fields, picnic lunches or any other place of their choice.

The lobby bar is made out of polished concrete and wine bottles, hard liquor or cocktails. Conference facilities include meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions with conference hall supported state of the art, global communication facilities, secretarial and conference services.

“We are planning to start a camping site at the end of the property, bordering Dambulu Oya in order to attract the adventures types, General Manager, Thilanka Resort and Spa, Dambulla and General Manager, Thilanka Hotel, Kandy. Bhathiya Gunasekera said. For December 31st night the Resort has planned a romantic getaway exclusively for 12 couples including candle light dinner and Calypso music.

On the cards is a launch buffet under the mango tree (‘Ambagaha yata sevana’) which can be seen from the main road. It will be done is a grand scale with white chair covers etc. to attract passing vehicles, Gunasekera said.

Thilanka Resort and Spa in owned and managed by Thilanka Hotels and Resort, Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy, who also owns. Thilanka Hotel, Kandy.

From cook to Executive Chef

Beginning his hotel career as a cook and rising to the post of Executive Chef is a remarkable achievement for young Anil Senadeera. Anil who finished his studies at Nalanda College, Colombo in 1990, left for Kuwait the same year and joined Kuwait catering company as a cook.

On his return to Sri Lanka after one year, Anil followed a course in Front Office. Food and Beverage and cookery with the intention of some day achieving his goal, as an Executive Chef. In 1991 Anil joined the Ceylon Continental Hotel (then Inter-Continental) as a steward and followed a training course for six months.

In 1997, he left for Doha Qutar and worked as a second commi, after two years, he returned to Sri Lanka and joined Taj Airport Garden once again. He resigned from Taj Airport Garden Hotel as a Sous Chef.

In September 2006, Anil reached the zenith of his career when he joined Villa Palm Beach Resort as Executive Chef.

Anil who is a graduate of the Ceylon Hotel School, specialises in Western, Eastern, Chinese, Continental, Mexican, “Garde Manage” and Sri Lanka cuisine. He participated in the Hotel Show 2006 (Keells products).

Seasonal events 

... At Taj Airport Garden Hotel

Taj Airport Garden Hotel Seeduwa recently unveiled a series of festivities for the forthcoming Christmas and New Year holiday season.
 

Its affable General Manager Sanjay Singh said that celebrations will commence with the special Christmas “Gingerbread House” in the hotel lobby and also at the “Drive-In” in front of the hotel on the main Colombo-Negombo Road on Monday December 10.

The Kiddies Christmas Carnival on Saturday December 15, invites children to a festive carnival of unlimited fun and games. `

There’ll also be cartoon shows, stalls with fun games and prizes, hidden treasures to be found in the “jungles” and many more surprises for the lucky ones. All this while you dig into hot popcorn, melting-in-the-mouth candy floss, burgers, pizzas, submarine sandwiches, guzzle down milkshakes and more.

Lots of fun, lots of games, gifts galore, fun games for mum and dad too, while Santa Claus joins in with gifts for everyone. The Taj Airport Garden celebrates the spirit of a traditional Christmas with a gala Christmas eve dinner with an exclusive five course dinner.

You can come with friends and family and spend the day by the pool indulging in the fun and frolic of aquatic games. A complimentary bottle of wine awaits every table of four persons or more, while a bottle of Scotch awaits every table of ten persons or more.

31st night takes on the mind boggling dimension of an Intergalactic Journey with the Cosmic Rays. Explore life in another realm far beyond the stratosphere, deep into the whirlpool of outer space.

Let the music envelop you as you sway to the pulsating rhythms of the ‘Cosmic Rays’ with super singing sensation Ginger and DJ Luke.

Win complimentary stays in 5 star Taj hotels at exoting locations, return air tickets, dinner in exclusive restaurants and many more such exciting prizes in the raffle draw.

... At Hotel Ceysands

Hotel Ceysands, Bentota has made elaborate plans to celebrate Christmas and the New Year on a grand scale.

The celebration begin today with a Santa’s Christmas cocktail promotion at the ‘Outer Lounge’, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Christmas carols.

A candle light special Christmas. Eve Gala dinner buffet will be offered to guests at the South Lawn Garden by the pool with live music for dining/dancing by “Shine” and DJ music. Lucky room draw, prizes and surprises, grand Christmas hamper draw and many more specials will be offered to guests.

On Christmas day from 11 a.m. to 12 noon a “Christmas Glory” draw, competitions for children, at which valuable prizes will be offered to winners of the many competitions.

A traditional Christmas lunch buffet, with live music will follow. On December 25 night from 6 p.m to 7 p.m. Sundown Christmas cocktail promotion at the Floating’ Restaurant “Pontoon”.

On December 31 night, from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. ‘Goodbye 2007’ cocktail promotion at the poolside. From 8 p.m. to 10.p.m. a Gala International dinner buffet will be offered.

“31st night” dance to the Golden Oldies, Rock ‘n’ roll music time, lucky room draw, and other surprises will be offered.

“Count down to 2008” Selection of the Ceysands Queen. On January 1st a traditional breakfast with Sweetmeats. Director General Manager/CEO, Hotel Ceysands, Dulip de Alwis and Assistant Manager, Maximus Waragoda have made elaborate plans to offer a guests at Hotel Ceysands a most memorable Christmas and New Year.

... At Queens Hotel Kandy

Queens Hotel, Kandy has made elaborate plan to celebrate the festive season on a grand scale, this year.

Mixing the traditional Christmas Cake are General Manager Ranjan Peiris, Accountant, Lal Kumarapperuma, Executive Chef, Peterson, Sous Chefs A. Dandupola, and Arumugam and F & B Coordinator, Tharanga Wijesinghe
 

... At Ceylon Continental

Celebrate Christmas cheer at the Ceylon Continental Hotel this festive season.

The hotel has all the traditional dishes to make your Christmas Eve a memorable one.” Cafe Emerald at the Ceylon Continental Hotel Colombo will have a special Christmas Eve dinner buffet from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. with traditional Christmas buffet while Tandoor Restaurant will host a special Goan Night dinner buffet from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. “It’s Christmas.. spread the joy.

The air is getting colder and its time for celebrations with family and friends for a festive bonanza.” Christmas day brunch and Christmas dinner buffet at the Cafe Emerald will be with a variety of dishes such as Cold whole Roast Turkey with Cranberry Jelly, Turkey Ham Roll, Roast Chicken with Ham and Cheese Salad and Seafood Salad, Beef Roulade, Garlic Prawns,

... At Dickwella Resort and SPA

On December 24 night - A Gala sitdown dinner of a 7-course menu, will be offered to guests.

Guests can select any of the three restaurants for the sitdown dinner. A surprise of a ‘chef’s special of a lobster’ free of charge at all three restaurants.

Cultural show, Animation display, live music, and many more surprise are on the cards, says Dimuth Fernando, Assistant Manager cum Executive Chef of Dickwella Resort and SPA.

December 25 - Christmas day a Gala International dinner buffet will be offered to guests. December 31 - ‘A goodbye 2007’ diner buffet with a host of prizes and surprises too are on the cards for December 31 at the Dickwella Resort and Spa, Dimuth Fernando said.

... At Villa Palma

Mixing of the traditional Christmas cake took place at Villa Palma Beach Resort, Pamunugama on Friday.

The resort has made elaborate plans to celebrate Christmas and the New Year on a grand scale this year, MD Dr. Nihal Silva said.

Festival activities will begin on December 24 night with a candle light sit-down dinner offering guests an extensive range of delicious cuisine.

On January 1, after religious ceremonies, guests will be treated to a traditional new year breakfast.