Travel

Ulagalla Resort ideal for nature lovers

Unique boutique hotel in Anuradhapura:

Gayan Kanchana

The recently opened Ulagalla Resort in Anuradhapura is one of the most luxurious holiday retreats in the country.

The resort is successful with high occupancy from foreign and local high-end tourists.

This unique Boutique Hotel in set amidst 58 acres of lush woodland, paddy fields and ancient reservoirs.

The Anuradhapura ruins and must see historical sites of the entire cultural triangle are in close proximity, making it an ideal base from which to explore.

Ulagalla Resort has 25 luxurious individual chalets scattered across woodlands and overlooking paddy fields and two reservoirs.

Each chalet with its own plunge pool provides complete privacy and has scenic views.

This aristocratic country estate has a long history and was the abode of many a village chieftain.

The very first luxurious property to be commissioned in the post war era with an investment in excess of Rs 700 million is owned and managed by International Construction Consortium (ICC), which is a part of the Finco Group.

The company will soon add two more lifestyle Boutique hotels in Trincomalee and Kalpitiya to their leisure arm.

Ulagalla Resort General Manager, Ranjan Dissabandara said “The most important contributing factor to Ulagalla Resort’s eco friendly policy is the solar farm. It is the largest solar farm in Sri Lanka and supplies 50 percent of the hotel’s energy requirement and the solar panels are designed in a manner to channel rain water for harvesting.

“Waste matter is collected to make compost manure for the organic fruit and vegetable garden. Chalets are constructed largely using fire proof and eco friendly building material Durra which is sound proof, 100 percent recyclable and 10 times stronger than dry wall. The LED bulbs used in chalets reduces the carbon footprint by 80 percent and the A/C utilizes an environmentally friendly gas and the heat recovery system provides the entire requirement of hot water,” he said.

“The property has every creature comfort within one’s reach. Though each chalet has a private plunge pool, additionally there is also a 30 meter swimming pool built in close proximity to the mansion.The fitness centre is furnished with a wide range of exercise equipment and the business centre includes internet, computer and fax among other necessities. The hotel’s dome shaped spa specializes in treatment that will relax and revitalize one’s mind, body and soul like never before. Treatment can be done anywhere in the hotel premises,” he said.

Ulagalla Resort Marketing General Manager Ranjaka De Mel said “the Ulagalla Resort concept is unique as it’s so close to nature, and it is different to the conventional type of hotels.

It has a go green eco concept in the truest sense of the word.”

It’s the brainchild of Group Vice Chairman Harsha De Saram. There are many ways to explore the surroundings, a trek with the hotel’s naturalists, horse riding, kayaking, and archery to name a few.

Each chalet has two mountain bicycles for guests to pedal around the vast compound.

“Nature lovers could get on the observation deck and identify different species of birds and butterflies,” he said.

SriLankan Catering to manage Serenediva Transit Hotel

SriLankan Catering has been appointed to manage the new Serenediva Transit Hotel at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), in a further diversification of services by the SriLankan Airlines Group.

The 24-roomed hotel on the upper floor of the BIA terminal is already in operation. It is designed to provide rest and relaxation for passengers in transit through BIA as they await their onward flight. Facilities include four types of rooms, a full-fledged Business Centre and a fabulous Spa equipped with sauna and Jacuzzi.

SriLankan Catering CEO Sarath Fernando said the transit hotel is a showcase of the country to transit visitors. Sri Lanka with her rich history, culture and natural beauty has many stories to tell to enchant travelers.

Serenediva will provide travelers with a first glimpse of Sri Lanka, giving them a chance to experience the country without having to step outside the airport. The name Serenediva itself is intended to evoke a vision of the isle of Serendib, to subtly persuade visitors to return for a longer visit,” he said.

The rooms include eight top of the range Super Deluxe with kumbuk flooring, mahogany furniture, and a bathtub for a long relaxing soak. There are also four Deluxe Rooms which are double rooms intended for families.

The eight Deluxe-A rooms contain double beds, while the eight Deluxe-B rooms are equipped with single beds for lone travellers. Each type of room has an attached bathroom with sophisticated fittings.

Each room is equipped with a flat-screen TV, which has among its many channels a Flight Information Screen, so guests can see the status of their onward flight at the touch of a button, instead of having to call and find out.

Serenediva further strengthens BIAs position as the finest airport in the South Asian region, already possessing a well-stocked Duty Free Complex, many types of luxurious Lounges, a modern Aerobridge, and sophisticated Arrival and Departure Terminals.

BIA is currently undergoing another phase in its continuing expansion and modernisation.

Goa ordered to remove wrecked ship from tourist beach

An Indian court recently gave the Government in the resort state of Goa two months to begin removing the rusting hulk of a ship that ran aground on a popular tourist beach a decade ago. Two judges at the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court told the authorities they had until June to tow away the MV River Princess, which hit the coast of north Goa during storms in 2000. The giant iron ore carrier, grounded just off Calangute beach, has become a familiar sight to tourists who flock to the former Portuguese colony’s white sands every year.

Local people frustrated by previous failed attempts to remove the ship filed a petition to the court demanding its removal, expressing concern about potential damage to the coastline.

AFP