Habarana and Dambulla rest houses get a makeover

Demi Hewamanna

The Habarana and Dambulla rest houses have been two of the most talked about places when people go up North Central to see the ancient sites at Sigirya, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Today, they have both got a new look, a name and fresh atmosphere.

The Heritage Habarana (Habarana Rest House) and The Heritage Dambulla (Dambulla Rest House) were re-launched by the Galle Face Group of Hotels and the Ceylon Hotels Corporation last weekend. People who have been there quite often would know the difference and changes it has got from the moment they walk into the place.

The Heritage Habarana is a 173 kilometer ride (four and half hour drive from the airport) from Colombo is located right at the intersection of the Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa roads. The Heritage Dambulla is a 148 kilometer drive and it’s a great place to stay when visiting the Rock Cave Temples and day trips can be organized to the historic sites. A special introductory rate for the rooms is being given to all guests and the offer is going on till March 2012.

The four rooms that once looked very simple now have the modern look that one would find in one of the 3 star hotels in Colombo. The moment you get on the bed, you could just bounce yourself to sleep and enjoy the peaceful feeling that surrounds the room. The chairs in the room also give one a very pleasant feeling. If you are not in the mood to go trekking, you can just sit in your room, put your feet up, grab a book, order something to munch or drink and just go to another world. At the Heritage Dambulla one can just sit out in the Verandah or the garden and relax while looking out into the sky and the amazing rock that falls as a beautiful back drop.

The restaurants at both rest houses serve authentic Sri Lankan cuisine such as rice and curry, fresh fish and an amazing selection of Sri Lankan desserts. The Heritage offers special Elephant rides to tourists. Habarana is also close to the Minneriya and Huruluwewa National Parks for all the wildlife adventurers.

Both the Heritage Habarana and Dambulla have snack bars with home made sweets and savouries such as buns, drumsticks, rolls and others for travellers who want to have a quick snack and tea while making their way to see the ancient ruins in Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura or climb the Sigirya Rock. The Rangiri International Cricket Stadium is also just a five minutes drive from the rest house which makes the Heritage Dambulla a perfect spot for cricket lovers to hang out during the cricket season.

Sanjeev Gardiner purchased the Ceylon Hotels Corporation to give life to the heritage hotels of the country and also make it available at an affordable price for the local tourists as well. The hotels that have been done up and coming to a completion are Kandy Queens Hotel, Hotel Suisse, the Surf – Bentota and Safari – Tissamaharama.

For the people interested in going to check out the refurbished rest houses and make reservations there, they can visit the Ceylon Travel Bureau at the Regency Wing of the Galle Face Hotel.

The other rest houses under the Ceylon Hotels Corporation are Hotel Seruwa (38 rooms) and Polonnaruwa Rest House (10 rooms) - Polonnaruwa, Kitulgala Rest House with 19 rooms, Grand Ella Hotel - Ella with 14 rooms, Belihuloya Rest House with 14 rooms, Sigiriya Rest House with 14 rooms, Bay Inn - Weligama with 10 rooms, Hotel Mihintale with 10 rooms, Hanwella Rest House with eight rooms, Pussellawa Rest House with three rooms, Heritage Ambepussa with six rooms and Medawachchiya Rest House with four rooms.