Neroy to make Earl's the happening spot

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Nestled in the mountains, overlooking the lush Mahaweli river and surrounded by greenery is one of the finest hotels in the hill capital.

Incepted by Sumiko Lanka Hotels Ltd, 12 years ago Earl's Regency is now managed by the Aitken Spence Hotel Management Ltd is the perfect hideaway for a memorable holiday and the dream location for a wedding reception.

The hotel comprises 104 rooms. A fine dining restaurant called Mirabelle, the Karaoke Bar 'The Ministry of Music' and the Diviyan Spa are some of the all time favourites at Earl's Regency. Now under its new General Manager, Neroy Marso, the Earl's Regency team is looking forward to revamp its premises and developing its facilities to provide better hospitality for its visitors.

"Kandy always fascinated me because my family and I used to visit Kandy for the holidays and because it is the second biggest city in the country. I have never worked in a resort property. When this position was available and I was requested to take on the post, I did not refuse. The property and location of the hotel attracted me. I would certainly like to work here for a few years," Neroy said.

Zest spoke to Marso on the changes that will engulf Earl's Regency in the coming months.

Q: Tell us what you feel is the most distinctive or unique feature of your hotel? What best describes the personality of the hotel?

A: It is a very elegant property. We have a picturesque location. Many hotels in Kandy are hidden but Earl's regency is one of the few which can be seen from the main road.

Q: You were the GM at the Cinnamon Lakeside before you were appointed for the post at Earl's Regency. How different are the needs of the clientele in Kandy from those in Colombo?

A: I do not think the Kandy people are different from those from Colombo. They too like to go out and have fun. Unfortunately Kandy is not providing these entertainment facilities.

I want to make this a 'happening' property in form of entertainment, children's activity, jazz evenings, concerts, sing-along bands etc. We have the facilities to do that. We possess a beautifully landscaped open air space to host such events. The events will cater to all the members of the family. This will attract the local people to come out. I am trying to have activities every month with different themes.

Q: Who are your customers and where do they come from?

A: The clientele has changed nowadays. You get a diversity of foreigners from China, Japan, India, UK and the Middle East. It is another challenge for us to accommodate and facilitate to their requirements.

Q: When are the peak time of tourist arrivals?

A: August is one of the peak times when they flock to watch the annual Esala Perehara. There is another peak time from November till January. There is a growth of tourists spreading in all categories of hotels. It is not necessarily a high end market but a mixed market that is coming up.

Q: What kind of tour packages do you offer your visitors?

A: We offer site seeing tours to places like the historic Temple of the Tooth Relic, the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya and the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. The Polgolla Dam and Victoria Dam are areas of interest that we promote.

Q: What changes would you introduce to the hotel?

A: Around 30 extra rooms will be added to the 104 rooms consisting of suites, junior suites and premium rooms. The banquet hall will be expanded to accommodate a banquet of 550 guests . Wedding receptions too can be held in the hall.

The stunning landscaped gardens overlooking the beautiful Kundasale hills will be converted to a cocktail reception which could host 600 guests. We are also looking to launch a glass paneled air conditioned marquee to accommodate up to 350 pax. We are also looking for an are to have a helipad to facilitate the clients who are flying to Kandy.

We will be reviving The Lady Regency Club and introducing an Earl's Club membership to the Kandy society. Upgrading the existing rooms with modern hi-tech facilities is also on the cards. Rugby, cricket and golf encounters will also be a part of the hotel's calender in the future.

Q: Could you mention any special events that have taken place at the hotel in the past?

A: The hotel has hosted some reputed national and international conferences like the Judges Conference, Seventh SLCB MICE Professionals' Conference, International Donor Conference headed by the head of the states in Sri Lanka, SAARC Secretaries Conference, United Nations Development Project Workshop, International Conference on Industrial and Information System 2011 and the International Conference on Structure Engineering Construction and Management. Many foreign cricketers and international dignitaries have stayed at the hotel.

Q: What is the hardest part about being General Manager?

A: It is a time consuming and demanding profession because you have to be constantly on the alert. You need to play several roles at once since you have to ensure that everything runs smoothly. It is a 24 hour job. You need to be passionate about the field to take on this profession.