Shangri-La Hotels to link region

Indunil Hewage

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts broke ground for its new hotel projects in Colombo last Friday as a part of its rapid global expansion plan. Subsequently they also laid the foundation stone on Saturday for Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort and Spa on 145 acres in Hambantota. The Hambantota resort is due to open in 2014 and the two projects mark the entry of the hotel group into Sri Lanka.

The Shangri-La Hotel and Spa, Colombo with 661 rooms is to be built according to sustainability guidelines and will be fully integrated into the local community from the very beginning, offering employment opportunities and infrastructural support.

The hotel to be opened in mid 2015 will have a wide range of facilities such as a 2,000 square feet ball room, 25,000 square feet shopping mall, suchi bar, sky lounge on the top floor, health club, spa and others.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Shangri-La Asia Executive Director Madhu Ramachandra said “Shangri-La as one of the finest hotel chains in the world seal our footprint in Sri Lanka with the advent of peace.

It also fits strategically into Shangri-La groups ongoing expansion plans to link the Indian subcontinent with the rest of the world. We are looking forward to play a small role in the development of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry as well as infrastructure.”

“We believe that our entry to Sri Lankan market would change the entire paradigm of the hospitality industry and intend to further develop the standards of the hospitality industry. In addition, we expect to attract our global customers to Sri Lanka through the group’s extensive global marketing networks and the affiliated organizations.”

Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort and Spa, will be surrounded by an 18-hole golf course, and offer 315 rooms including 24 suites.

Hambantota Resort and Spa will include a Sanctuary, Shangri-La’s care for nature project.

An eco centre will be built on site, to teach and educate guests, colleagues and local schoolchildren about environmental awareness. In keeping with its natural setting the resort’s hot water will be produced using solar energy.

The spa at Shangri-La will feature ten treatment rooms, a beauty salon and health club.

A dive centre, a kids club, a 30-metre lap pool plus and additional freeform pool, two tennis courts and retail facilities will offer recreational opportunities for business travellers and families alike. Together with Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo the hotels will fit strategically into the group’s ongoing expansion plans to link the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia development. The two Sri Lankan properties will be fully integrated into the local community from the very beginning, offering employment opportunities and infrastructural support. Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s premier hotel companies, currently owns and or manages 72 hotels under the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands, with a room inventory of over 30,000.

Indunil [email protected]