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Sun Hill Group to invest Rs. 300 m on expansion

Shirajiv Sirimane

Wasantha Perera receiving the best economy class hotel award in Spain, recently

Sun Hill Group of Companies which celebrated 20 years recently, has invested over Rs. 300 million this year for expansion of their hotels and to add new properties for their portfolio. Managing Director of the Group, Wasanahta Perera said that their target is to have 200 rooms by the end of this year. The group already has 30 rooms at Sun Hill Nuwara Eliya. His pioneering venture Sunhill Hotel Nuwara Eliya won a global accolade when it was nominated as the best Economy class hotel last year.

In addition Sun Hill Hotel Colombo, in Marine Drive has 25 rooms, two restaurants and serves authentic Chinese and Western cuisine. It functions with four Chinese Chefs, making one of the most sought after restaurants for Chinese food both by locals and foreigners.

“We will be opening our third hotel in Katunayake next month. “This would be purposely built hotel with 30 rooms,” he said. This three star hotel would be located close to the airport and the Group targets the airport traffic.”

Perera further said they have acquired a neglected hotel in Mount Lavinia and this would be up graded to a three star hotel and would be opened in November. “This would also be a three star hotel and would have 50 rooms,” he said.

Both these properties would be having swimming pools. The company has also embarked on building a new wing at their hotel in Marine Drive Bambalapitiya, which would add 40 rooms in 2013. “This project should have been completed two years ago however due to red tape it was delayed,” he said. He disclosed that it took them nearly two-and-a-half years to get both UDA and CME approvals for this project. Perera who is also into property development, said that he would be having a total employee strength of 40 by the end of this year.

He was also honoured by Eksath Janasarana Foundation for his CSR initiatives recently.

More entertainment venues needed for city life

Shirajiv Sirimane

A city cannot survive without night life and more entertainment venues should come up, said Managing Director of Sun Hill Group, Wasanahta Perera.

Wasantha Perera receiving the Eksath Janasarana Foundation award from Minister of Fisheries, Rajitha Seneviratne

Speaking to Daily News Business he said that 76% of Thailand economy, 41% in France, is from tourism and in Sri Lanka too this industry can yield quick economic benefits,” he said.

Under the guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa the city has been made beautified and has got a new look, this argues well for the tourism industry.

“Today over 2,500 Indians and Maldivians come even during weekends to enjoy the 'night life’ of Colombo, the industry has also create d over 5,000 new employment opportunities during the last three years,” he said.

When the separatist war was raging, he observed that the Colombo City lacked entertainment and decided to move in.

His first investment was the ‘After Dark’ night club in Kolluptiya and then bought over the ‘Pier Three’ property. He pioneered Winter Palace in Colombo 2 to add the entertainment blitz to the City of Colombo.

He pioneered Lush Night Club, Bristo Latino and several ventures. “Today I have more than 50% of entertainment venues in Colombo,” he said.

With more state patronage the entertainment industry moves to an even higher level in Colombo and could move to areas such as, Hikkaduwa, and the Eastern Provinces where tourism belts are being created.”

Tamarind Hill, Galle re-launched with a fresh look

Tamarind Hill Galle has been re-launched after extensive refurbishment to the external areas of the entire property, the hotel’s management, Asia Leisure Holdings (Pvt) Ltd announced.

Tamarind Hill, Galle

A team from the parent company Asia Capital, together with a design team from Cantaloupe Design came together to extensively redesign and renovate the building’s exterior, the restaurant and the bar, and also landscape the garden. As a result, Tamarind Hill boasts of an air conditioned bar, a rarity in the Southern Capital of Galle.

In addition to the exterior renovations, the hotel has also employed a new General Manager, Christopher Perera, who brings with him over 28 years of experience as a hotelier in the USA, along a new Executive Chef - Ananda Hikkaduwa as well as Chef Kith - both veterans in the culinary industry. The all new restaurant and bar also features a just as new menu and wine list.

Speaking at the launch Peter Jansen, Executive Director, Asia Leisure Holdings said, “Refurbishment of the hotel was one of our key priorities for the year as we believed that our discerning clientele deserves nothing but the best of luxury, charm and elegance. This, coupled with our attractive rates is why visitors to Galle choose to stay with us.”

The hotel features 11 uniquely designed rooms and 2 luxury suites with high quality furnishings and eye pleasing room décor, along with all other standard features.

Asia Leisure (Pvt) Ltd owns River House, Balapitiya, the first ever Sri Lankan property to be featured in Conde Nast Traveller’s exclusive annual Hot List (2005) as one of the ‘Hottest’ new hotels in the world and Robb Report Recommended 100 Ultimate Luxury Escapes for the second consecutive year.

The company also owns the Park Street Hotel in Colombo.