Minor, Hemas Groups to invest Rs 2.6 b in Kalutara

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Minor Hotel Group one of the biggest hotel chains in Asia in partnership with Hemas Group would invest over Rs. 2.6 billion to refurbish and build two hotels in Kalutara.

Ranil de Silva Managing Director, Serendib Leisure

The management had already invested around Rs. 550 million to refurbish Avani Kalutara, formally known as Kani Lanka and also Hotel Sinbad.

Avani Kalutara repositioned as an up skilled four star, would be opened on October 1.Ranil De Silva Managing Director, Serendib Leisure said that the second hotel would be constructed for the Minor group’s high end Anantara Brand and it would be a five star hotel offering 150 rooms.“The investment for this would be around Rs two billion and the construction is expected to start next year,” he said.

The proposed five star on a ten acre land adjoining Avani Kalutara would be branded as ‘Anantara Kalutara.’

“The previous management had made an attempt to build a large hotel, and the shell remains. We would use this shell to build a five star hotel or dismantle it and build a new one,” he said.

“One of the biggest advantages would be that with a four star property (Avani Kalutara) next door, some of the facilities could be shared,” he said.

He said that Avani Kalutara which is located in a prime property between the lagoon and the sea in Kalutara was neglected for some time and needed a major face lift.

“This is the reason the management decided to go in for a complete overhaul of the property and also to prepare the hotel for the up coming winter season,” he said.

In addition the hotel also had to be upgraded to meet the high Avani standards maintained in all their properties spread all over Asia. This refurbishment included the upgrading of all the 105 rooms with flat screen TV, DVD, wifi,tea coffer facility, modern bathrooms and new furniture and color schemes.

It would also have four categories, with 16 court yard , 43 lagoon and 40 sea view rooms, and six suites.

The management will also offer three different accommodation plans which include all an inclusive package.

“The property has not being high priced and we are looking at offering ‘bed and breakfast’ for around US $ 100.An international spa too would be in offer.

He said that they would mainly concentrate on the European and Asian markets and already they received many forward bookings from UK.

The investments for the property had been made mainly through borrowings and investments made from both Minor Group and Serendib.

“With the current healthy travel pattern the group expects ‘pay back’ in three and a half years.” Serendib Leisure Management is a subsidiary of the Hemas Group, one of the top diversified listed conglomerates in Sri Lanka with a focus on five key sectors, FMCG, healthcare, transportation, leisure and power.

Hemas which also manages Avani Bentota Resort and Spa opened last year recently announced the arrival of its 1000th guest less then three months in operation.