'The Firs' a first for guests seeking nostalgic values

M F Jabir

The Firs, a heritage bungalow over hundred years old in Nuwara Eliya which belonged to two Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka including the first premier and his family is now available for holiday makers.

This latest luxury boutique hotel managed by, Freudenberg Leisure, was launched with the intention of providing guests an exclusive holiday experience, said Maheel Narasinghe , Freudenberg Leisure, Manager Sales and Marketing.

Basking aloft a hillock overlooking Lake Gregory in picturesque Nuwara Eliya,The Firs would cater to the needs of the Sri Lankan up market clientele, while and unprecedented promotions were in the offing for holiday makers, Narasinghe told Daily News Business. Bookings are already open for the Christmas seasons he said.

The luxury boutique bungalow had been originally built over one and a half centuries ago by Philip Freudenberg, Ceylon's first Imperial German Counsel. His descendants later sold the property in the 1900's and left Ceylon. The bungalow has been upgraded without harming its pristine structure. The only addition is an attic which could be used as a private area to dine or watch TV or even have a private party. It comprises a bar and a cigar room.

Quite a few original items and furniture used by the dignitaries have been refurbished and available at the bungalow for the use of guests. Most of the paintings are originals which span back to the period of the legends. The bathrooms have been modernized, while each suite is different.

One of the unique features is that a block of land had been reserved for the cultivation of organic vegetables while the guests would have the opportunity to select their choice and get the butler and chefs to prepare their preferred dishes.

Another specialty is the personalized service with no regular times for meals. Guests have the option to order their meals at any time they want, he added. Priantha Fernando, Senior Consultant, Freudenberg Leisure said, "what is unique of this concept is it being a heritage bungalow which has been there for over hundred years.

In tourism there is a niche market which goes after nostalgic values or places where royalty have stayed or lived.

When you consider the Eco concept people pay a lot of money, much more than for a four or five star hotel, merely for simplicity. Here also it is the same. This market will pay any amount just to say we had our holiday at the first Prime Minister bungalow in Nuwara Eliya.

The hotel offers many outdoor activities that others could not offer. Golf, horse riding, cloud fishing at Horton Plains and hiking which will be incorporated into the total package. "Every Sri Lankan who can afford to get a feel how Nuwara Eliya was 30 or 40 years ago, would grab this opportunity.

Yesteryear ways of spending nights cuddled under a blanket or to dress up for dinner had diminished over the years. Hence, this heritage bungalow is more of a modern complex to create an environment that had existed 30-40 years ago," he said. "The property would be marketed as a all new concept. Marketing wise the trend had changed into more web based marketing.

Nearly 20-22 % bookings are now on the web and not through travel agents. Hence heavy emphasis would be laid to promoting the property on the web as well," he added.