Visit Lanka

Spice Festival

admin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 05:20:43 +0000

on 06 November 2011 Duration: 8 days and 00:00 hours.
The culinary delights of the World Spice Festival draw on a real mixture of Sri Lankan spices and cooking methods as well as the talents of visiting chefs and the signature spices from their home countries. This year’s World Spice Food Festival promises all the excitement and culinary delights that have endeared by visitors in the past. Participating hotels and restaurants will conduct the food festival for one week in their restaurants.

Kandy Street Parade (Esala Perahera)

admin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 05:20:16 +0000

on 31 July 2011 Duration: All-day event!
Sri Lanka’s most prominent festival is the magnificent Kandy Esala Perahera, held in the hill capital of Kandy over 10 days in late July to early August and climaxing on Esala Poya. The perahera.s origins date back to the third century BC, but the modern event originated in the mid-18th century when the Kandyan king decreed that once a year the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, kept at the Dalada Maligawa, or .Temple of the Tooth., should be displayed in a procession for the people to venerate.

Bentota

admin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 03:49:16 +0000

62km south of Colombo – is Sri Lanka’s water-sports centre. The sea here is calm and it is an excellent diving location. The Bentota Resort Complex is a romantic rendezvous of river and sea with several hotels, the railway station, post office, shopping arcade, cafeterias. An open air theatre overlooked by clusters of palms showcases local folk and mask dancing. A half hour’s drive from Bentota would take you to Ambalangoda, home of devil dancing and mask making.

Chaaya Village, Habarana

roshni — Mon, 09 May 2011 08:35:53 +0000

Situated 176km from the commercial capital of Colombo, in the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, Chaaya Village, Habarana is spread over 27 acres of Ebony, Mahogany and Satinwood trees. Guests are housed in 108 cottages consisting of 94 superior rooms, 12 deluxe rooms and 2 suites inspired by the hotel’s rural surroundings and native decor. While the hotel’s menu consists of both western and eastern cuisine, its guests are invited to enjoy their meals by the pool, the bordering lake or even in a romantic tree hut. The Ritigala Pauwwa Bar offers cocktails with which to wind down a long day while Pathaliya Coffee Shop’s snacks ensure guests are satisfied throughout the day. The range of recreational activities is unlimited at the Village which is equipped with its own cricket pitch, tennis court, gymnasium and tri-level swimming pool. While elephant rides, kayaking and elephant safaris are on offer, the hotel’s more adventurous visitors are encouraged to join the village fisherman as they wade through the waters to cast their nets in the nearby lakes or take a bullock-cart ride to a banana plantation through the neighboring villages. End a long day of exploring with a massage and pedicure at the hotel’s Azmaara Spa.

Mahaweli Reach Hotel

roshni — Mon, 09 May 2011 08:34:50 +0000

Situated 129 km of breathtaking mountain scenery away from Colombo on the banks of the Mahaweli river, the Mahaweli Reach Hotel was the first hotel in Kandy to obtain a five star rating. The hotel consists of 112 tastefully decorated rooms and 4 extravagant suites, all with stunning views of the river and premise’s beautifully landscaped gardens. With an array of local and international cuisine on offer at the hotel’s highly commended restaurant, every guests is guaranteed meals to suit his individual palate. Breakfast can also be enjoyed on the banks of the Mahaweli on request.

Given its convenient location minutes away from Kandy town, the Mahaweli Reach provides easy access to the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Sacred Temple of the Tooth, Lankatilake and the Udawattekele Royal Sanctuary. The hotel itself is equipped with a spacious swimming pool and games room while the on- site Ayurvedic Centre specializes in Swedha Karma, an ancient medical therapy involving a full body herbal massage.

Thilanka Hotel – Kandy

roshni — Mon, 09 May 2011 08:33:16 +0000

Surrounded by the majestic Hunnasgiriya mountains and the lush Udawattakelle nature reserve, the Thilanka Hotel offers stunning views of what was once the country’s impenetrable capital. Elements of Kandyan tradition are seen in the hotel’s red, yellow and orange hues, temple motifs and local arts and crafts while bowls of fresh lotus flowers and traditional brass oil lamps make up its regal interior. Thilanka’s 87 rooms and suites are adorned in a similar manner. Its restaurant boast of cuisine fit for royal palettes and its bar offers a variety of drinks with which to relax after a long day of exploring. Guests at the Thilanka Hotel are also encouraged to visit the nearby Udewattakelle for an unforgettable bird watching experience. Cycling and fishing excursions can also be organized on request. Take a day off from sightseeing and relax by the hotel’s tear-drop swimming pool or at the hotel’s yoga retreat. Alternatively enroll in the hotel’s Ayurvedic training courses for an unforgettable and invigorating experience.

Hotel Suisse

roshni — Mon, 09 May 2011 08:31:00 +0000

Located 116 km from Colombo and 112 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport, the Suisse Hotel nestles in the heart of the historical hill capital of Kandy. Built on 3 landscaped, lush acres of land, this colonial hotel was the 17^th century residence of the chief minister of the Royal Granary. Its 93 air-conditioned rooms, offer stunning views of the majestic Temple of the Tooth and the Kandy Lake. The large lounge bar and restaurant offer guests an extensive wine list and Eastern and Western food. The hotel’s previous guests include Stephen Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy. Given its convenient location, guests at Hotel Suisse are able to explore the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, the archaeological museum, the Kandyan Arts and Crafts Association and the local market place at ease. The railway station is also located only a few minutes away providing easy access to nearby areas of interests. Guests are also encouraged to visit the picturesque Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Hotel Suisse is equipped with a swimming pool, billiards and snooker table, Ayurveda Centre and sauna for those wishing to relax within its premises.

Galway Miridiya Lodge

roshni — Mon, 09 May 2011 08:29:37 +0000

Overlooking the large manmade lake, Nuwara Wewa, the Galway Miridiya Lodge is tastefully constructed amidst ancient monuments. Equipped with 39 air-conditioned rooms equipped with televisions and safety deposit lockers, the hotel is the ideal location to relax after a long day of sightseeing. The main, poolside restaurant offers not only Eastern, Western and local cuisine but also stunning views of the nearby lake. Theme nights and BBQ nights take place regularly. Guests are also invited to sample items on the hotel’s extensive wine and cocktail list. A variety of recreational activities are on offer at the Lodge ranging from excursions to nearby historical sites, bird watching, walks along the bund of the picturesque lake and safari’s to the nearby Wilpattu National Park. The hotel is also equipped with swimming, volleyball and cricket facilities while meditation courses can be organized on request.

Deer Park Hotel

roshni — Mon, 09 May 2011 08:26:45 +0000

235 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport, the rustic splendour of the Deer Park Hotel hides in the lush, tropical jungles bordering the Minneriya- Giritale National Park, once the ancient hunting grounds of Sri Lankan royalty. Composed of just forty cottages with open air bathrooms and stunning views of the Giritale reservoir, the hotel is able to offer each of its guests an intimate, personalized experience. The hotel’s numerous restaurants afford guests a novel dining experience every night while international and local cuisine can also be enjoyed at the jungle BBQ which on occasion has been honoured with visits from the Veddah’s, the indigenous people of the land. Meals can also be arranged at exotic destinations reached on elephant back while a night-cap can be enjoyed at the Sandpiper Bar.

Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the hotel’s strategic location in order to witness as many as three hundred elephants gathering at the nearby Minnneriya lake. The ruins of the ancient Polonnaruwa kingdom are also only a stone’s throw away. Avid birdwatchers need only walk around the hotel’s perimeter to witness some 160 species, some of which are endemic. Conclude your day with a rejuvenating massage at the Angsana Spa.

Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana

roshni — Mon, 09 May 2011 08:23:42 +0000

Located 5 hours from Colombo, Cinnamon Lodge truly is an oasis at the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. Its 132 rooms and suites afford the ideal balance between traditional and modern living. Housed in luxurious chalets bordering a man- made lake, the hotel’s rooms and layout are inspired by the ancient Ritigala Monastery. Each of the Lodge’s six suites is equipped with its own Jacuzzi, lounge and dining area with a private butler service around the clock. A gastronomic experience awaits guests at this hotel with its choice of three restaurants specializing in international and Sri Lankan cuisine while a collection of cigars and Cognac are on offer at the Ebony Lounge. Guests will never find themselves at a loose end at this hotel with six UNESCO declared world heritage sites within easy reach of the Lodge. While elephant safaris, catamaran rides and bullock cart rides are arranged on request, guests are encouraged to take a tour of the butterfly gardens with the resident naturalist. The birdwatcher’s platform allows avid ornithologists to study over 138 species of birds. Wind down a long day with a massage at the Azmaara Spa or a book and handmade chocolates at the hotel’s library.