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| Sunday, 4 May 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Topaz - Kandy's jewel among hotels by Beverley Jansz Kandy is a 'must see' destination on any tourist itinerary, and the competition among the town's hoteliers for a slice of that market is astonishingly tough. The result, to spruce up their hotels to meet the demands of both foreign and Lankan tourists. Come up with some innovative features which once they have wooed these tourists, would be a sufficient inducement for them to return to their hotels as 'repeat guests'. Following this golden rule of thinking, is the management of the Hotel Topaz.
Located in the salubrious climes of Anniwatte is Hotel Topaz, offering visitors a sweeping view of its peaceful surroundings of lush greenery, hills and the city of Kandy, from all points of the hotel. Director/General Manager, Hotel Topaz, Anura Basnayake spoke of the numerous things they were doing to attract not only foreign tourists but also Lankan families who should, he believes, be familiar with, appreciate and enjoy some of the magnificent features Sri Lanka has been blessed with. Basnayake said that 'No and can't are two words that do not exist at Topaz. Taking me on a journey down memory lane, way back to 1976 - this 75-roomed hotel was built on a 12-acre block of land. at that time the hotel was constructed with 50 rooms, and had 25 added as the years sped by. 'Now times have changed, things are different and more demanding, so we have embarked on a refurbishing program of Topaz, Basnayake said. The roof top restaurant has undergone a complete facelift, and the entire lobby of the hotel has taken on a new look, including the ceiling. Descending from the centre of the ceiling is a huge rack, which displays the various brands of bottles of liquor the restaurant offers for sale and four other racks, all suspended from the ceiling and exhibiting the kinds of glasses used for the variety of wines, sherries and liquors on offer. The once familiar carpeted cement floor of the lobby has been replaced with granite and the lobby bar which earlier was not visible, has been shifted from a corner to the entrance. Open space has been carefully designed so as to enable guests who check in at the lobby to notice and marvel at the beautiful and breathtaking scenery enveloping Hotel Topaz. The main restaurant has undergone a complete change and has a granite floor, low and large glass windows and a display area of the costumes of Kandyan dancers. "We are categorised as a round trip hotel, and blessed with a continuous stream of tourists", Basnayake said. The asset that Basnayake has is the hotel's staff, 60 per cent have been working at the hotel for over 10 years and have a great attachment to this hotel. "I do not have to tell them what to do, when I look at them, they know what I mean" he said figuratively speaking. Basnayake counts over 20 years in the hotel industry, having started as a receptionist with Keells Hotels at Habarana Village way back in 1980. He is a Ceylon Hotel School graduate with wide experience. A special feature at Hotel Topaz is that it offers its guests three buffets per day at dinner time - the BBQ buffet under candle light at the 'Thornhill Terrace', an exclusive and traditional Sri Lankan buffet at the 'Roof Top' and an international buffet at the main restaurant, Executive Chef Trevor Baines said. "As an Executive Chef I do not confine myself only to the kitchen, but have a close repertoire with guests to obtain their views on the cuisine offered and cater to their individual needs", Baines said. Executive Chef, Trevor Baines counts over 20 years experience in the hospitality industry, with three years experience in working on board luxury cuisine lines based in Miami, the USA and six years experience in the Gulf. He specialises in Western and Eastern cuisine. The hotel's target market comprises mostly residents of Kandy and others who wish to have their private functions or family re-union at Hotel Topaz. The hotel's swimming pool is extremely popular because of the privacy it affords. Three international schools in Kandy conduct swimming classes for their kids here. The hotel provides a shuttle bus service from the hotel to the city every hour, and a fleet of vehicles where the hotel provides guests transfers from the airport to the hotel and to other tourist areas. Other facilities this hotel boasts of are E-mail, Internet and direct telephone lines connected to guest rooms, on request, indoor games, Floodlit, Tennis, Kiddies Park, Cozy TV lounge, Jogging track, 24-hour room service, Shopping Arcade with a wide selection of jewellery, Batik and Handicrafts, Same day laundry service, and doctor on call. Hotel Topaz and Hotel Tourmaline, also situated in Kandy, are owned and managed by McLarens Group of Companies. ######### The dawn of a new era at Crescat : Oberoi becomes 'The Colombo Plaza' by Beverley Jansz Asian Hotels Corporation Ltd. (AHC) has taken over the management of its prized hotel Lanka Oberoi from Oberoi Hotels. The re-launching of the hotel as 'The Colombo Plaza'took place at a glittering cocktail attended by a host of VIPs, at Crescat Boulveward, to signal a new chapter in Sri Lanka's hotel industry. This signified the end of one era and the beginning of another. The Hotel's new name, 'The Colombo Plaza', is in line with AHCs vision to bring to Colombo the kind of grandeur and elegance synonymous with Plaza Hotels. An enthusiastic and exciting response has come from internationally renowned hoteliers to our invitation to join us as we embark on an ambitious programme to revitalize what is easily the most promising five star hotel property in the city of Colombo a spokesman for AHC said. No sooner our on-going negotiations with our short-listed hoteliers is finalized, we will announce who we have chosen to chart our future course with a course that will see our hotel reborn, with elegant interiors, innovative cuisine, excellent service and standards expected of a world class hotel. Changes will not be restricted to just the hotel itself. AHC is formally launching 'Crescat City' - Colombo's city within a city. AHC's vision is to position Crescat City as Colombo's finest destination, whether it is to 'live, work, dine, shop, play or relax'. A mini city with well laid out facilities and seamless access to products and service through out the property. The newest addition to Crescat City will be the Lifestyle Centre, which is currently under construction and due to be completed by the end of the year. It will feature a luxurious state-of-the-art spa and fitness centre operated by one of the world's most celebrated operators. The complex will also include a beautiful swimming pool on the roof deck and a tennis court set in landscaped gardens.The Boulevard at Crescat City will be repositioned as the shopping mall of choice for those seeking convenience and quality. More restaurants will be added to complement the successful Food Court and Delifrance outlet and retail mix of shops fine tuned. Our recently opened Crescat Market, located on the lower level, features fresh sea food, pharmacy, fresh flowers, hardware, a Korean/Japanese food store, a laundry and numerous other daily-needs shops. Car parking facilities, already the largest in town will be improved and expanded further. ######### Vesak package from Ceylon Continental Ceylon Continental Hotel is offering Sri Lankans and expatriates an attractive Vesak holiday package for the Vesak holiday week, from May 10-18. The package includes special discounted rates on rooms, a 50 per cent discount at the Sauna, Jacuzzi and Spa, 25 per cent discount on Aromatherapy at the hotel's Health Club, 20 per cent on laundry and dry cleaning, 15 per cent on all beverages at the 'Heist Bar', 10 per cent discount on all food items and 'High Tea' on complimentary basis at the Coffee Shop - 'Cafe Emerald.' The restaurant package will include a 15 per cent discount on international buffet lunches and beverages at the Cafe Emerald, with live entertainment, and complimentary usage of the hotel's swimming pool 'We are offering this attractive package during Vesak, to give Sri Lankans and expatriates an opportunity to savour the hospitality at the 'warmest heart in town', Ceylon Continental Food and Beverage Manager, Nalaka Colambage said. Sandwich Promo -Engulf at the Ceylon Continental's La Patisserie de Paris, Pastry Shop until May 10, for a selection of sandwiches which covers the globe, such as 'Oriental Chicken Sandwich,' which is served with Arabic pocket bread, the 'Pattie Melt' the 'Umber Jack' and the delicious 'Shrimp Salad Sandwich.' Savour the mouth-watering flavours of sandwiches at the 'Sandwich Promotion at the Ceylon Continental Hotel which will go on until May 10. Mother's Day- elaborate arrangements have been made by the Ceylon Continental to celebrate the most treasured 'Mothers' Day' on May 10. Treat your mother at the Cafe Emerald to a special dinner on May 10, where one out of four guests will be offered a free dinner, just to treat not only mothers, but the entire family who will accompany their mothers on this very special day, Colambage says. The highlight of Mother's Day celebrations will be a special fashion show specially designed, and dedicated to all mothers, at the hotel's 'Heist Bar' on May 10. |
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