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| Sunday, 5 October 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Palm Village Hotel : The garden resort by the sea by BEVERLEY JANSZ Built amidst gently swaying palm trees in a scenic location at Uswatakeiyawa, Wattala, is the Palm Village Hotel. It has been a popular family beach resort since it opened its doors in 1983.
This beautiful beach resort provides ample shade for undisturbed sun-bathing or a quiet snooze. Standing on a four-acre spacious land beautifully landscaped at Uswatakeiyawa, Palm Village Hotel began operations in 1983 as a 50-room tourist resort, offering guests all modern facilities of a star class hotel. Located just 24 km south of Bandaranaike International Airport and only a 30-minute drive from the city of Colombo, Palm Village Hotel is an ideal base for the business traveller, airline crews as well as for passengers who need a tranquil stopover in between long flights. Guest rooms are equipped with all modern facilities including TV, hot/cold water, mini-bar, telephone, piped music and room service. Since its inception, Palm Village has been popular for residential seminars, picnics, family outings, weddings and banquet functions for which the hotel offers all modern facilities. Every Sunday, Palm Village takes a carnival atmosphere. Its Sunday lunch buffet offers a wide selection of Western, Eastern, Chinese and Sri Lanka cuisine prepared by Executive Chef K. P. Gurusinghe and his kitchen brigade. Chef Gurusinghe counts over 20 years experience having worked in many star class hotels in Sri Lanka and overseas. The hotel is also popular for repeater clients, both Sri Lankans and foreign tourists. The hotel has three conference halls which could accommodate around 100 guests. Since its inception, Palm Village Hotel has been a popular draw for residential seminars, workshops, weddings and honeymoons due to its romantic setting. An experienced hotelier, Maurice Liyanage has been appointed the new General Manager of Palm Village Hotel. Liyanage counts over 20 years experience in the hospitality industry having worked in star hotels here and abroad. Liyanage believes in team work. 'Our strength is our staff', he says. Since Liyanage assumed duties as the new GM of Palm Village Hotel, there has been a substantial improvement both in service and food. 'My main objective is to upgrade Palm Village beach resort which has been a very popular family resort for over 20 years. Palm Village Hotel is owned and managed by Palm Village Hotels Ltd. Its directors are Nimal Cooke (Chairman), Shirantha Herath (Director), Ron Peterson (Director), Chris Thomson (Director), Gamini Fonseka (Director) and Susith Jayawickrema (Director). ################ Beach volleyball at Confifi Beruwala by Shirajiv Sirimane it was 'beach volleyball' hitting tropical Beruwala like a sandstorm . It was two eventful days of recreation to go with fun and frolic as Confifi's inaugural International Men and Women's Beach Volleyball tournament gripped Beruwala coast in a carnival atmosphere. both local and foreign tourists made it a weekend of sun, sea and sand to fire their imagination with a taste of the sport called beach volleyball for its infectious Brazilian origin where it is a fad. The event was organised by Confifi Group Hotels and Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board which is cashing in on everything that would lend to the tourist boom. Also at hand were SriLankan Airlines, Pepsi, Dialog GSM, Associated Newspapers Ceylon Limited (ANCL) and Nowgem Jewellers in making it a success. ############### SriLankan media getaway by Karel Roberts Ratnaweera The invitation said: The Court of King Kashyapa invites...to grace the annual gathering of scribes at the Royal capital Sigiriya during the last weekend of the month of Nikini 2003. That was the innovative touch that SriLankan Airlines (SLA) added to its Media Getaway Weekend. 'Royal' coaches carried the contingent to Ambepussa rest house for hot tea after a 'boxed' breakfast on board. Onto Sigiriya Village Hotel for lunch. There is a famous Broadway showsong, 'Some Enchanted Evening;' the first enchanted evening was poolside entertainment - a 'paduru' party - where we sat on mats under the Sigiriya stars, sipping our sundowners while listening to the pleasing harmonising of an Oriental orchestra. After a hearty breakfast the next morning to fortify us for the climb the Royal fortress of the 'God King',famously titled in Lester James Peiris' unforgettable film of the seventies, we set off. Romance stirred in hearts and minds every step of the way-Sigiriya is a romantic Royal citadel and it only takes a few touches and a little imagination for the susceptible to feel it all... Down for lunch and an afternoon elephant safari to Minneriya where Kashyapa's grandfather King Mahasena built his famous tank. The second enchanted evening began with cocktails and then SLA laid on a rapidfire series of competitions, raffle draws and treasure hunts. Even a good old musical chairs competition was held, much to the delight of the participants. And of course, there was dancing. It ended all too soon. Expected time of departure for Colombo after lunch with a 'return' tea at Ambepussa Rest house. SriLankan Airlines had arranged that all journalists who needed transport to their homes were dropped at their doorsteps in mini luxury coaches. The Sigiriya Village Hotel was the ideal location for such a weekend, was the consensus of all the journalists. Labyrinthine concrete pathways are studded with luxury cottages nestling among foliage and flowers. Ancient trees such as the Banyan adorn the tailored lawns just as they would have in the days of King Kashyapa, our Royal 'host' for the getaway. ############### Fondue and Stone Grill at Taj Samudra The team of chefs at Taj Samudra have put together a scrumptious variety,which will appeal to the most discerning palate. The Taj Samudra will lay out a spread from the traditional Cheese Fondue to the more unusual sweet and irrestible Chocolate Fondue. The joy of fondue is the participation in the cooking and eating, which happen simultaneously. A chilled glass of wine from the hotels well-stocked cellar will truly help enhance your dining experience. The word Fondue comes from the French word 'fondre' which interpreted means to 'melt'. Folklore speaks of the long cold winter months when food was scarce and cheese, the all time favourite turned old and hard. Hungry villagers would put it into a pot of wine to soften and melt it, and this is how Fondue originated. If you wish to experience the true taste of France visit The Steak & Grill House at Taj Samudra from September 26 onwards. The Steak & Grill House has also introduced Stone Cooking where prime cuts of meat from their extensive menu grilled to perfection will be served on a hot Granite platter which ensures that your favourite steam remains warm throughout your meal. This will also be a truly unique dining experience and is guaranteed to have you raving about it for time to come. Reserve your table at The Steak & Grill House where quality is Taj Samudra's signature. |
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