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| Sunday, 14 December 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Holiday amidst a : 'Tea Garden' by BEVERLEY JANSZ
Surrounded by mountain peaks over 3000 feet in height with a cool climate less known to any other part of the hill country 'Tea Garden Hotel' is a large colonial style bungalow on a tea estate situated by the Colombo-Nuwara Eliya Road in Watawala, a 15-minute drive from Hatton and 10 minutes form Ginigathhena. Sitting amidst 50 acres of lush tea plantation with a panoramic view, the main bungalow consists of three large bedrooms well appointed to meet the needs of a modern traveller. Each room has its own fire place to keep one warm and cosy at any given chilly night apart from the modern amenities that are on offer. The spacious living area with teak flooring and old fashioned English fire place is built facing the mountain range on which the passing train can be viewed small as a 'dingy toy'. Apart from the main bungalow the Tea Garden Hotel also has a 'Forest Bungalow' situated in the same estate on top of the adjoining hills surrounded by giant pine trees. Consisting of three bedrooms, this bungalow gives one the feeling of living in a forest atmosphere. Apart from the two bungalows, there is a two-roomed cottage with all amenities together with a three roomed annexe which is also ideal for holiday makers. There are 10 rooms built in Cabana style along the mountain trail which gives a view of the passing up-country 'Udara Menike' and 'Podi Menike' trains. Staying-in at 'Tea Garden Hotel' is not much of a problem if one wants to have a quiet holiday within serene surroundings but if you want to go places there are many day trips one can choose from. The many waterfalls, the town of Nuwara Eliya, Piduruthalagala, Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Worlds End, Adams Peak, Castlereigh Reservoir are all within an hours reach, and for good food, it is all available at the 'Tea Garden Hotel' ranging from Eastern to Western, and Sri Lankan cuisine at its best. So if one is looking for that seasonal break away form the hustle and bustle of the normal seasonal holiday 'Tea Garden' at Watawala is the place. ########### Golden meals at 'Golden Mile'
The Golden Mile celebrated its third anniversary last week. Since its opening, the hotel has become so successful that competitors have laid traps to lure guests to their restaurants instead. You have to persevere to find your way to The Golden Mile. The right fork of the Y-junction in Galle Road at Mount Lavinia and turning right into College Avenue, and you drive all the way to the end of it. According to the proprietor, Vasantha Jayasuriya, the Golden Mile is a fascinating log station on the beach. This is a place that every discerning visitor, resident and acknowledgeable local would love to visit. "Not only is the setting on the beach fantastic, the menu beats anything similar in Colombo, at less cost too," says Jayasuriya. Naturally, such enthusiasm for a place requires explanation. The hard working genius behind The Golden Mile is Vasantha Jayasuriya, Chairman/Managing Director, Jaysons Group of Companies who also owns Hotel Glendower, Nuwara Eliya and Villa Riviera, Beruwala. Jayasuriya's taste and style do not reflect trends, he knows instinctively what guests want beyond five-star formality when dining out. At Golden Mile he has proved it. The setting is superb, either sitting outside on the sand or upstairs in the main cabin, to dine off tables made from log slabs. The menu has items which are rare. What about Paella Valencia, or Laivnia's Delight which is breaded and deep fried mussels in a mustard sauce, served on a bed of stewed hill country vegetables, fresh mushrooms and potatoes. There is a curried mussel soup too when in season, also according to season, you could have rock oysters with sauted spinach, Singaporean Chilli Crab, or Sea Crab, fresh from the Indian Ocean. To go with champagne, guests are offered a platter of Seafood Tempura, Sirloin Vienna Style - Australian steak from the grill, with pepper sauce, baked potato and spinach. Many more mouth watering dishes make up the menu at The Golden Mile, which is worth a visit. (BJ) |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
The beach at Mount Lavinia was once known as the Golden Mile. The
opening of a restaurant of that name brought this neglected area back to
prominence.
