|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 1 February 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Ramboda Falls Hotel The waterfall paradise by BEVERLEY JANSZ
Some of the most spectacular sights in the hill country of Sri Lanka are provided by the waterfalls, with so many of them spaced within a relatively small geographical area. Although there aren't gigantic falls like Niagara those in Sri Lanka suit the extent of the country. For what they may lack in size and volume are compensated for by numbers and sheer variety of their own particular beauty. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and heights, with the water sometimes floating down leisurely, sometimes roaring angrily down hundreds of feet, inspiring wonder in the beholder. Among the waterfalls of Sri Lanka, the Ramboda Falls is well known for its enchanting beauty, though many of us who pass the Ramboda bridge mistakenly look up and are disappointed to see only a small trickle of it, and perhaps, even stop there to have a cool dip in the stream, but bypass the major part of the waterfall which is hidden beneath the boulders of the stream lower down. But there is one place to give you a broader view of this wonderful work of nature - the Ramboda Falls Hotel. Located in the idyllic setting of the central hills amidst cool climes at an altitude of 3200 ft. the Ramboda Falls Hotel is ideal for those who seek a carefree holiday away from the din and dust of the metropolis. True to its name, the hotel offers a full view of the Ramboda Falls, and in addition two more waterfalls, namely Divituru Oya Falls and Poonawa Falls which are also major waterfalls. They can be seen from close up. The ten acre wooded parkland of the hotel is bounded by Divuturu Oya and Ramboda Oya. Ramboda Falls Hotel is 162 kilometres along the Colombo-Nuwara Eliya highway. Beyond Kandy, the road meanders through verdant tea country lush greenery, more waterfalls and hills and the wayfarer is greeted near the front of the hotel by a huge rock which lies on concrete supports squeezing the road to its narrowest width. The hotel is perched on a meticulously planned precipice under the shade of tall trees facing the Ramboda Falls. As you enter the reception foyer, to your left is the main, upper flow restaurant facing two waterfalls gushing froth and foam, namely Ramboda, at arms length and Poonawa at a distance. The stairway downward takes you to the rooms in the new wing. Ramboda Falls Hotel which opened its doors on December 20, 1997 as a restaurant became so popular among tourists travelling to Ramboda and Nuwara Eliya, that within six months, five rooms were built to cope with the demand from tourists.
Manager, Ramboda Falls Hotel, versatile hotelier, Chaminda Amarasinghe, a Hotel School product, said that many of the major tour operators have chosen the place for luncheon for larger groups on their way to Nuwara Eliya. Daily lunch buffets, with a widespread of delicious Western, Eastern and Sri Lankan cuisine are offered to hotel guests and others who patronise Ramboda Falls Hotel as a popular stop-over. The hotel is a haven for honeymooners due to its romantic location. There are natural pools and streams around the hotel's garden. Above all, it is very economical for the average traveller, Amarasinghe said. Six more super deluxe rooms are built at present to cope up with the demand from tourists. Ramboda Falls Hotel is owned and managed by Ramboda Falls (Pvt) Ltd.
Its directors are Sasanka Sigera and Ananda Karunaratne who are
schoolmates who married their talents. 'David Lean' restaurant at Kitulgala Rest House Kitulgala Rest House, owned and managed by the Ceylon Hotels Corporation has honoured David Lean, Producer/Director of the famous film,'The Bridge on the River Kwai' by opening a modern restaurant in his name, at the rest house where the 7-Academy award winner was filmed in the vicinity of the rest house, years ago. The filming of this world renowned film brought in fame not only to the Kitulgala Rest House, but also to Sri Lanka's tourism industry, Chairman, Ceylon Hotels Corporation Bodhisiri Ranasinghe said. The 'David Lean' modern restaurant, elegantly furnished could accommodate over 100 guests and provides a panoramic view of the Kelani river which flows adjacent to the rest house. Within the short period of its opening, 'David Lean' restaurant has become a popular stop over for tourists travelling between Colombo and Nuwara Eliya said Saman Alwis, Manager, Kitulgala Rest House. The opening of the restaurant in the name of David Lean, was the brain child of CHC Chairman, Bodhisiri Ranasinghe, Senior Manager, Marketing/Travel, Ceylon Hotels Corporation, Ranjith Balasuriya said. Under the guidance of Chairman, Ranasinghe and Ranjith Balasuriya, Saman Alwis is all out to make Kitulgala Rest House the most popular stop-over to both foreign and Sri Lankans travelling between Colombo and Nuwara Eliya on the Colombo/Hatton highway. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
The hotel now has 16 rooms which includes two family suites, all
equipped with modern facilities including hot/cool shower, piped music TV
telephone and room service. Every room has a balcony facing the waterfalls
and the wide valley that extends upto Kotmale reservoir. There are two
more spacious, open-sided restaurants and a well-stocked bar adjoining the
ground floor. Western, Chinese, Eastern and International delicious and
spicy Sri Lanka cuisine created by experienced chef Nishantha Samaranayake
and his brigade of expert cooks are offered to guests with heart-warming
hospitality. For the elderly there are summer huts in the garden for
relaxation, while enjoying the scenic beauty of the surroundings as the
kids play on see-saws and swings.
