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| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Goldi 30 years and still expanding Goldi Sands Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in the famous Ethukala beach strip in Negombo has invested Rs 35mln within the last four years to refurbish and upgrade the hotel.
Next year it will invest a further Rs 125 mln in a separate 40 room luxury upmarket extension to its existing facilities. The hotel celebrates 30 years of its existencence with an elaborate beach party on October 30. It began as a modest 35 room structure in 1974 by Ms Naomi Fernando and its name is derived from the Goldi products made famous by her. "Today the hotel has 75 centrally airconditioned rooms with TVs and piped in music and other fittings and accessories to cater to the demands of tourists visiting a beach resort in Sri Lanka," said Chairman Eric Suriyasena who has been associated with the hotel as a Director since its inception. The added attraction is its facilities to hold conferences and seminars whether it be local or international. We also have reception and banquet halls to cater for weddings with a trained staff in attendance," he added. The hotel has facilities to accomodate between 50-200 people for seminars and conferences. The hall is equipped with the latest multi media facilities and is air conditioned. The popularity of teh hotel can be guaged by the fact that a church organisation that held a regional seminar recently has booked the entire hotel for the month of September 2005 to hold its international conference, he said. "We always ensure that our guests are comfortable and happy which is one reason for us to enjoy a repeat clientele of 30 percent on average every year" said Suriyasena. According to industry standards it is a high rate. The Managing Director Suresh Weerasuriya said that the hotel is fully booked up until March 2005 for the Winter season. On an average year around we enjoy a 70 percent occupancy rate. "Although we do not have a lot of stars after our name I can safely say that our catering whether it is for a tourist, the local weekend or wedding guest can be compared with what is offered by a five star organisation," he said. The Executive Directorate which has run the hotel for the last 30 years have not changed much since the controlling shares are held by a small group. In fact Eric Suriyasena is only the fourth person to be the chairman of the organisation after Ms Naomi Fernando, Cyril Fonseka, and Eardly Fernando. He took over the reins in 1999. A fair number of the existing staff have served the hotel for more than two decades which includes the present General Manager E. Croos who joined the hotel 25 years ago as an Accounts clerk. He is considered as one of the best marketing men in the trade, where a beach resort hotel like ours is concerned, " said Chairman Suriyasena. ****************** Website for Zeema Zeema the first and only Russian Restaurant and Lounge Club in Sri Lanka is among the first to take entertainment in Colombo to cyberspace. This pioneering Russian Restaurant is launching its official website and with it is opening a whole new window into Russia with the click of a button. The website features unique options such as online reservations, entertainment line-up, special offers, dance acts, special cocktails/dishes of the day, membership, special events and promotions. Zeema, which is endeavouring to promote the Russian way of life, is also launching an exclusive Privilege Card membership for selected clientele. The host of benefits including attractive discounts will be offered on food & beverages. Zeema's menu contains virtually all the dishes that are the pride of Russian cuisine made with the freshest possible ingredients. Wonderful salads, various bliny (pancakes), pelmeni (ravioli), golubtsi (rissoles wrapped in cabbage leaves), scchi (cabbage soup) are few of the delicacies the restaurant is famous for. |
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