Kitulgala Rest House:

The 'site of the Bridge on the River Kwai'

by Beverley Jansz

Kitulgala Rest House is popularly known as the site of the 'Bridge on the River Kwai'. The film was shot in the scenic surroundings of the rest house. The producers and other cast of this world renowned film, patronised Kitulgala Rest House for their stay during shooting of the world acclaimed film in Sri Lanka in 1956.

Scenically located on the banks of the Kalaniya River, the second largest river in Sri Lanka, the Kitulgala Rest House is the perfect holiday retreat. Probably the most popular location for white water rafting and boating in Sri Lanka, Kitulgala is honeymooners' paradise, This rest house was a location for David Lean's award-winning movie, "Bridge on the River Kwai. Kitulgala Rest House offers four A/C rooms with TV, mini bar, 15 non A/C guest rooms of which 11 have TV and mini bar, with other star class facilities.

Other facilities include, a restaurant with beautiful interior decor which could accommodate over 300 guests, a Lounge Bar, Pool table, room/laundry services, white water rafting/boating, natural rock pool and waterfall trekking tours, bird watching, camping, Mountain bikes and vehicles on hire.

White water rafting, canoeing and river bathing in the Kelani River adjacent to the rest house are very popular amongst tourists, expatriates and Sri Lankans at the Kitulgala Rest House. Over 50 species of birds have been identified in the vicinity and mountains bordering the rest house and therefore it has become a favourite bird watching spot for tourists.

Special discounted offers from Kitulgala Rest House

At present, Kitulgala Rest House is offering special discounted rates as follows: Guests who stay at Kitulgala Rest House for one night are being offered a 10 per cent discount on the basis booked, while guests who stay for two nights and more being offered a 15 per cent discount on the basis booked, Director, Sales and Marketing, Ceylon Hotels Corporation, Anushka Lovell said.

This offer is being made to attract more visitors, especially Sri Lankan families to spend a memorable holiday at Kitulgala Rest House, one of the flagship properties owned and managed by the Ceylon Hotels Corporation, Anushka said.

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