Citrus Leisure to build a 4-star resort in Kalpitiya
Citrus Leisure PLC, formerly Hotel Reefcomber PLC, has marked its
name change with an announcement to build a four star resort in
Kalpitiya following the acquisition of a 78 acre land,
"Santhoduwa-Kalpitiya". The total investment in the land amounted to Rs.
122.18 million. The acquisition is the company's second, following a
change in management earlier this year.
The proposed resort will comprise 150 rooms and 28 water front
villas. The 28 water front villas will be built facing a 50 meter-wide
waterway which cuts through the land and connects at the end to the sea.
These exclusive water villas will have individual gondolas providing
the occupants access to the sea. In a unique proposition, the villas
will be made available to local and foreign high net worth individuals
on the basis of a 99-year lease. Citrus Leisure will operate the villas
as part of the hotel with the concurrence of their owners, managing and
marketing them accordingly.
The "Santhoduwa-Kalpitiya" site is ideally placed in close proximity
to the whale- and dolphin-watching sites in the seas off Kalpitiya and
the magnificent Wilpattu national park, home to the elephant and the
elusive Ceylon leopard. The company believes the proposed resort will
cater to the growing demand for suitable star class accommodation along
the North West coast of Sri Lanka.
Chairman of Citrus Leisure PLC, tourism-veteran Prema Cooray said,
"Our decision to enter Kalpitiya is a strategic one that considers the
area's vast untapped potential to become a tourist hotspot. Kalpitiya is
one of the zones being targeted in the government's new vision for
tourism and Citrus Leisure PLC is excited to be a flagbearer in the
emergence of Destination Kalpitiya."
Renowned architect Murad Ismail has come on board to design the
resort, bringing with him his extensive experience in designing
world-class properties, including the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel in
the Maldives.
The purchase of the "Santhoduwa-Kalpitiya" land is the company's
second major acquisition following its purchase of a 7.2 acre beach
property in Waskaduwa, where construction will begin in early 2011 on a
150 roomed 4-star property.
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