Love tryst by the sea : From Lovina to 'Lavinia'

There are many buildings that are built in memory of love or are associated with romance in some way. Some of these are tragic love stories that stand the test of time. The story of Lovina (later known as Lady Lavinia) is one such love story that will and can never be forgotten. Yet her memories and the romantic aura linger on at the world famous 210-year-old Mount Lavinia Hotel, located 12 km away from Colombo.

In 1806, Sir Thomas Maitland, the Governor to Sri Lanka was not happy with the accommodation provided to him in Colombo. Historical records state that Maitland requested the British administration for better accommodation. He went scouting for a where he could build a holiday home. He went to Galkissa (the then and present-day Sinhala place name for Mount Lavinia) and found a rocky promontory almost on the ocean, and he built a house which was originally a single floor building.

Mansion

The Mount Lavinia Hotel itself records what happened next at the mansion: "It was here that he first set eyes on a beautiful local dancer, Lovina Aponsuwa, the half Portuguese and half Sinhalese lead dancer of her father's dancing troupe. As she danced before him, enticing him with her long flowing jet black tresses and fixing his attention with her large, expressive, hazel brown eyes, King Tom (as Sir Thomas was called by some) was mesmerized. He fell instantly in love with Lovina, for nowhere had he seen such perfection, such beauty, and such grace.

Lovina and her dance troupe became regular performers at the Governor's house. Flattered by the attentions of this high-ranking official, Lovina, the lowly dancer was further elated when, as a token of his growing affection, she learned that he was to name his grand country mansion Mount Lavinia, after her. Before long, King Tom and Lovina were engaged in a clandestine romance, their deep passion for one another flourishing in secret, away from the disapproving eyes of the English society in Colombo, and the moral imperatives of such a closed community." However, like most good things this romance had to end with Sir Thomas departure to England due to poor health and administrative reasons. Yet this affair is etched in the legends of time.

Costly

In the 1820s during Edward Barnes's reign the hotel was built into a two storey building with more rooms. After Barnes left, the British realised that maintaining the building was costly and it was sold to Arthur Ephraums in 1927. During World War II it was used as a military barrack for soldiers. After the war ended in 1945 the building was put up for auction and sold to Ceylon Hotels Ltd., and in 1948 after independence the hotel was sold to H.J. Pilbrow.

In 1955 the hotel was sold to P. Ediriweera, and in 1975 the Hyatt International Group purchased the hotel, and U.K. Edmund was appointed as the Chairman. The Sea and Garden Wing was constructed in 1978 and two more new wings were added and the current Chairman Sanath Ukwatte took over in 1985.

The rooms open up to a balcony which overlooks the ocean. It gives one the feeling of being in a ship in the middle of the ocean. The furniture is made from mahogany and calamander wood. The mansion has white columns, wide windows and wooden floors.

The location is unique because of the beach, and because it is neither a city hotel nor a resort hotel which is far away from the city.

The clientele is mixed with leisure clients and families, as well as the corporate guests who come to Colombo on business. There are three restaurants the Governor's restaurant, the Terrace and the Seafood Cove.

The Seafood Cove is special because it is a star class restaurant on the beach. It operates on the market concept and the catch is displayed, and guests can specify the way in which it should be prepared. The restaurants have themed buffets and a barbeque on Fridays.

Famous

Parts of the famous film 'Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed at the hotel in 1956. Famous guests who stayed here include Vivien Leigh, Kirk Douglas, Yuri Gagarin, Gregory Peck, King Leopald of Belgium and Somerset Maugham.

More recently the authors Louis De Bernieres, Nicholas Allan, Peter Grimsdale and Stephanie Calman participated in a three day literary event, 'Words on the Mount' which was held at the hotel. Today, the hotel, one of the oldest in the region, has become a destination in itself that travellers the world over have on their wish lists. Most guidebooks describe it as a 'must-see' destination even if you do not spend a night there. Just like the legend of Lovina, the hotel too has become a legend on its own.

Pix:Vipula Amarasinghe