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| Sunday, 30 November 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Villa Riviera : In new hands by BEVERLEY JANSZ On the golden sandy beaches of a serene paradise, where a cool wind mingles with the sea breeze, where the rustle of palm leaves creates a soothing sound and the majestic waves dance endlessly, stands Villa Riviera, a sober beach abode in Beruwala, on the Western Coast of Sri Lanka.
The 54-room hotel is located in the world famous Barberyn reef stretch in Beruwala overlooking the scenic rock island where the old Light House takes refuge to guide its lonely friends sailing past the Southern tip of Sri Lanka. Boating, snorkelling, diving, underwater exploration of the world beneath the shallow blue sea known as the Coral Reefs of Barberyn, are a few of the things popular at this resort, says Sunil Fernando, the General Manager of Villa Riviera. The rooms flirt with the seafront view, with an on-suite bath consisting of a private balcony or a terrace, if on the ground floor. Built in the early 80's, the hotel comfortably satisfies the conservative traveller at present. The chef's alluring platters include Western, Sri Lankan, Mongolian, BBQ, Chinese or Indian cuisine. With the present demand from the tourist sector being mainly for 3-star and above, we are able to offer very attractive packages on full board and 'all-inclusive' basis (with unlimited local alcholic or non-alcholic beverages) said Fernando. The roof top with the panoramic view of the blue waters of the Indian Ocean tempts a visitor to stand and gaze at the sunset over the palm trees with a cool glass of beer or soft drink, or a hot cup of Ceylon tea. This property although built in the early 80's, has a promising future and will be up-graded from its 2-star standard at present, to a 3-star plus, commencing at the end of this Winter season, making it a charming place for both foreign and Sri Lankan holiday makers said Vasantha Jayasuriya, the Chairman/Managing Director of Jaysons Group of companies, the new owners of Villa Riviera, who also owns The Glendower, a typical English country manor type hotel in Nuwara Eliya and The Golden Mile, beach restaurant, a fascinating 'Log Station' in Mt. Lavinia, famous for its seafood. ###### Welikanda Rest House : latest addition to CHC chain Ceylon Hotels Corporation (CHC) Chairman, Bodhisiri Ranasinghe's vision to add more resorts to its chain of rest houses and hotels took a leap forward when the CHC took over the Ruhunu Ketha Guest Home, at Welikanda in the Polonnaruwa district from the Mahaweli Authority. It has now been re-named Welikanda Rest House. The 10-double room rest house, with a scenic view of the Ruhunu Ketha Wewa, at Welikanda, in the Polonnaruwa district, has already become a popular mid-way stop over for foreign tourists and Sri Lankans visiting Polonnaruwa and Pasikuda, said H.S. Piyaratne, a senior employee of the Ceylon Hotels Corporation who has been appointed the manager of Welikanda Rest House. Senior Manager, Marketing/Travel, Ceylon Hotels Corporation, Ranjith Balasuriya said that the CHC is going all out to popularise the Welikanda Rest House among foreign and local tourists. The rest house has been up-graded to a star class resort, on the instructions and guidance of CHC Chairman, Bodhisiri Ranasinghe. |
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