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| Sunday, 4 January 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Rosen Renaissance : The star in Kataragama by BEVERLEY JANSZ Located at Kataragama, 240 km. from Colombo (via Ratnapura) at the foothills of Vedahitikanda in a sprawling four acre property, Rosen Renaissance Hotel is a beautiful four-star hotel with 52 luxury rooms, offering a wide variety of comforts to the tired visitor.
The hotel stands one kilometre away from the famous shrine of God Skanda, venerated by Buddhists and Hindus world over. The hotel has a unique swimming pool with underwater music, which is a first of its kind in Sri Lanka's hotel industry. The guest rooms are spacious with IDD facilities, individual safe lockers, in-house movies, well stocked mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities, free of charge, and a 24-hour room service. The General Manager, Lal Dissanayake, with over 25 years experience at home and abroad in star class hotels, joined the team in the 2002 and transformed it from one night stop to offer its guests two to three nights stay and tailor made tours. An evening in the air conditioned Karaoke Bar to drown their thirst with a variety of cocktails on offer, is a big attraction to the guests at Rosen Renaissance. Dissanayake says that his experienced staff are an asset to the hotel. At Rosen Renaissance hospitality is the keynote and guests are not known by the room number but by their name. Executive Chef, Mahesh de Silva, who counts over 20 years experience, is ready with his brigade of experienced warriors to offer guests strictly vegetarian and non vegetarian food. Its buffets offer a wide selection of Sri Lankan, Indian, Western and Chinese cuisine prepared in the ultra modern kitchen to suit the customers' palate. A stone's throw from Yala and an hours drive from Bundala and Lunugam vehera National Park, about three hours drive to Pottuvil and Arugambay beach, Rosen Renaissance Hotel offers great comforts to its visitors. Jeep safaris organised by the hotel to any of the national parks or any other place of tourist interest, are extremely popular. The Kataragama entrance to Yala National Park which has been opened recently, is a 25 minutes drive from the hotel. Rosen Renaissance Hotel is owned and managed by Rosen Enterprises (Pvt.) Ltd., a BOI company whose Managing Director is Sagara Palihawadana. With his wide experience in the tourism industry, Palihawadana is very keen to provide the best services to visitors and believes the staff to be the key factor of the success in his hotel. He has planned another 40-room luxury hotel in the Southern Coast and work would commence very shortly. His vision is to make use of the peaceful environment prevailing at present, and to venture out to cater to the growing needs of travellers to Sri Lanka. ######## Lap-of-luxury at Rydges Plaza by INDUNIL THENUWARA in QATAR If you happen to be visiting the State of Qatar and want to spend a holiday in the lap of luxury, the Rydges Plaza hotel in the country's capital, Doha is the place for you. The hotel is situated nine kilometres away from the Doha International Airport, overlooking the crystal blue waters of the Arabian Gulf. The four-star hotel is the latest to join Doha's skyline and celebrated its first anniversary recently. It offers 136 rooms as well as suites featuring kitchenette facilities. Two rooms are also provided for people with special needs. The fully air-conditioned rooms offer all facilities from radio, television with cable and satellite services, telephone, iron and ironing board, minibar and refrigerator, hair dryer, modem access and tea and coffee making facilities. For the business person, there is a business centre and three meeting rooms. The health and sports enthusiast is not forgotten; for him/her, there is the rooftop swimming-pool on the 11th floor and the health club, which comprises the latest cardio-vascular and exercise equipment, sauna and steam room. The stunning atrium extends the height of the hotel. It provides two theme restaurants; the Garden Court Restaurant provides a superb view of the corniche (the path along the sea front) while il Rustico offers an authentic Italian experience. The Aussie Legends Bar is the ideal place to relax with a chilled beer while you catch up with the latest sporting events from around the world. The hotel is operated by Rydges Hotels and Resorts, a rapidly expanding Australian hotel company with a portfolio of over 35 hotels in Australia, New Zealand, UK, Thailand and the Middle East. The attractions located nearby include the corniche, National Museum, Doha Golf Club, Qatar Zoo and a wide variety of shopping areas. You would never feel far away from home at this hotel as the friendly and courteous staff include several Sri Lankans. Like all good things, the Rydges Plaza does not come cheap, but the experience will be well worth the money. However, make your bookings early as the hotel presently boasts 100 per cent occupancy. |
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