|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 25 July 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Refurbished Deer Park launched at gala ceremony by Jayampathy Jayasinghe A five hour journey from Colombo took us to Deer Park Hotel at Industry, Tourism and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Bandaranike launched the refurbished Deer Park hotel at Polonnaruwa at a gala ceremony recently. The minister said that his ministry will launch an ambitious plan to lure tourists from China, India and from other asian countries. The Deer Park Hotel consists of 77 different chalet type units suited to up market tourists. The hotel which is located within the Cultural Triangle is a popular destination in Sri Lanka. The rooms are spacious and elegantly furnished to cater to up-market tourists. Chairman, Jinasena Group, Dr. Nihal Jinasena said at a media briefing that Deer Park was given a complete facelift after its tie up with Angsana Resorts and Spa to lure high spending tourists to Sri Lanka. Asked what the amount that was re-invested for refurbishing, he declined to comment.
It was a coincidental meeting with Banyan Tree while in India which ultimately led to a formation of an alliance. Banyan Tree has also come to India to receive a PATA award in a particular category. Dr. Jinasena expressed optimism that the alliance with Angsana Resort & Spa would help market Deer Park for up- market clientele. "Our hotel room rates are going to double in the forseeable future." he said. Chairman, Banyan Tree Holdings, Ho Kwon Ping said the tie up would help to lure up-market clientele to the Deer Park. He said that the Banyan Tree Holdings will re-package Maldives and Sri Lanka together as tourist destinations to lure up market tourists. We hope to set up another Spa project in the costal region of the south and send around 400 trained physio therapists and masseurs from Thailand who would also train Sri Lankans, he said. Dear Park's Marketing Head, Lalin Jinasena said that Angsanas entry into Sri Lanka was a positive sign for the future of tourism. Angsana Resorts & Spa was launched in June 2000 to cater to a younger group of holiday makers with the opening of its first resort, Angsana Resort & Spa Bintan in Indonesia. The group has since expanded and now owns and manages properties in Great Barrier Reef, Bangalore and Maldives. *************** A Garden of Eden The Eden Resort and Spa which has over the years gained a reputation for providing world-class facilities and services combined with warm Sri Lankan hospitality, has completed its Rs. 150-million refurbishment programme, launched in May this year. The renovation work undertaken by a well-known Malaysian architect Karim Hussein in collaboration with Bali-based Australian interior designer, Franco Benidinelli, has transformed the hotel into a brand new luxurious product with a totally new look. The lobby has been completely refurbished with sandstone and granite and has four check-in desks offering guests a more personal service. All the guest rooms have also been renovated. The rooms are centrally air-conditioned and offer an impressive list of amenities including satellite television, electronic safety deposit boxes, tea-and-coffee-making facilities and fully-stocked mini bars. Eden Resort and Spa's new range of deluxe rooms and suites, located on the top floor with a breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean, is designed to create luxurious living at its best. The 16 bedrooms, four suites and two penthouses offer a 'hotel within a hotel concept' incorporating a modern and contemporary design with special emphasis on comfort and space. These rooms and suites boast a personalised check-in/check-out, choice of welcome drinks, separate lounge for relaxation, a business centre, butler service, special pillow 'menu' with a variety to suit every comfort level, special menu of room fragrances and upgraded in-room amenities. A four-poster bed, timber flooring, wide screen TV, DVD/VCD player with an extensive DVD library and espresso machine are some of the other highlights of these rooms and suites. Food and Beverage Outlets 'Temptation', Eden's new signature restaurant, a first of its kind on the South West coast, now offers intimate dining a deluxe in charming and elegant ambience with a modern wine cellar offering the finest selection of vintage wines. The Chameleon Cafe, open 24 hours a day offers alfresco dining in air-conditioned comfort. The Cafe is also a trendy venue for cocktails and evening entertainment. The 'Garden of Eden', the hotels main restaurant has also taken on a new eco-friendly look with wooden chairs, upholstery in natural textures and shades, and a timber-skirted wall with carvings of tropical plants. Also refurbished are the sports and entertainment facilities, including the gymnasium. The spa, an already popular facility of the hotel, has been upgraded to provide a wider range of massages and treatments for different groups and varying needs, including a full range of aromatherapy treatments. The Eden staff have also been given intensive re-training in preparation for the grand re-opening on August 1. *************** Hayes & Jarvis focus on Sri Lanka Hayes & Jarvis, is the first British tour operator to launch a dedicated brochure on Sri Lanka with the co-operation of Sri Lankan Airlines and the local partner Hemtours (Pte) Ltd. The 34 page brochure with a circulation of over a million reveals the diversified products on offer to the inbound tourist which is a boost to promote the destination in UK. Chairman Sri Lanka Tourist Board Udaya Nanayakkara said that the initiative made by Hayes & Jarvis augurs well to promote tourism in UK, which has been one of the prime generating markets for tourism over the years. Head of Commercial, Sri Lankan Airlines G.T. Jeyaseelan,commended Hayes & Jarvis for their initiative and said that they are pleased to have been associated with them on this drive where the national airline now operates 12 direct flights per week to UK. Managing Director of Hemtours Mr Victor Abeyesekara, said that Sri Lanka's places of attractions are well portrayed and positioned through this brochure. *************** Comet Cable KLM on air promotion Carlsberg was the main sponsor for Euro 2004 Portugal along with Comet Cable. Having decided to promote football in Sri Lanka Carlsberg sponsored the planned events. Carsons Airline Services (Pvt) Ltd the General Sales Agent for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Northwest and Murtinair was the co-sponsor for this event. Comet Cable televised the qualifying matches and the most interesting matches at four pubs namely Clancy's, The Glow, Rhythm and Blues, and White Horse. Apart from this Comet Cable/KLM had an on air promotion, where all matches shown on Comet Cable and the viewers were asked to guess the winner of the tournament and KLM gave away two return air tickets on Business Class for the winner with two nights hotel accommodation. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
Polonnaruwa overlooking the spectacular Giritale reservoir. Despite the
long journey it was worthwhile visiting the newly refurbished Deer Park
after its tie-up with Angsana Resort & Spa, a subsidiary of Banyan
Tree, an international resort chain of Singapore.
According to Dr. Jinasena the company decided to re-launch the Deer
Park after it won a PATA award for the best-designed website.
