Shangri-La opens resort in Hambantota

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts laid the foundation stone for a resort on 145 acres on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Shangri-La's Hambantota Resort and Spa, Sri Lanka will complement Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, which has begun construction in the capital.

Kuok Khoon Ean, Chairman of Shangri-La Asia outlines the details of Shangri La's Hambantota Resort and Spa to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, MP and Chairman of the Hambantota District Development Coordination Committee Namal Rajapaksa, Executive Director, Shangri-La Asia, Madhu Ramachandra Rao and, Vice Chairman of Kerry Group George Young-Boon Yeo are also in the picture.

The resort is due to be opened in 2014 and the two properties mark the entry of the hotel group into Sri Lanka.

Shangri-La's Hambantota Resort and Spa, Sri Lanka will be surrounded by an 18-hole golf course, coconut plantations and sand dunes to the south. Built along the shoreline, the resort will offer 315 rooms including 24 suites ranging in size from 50 square metres (538 square feet) to 250 square metres (2691 square feet).

All rooms will offer balconies open to the ocean breeze.

The resort grounds are a natural extension to the region's wildlife habitat Yala and Bundala National Parks, Sri Lanka's foremost bird watching destinations, and over 40 heritage sites are within easy reach. To complement the local biodiversity. Shangri-La's Hambantota Resort and Spa will implement Sanctuary, Shangri-La's Care for Nature Project.

The resort is currently consulting with local environmental organisations to determine a conservation program for identified endangered species. An eco centre will be built on site, to teach and educate guests, colleagues and local schoolchildren about environmental awareness.

In keeping with its natural setting the resort's hot water will be produced using solar energy.

CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La will feature 10 treatment rooms, a beauty salon and health club.

A dive centre, a childre's club, 30-metre lap pool plus and additional free form pool, two tennis courts and retail facilities will offer recreational opportunities for business travellers and families alike.

Food and beverage outlets will include a lobby lounge, an all-day-dining restaurant, Asian speciality and North Indian restaurants as well as two pool bars and a gold clubhouse lounge. Multi-purpose function space and various pavilions offer options for conferences, meetings and weddings .