HERITANCE KANDALAMA MORE THINGS TO RELIVE

24 May 2012 05:49 am

Heritence Kandalama, popularly known as Kandalama Hotel is one of the most talked about hotels in the Sri Lankan hospitality industry. Since its opening in 1994, hundreds of newspaper articles and stories have been published about the hotel.

The latest addition to the Hotel will be the most environment friendly ‘Conference Centre' in Sri Lanka at the top of the Dambulla wing end giving an almost 270 degree view of the entire Kandalama village, tank and the mountains.

Still under construction, this beautiful ‘Green Conference Centre' will be the first of its kind to operate in Asia.

Heritance Kandalama has been celebrated for its green philosophy and is widely recognised as the five-star resort that put eco tourism on the map in Sri Lanka. 'Kandalama' is Sri Lanka's most awarded hotel, was rated the Best 5-Star Resort in the island for the fourth consecutive year at the Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism.

Heritance Kandalama is flanked by two UNESCO world heritage sites - the 1st century BC Dambulla rock temple and the 5th century AD Sigiriya rock fortress while it also has its share of unrivalled international recognition.

Kandalama is one of the creations of the world famous architect, the late Geoffrey Bawa. Its setting is unique. In a forest where the rocky outcrops of the emerging central hills slope down to meet the dry plains which spread themselves northward which is interspersed with greener and man-made lakes - home to a variety of indigenous birds, wildlife and flora, lies Kandalama Hotel. The hotel is about 170 km north of Colombo.

The 162 rooms blend perfectly with the natural environment, while preserving the aura of ancient hermit caves. Kandalama Hotel is a one kilometre long building from its Sigiriya end in North to the Dambulla end in South.

Room facilities include airconditioning/fans, attached bath/shower with hot and cold water, cable TV, mini bar, telephone with IDD, piped music, 24 hour room service and laundry. The Hotel boasts of three swimming pools including one with natural water and also three main restaurants.

Ayurvedic health care, indoor games, tennis, billiards, horse riding, canoe rides, elephant back trekking, bird watching, nature trails, cycling, nature photography, botanical studies, and the latest Hot-air Ballooning are some of the top attractions of the hotel.

Three Restaurants – ‘Kasyapa', ‘Kanchna' and ‘Kaludiya', offer a breathtaking view of the Kandalama tank, Sigiriya rock and the jungle. The two Bars - ‘Kanchan' and ‘Katakatha', situated on the upper floors of the hotel have a ‘bird's-eye' view of the Kandalama tank and a panoramic view of Sigiriya.

‘Kanchana' Cafe overlooks one of the three famous Kandalama pools renowned for their architectural splendour. Kandalama Hotel has been awarded the Green Globe 21 Certification which identifies members of the Tourism Industry and communities, who place specific emphasis on sustainable environmental development, manage energy, water waste and pollution and actively participate in the conservation of clean air, while protecting the heritage, culture and wildlife.

Heritance Kandalama is the 1st hotel in the world to obtain the Green Building Certification.