The Swiss Residence Kandy

A honeymooners' paradise:

Lester JANSZ

KANDY: The Swiss Residence, built in the romantic hill capital of Kandy, is the ideal retreat for those seeking a holiday away from the hustle and bustle of the mainstream. The hotel has successfully captured a charming blend of European and Kandyan culture in its marvellous architecture.

Located on the highest point of Bahirawakanda, with a fascinating view of the Knuckles mountain range, virgin green hills of Hantane, natural rain forest of Udawatte Kele, guests could absorb the tranquillity the Swiss Residence offers.

"The hotel is truly a paradise for honeymooners," says the youthful manager Lalith R. Ellepola.

Constructed on an acre of land at Bahirawakanda, the hotel has 40 rooms, inclusive of a luxurious 'Royal Suite', 12 deluxe rooms, 18 air-conditioned rooms and nine standard rooms. All rooms have a private balcony providing guests a breathtaking view of the hill capital.

All rooms are equipped with fans, air conditioning, hot/cold water, piped music, TV, and private terraces. The luxury rooms are equipped with a mini bar, colour TV and modern bathrooms with attractive Italian fittings.

The luxuriously proportioned 'Royal Suite' has a sitting room, with a balcony and steps leading up to the bedroom.

The sitting room windows which are right around open on to the panoramic view of Kandy and the Anniewatte hills. The suites feature a novel 'Jacuzzi' bathtub with a massage and soothing effect.

The rich blend of Swiss and Kandyan architecture, combined with the hospitality of the warm, gracious staff is sure to make the guests feel at home.

"The hotel caters to the needs of the guests with modern conference facilities," said manager, Ellepola, who counts over 20 years in the hospitality industry.

He said that the hotel will provide the services of a personalised butler on the request of the guest. He also said that the hotel targets mainly the local tourist market.

Temple of the Tooth, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Sigiriya, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Dambulla Rock Temple, the Digana Golf course and evergreen tea estates of Nuwara Eliya are only a few places of interest that could be visited using the Swiss Residence as a base.

The Swiss Residence has a contemporary Ayruvedic Clinic with the services of experienced Ayurveda doctors to make guests relax while enjoying the soothing effects of Ayurveda therapy.

The large and modern banquet hall at the Swiss Residence could cater to over 500 guests. The hotel offers the very best in both Western and Oriental cuisine, prepared by expert chefs.

An A-la-carte menu too is offered to guests, with a 24-hour room service. The hotel has a well stocked bar, offering innovative cocktails.

Breathe in the cool fresh mountain air, soak up some tropical sunshine, enjoy the peace and relax taking in the sunset from the beautiful pool terrace at The Swiss Residence - a marvellous site to relax having a dip in the beautiful pool on top of Bahirawakanda hill, with a breathtaking view if the surrounding mountains.

The Swiss Residence Hotel is owned and managed by Zurikan Hotels and Travels (Pvt) Ltd. Sarath Bandara Wijesooriya is its Chairman/Managing Director. Its other director is Ms. Ruth Wijesooriya.

The Swiss Residence can be reached via e-mail on: info@swissresidence.lk and the hotel is available on the web at: www.swissresidence.lk

International Chefs' Day at Airport Garden Hotel

THE International Chefs' Day is celebrated on October 20 each year and the Chefs Guild of Lanka has planned a day's event to mark this occasion.

All Chefs in Sri Lanka representing all hotels will take part in this occasion. The Chefs Guild of Lanka was awarded the 'Global Humanitarian Award' for all the tsunami cooking camps operated in the affected coastal areas feeding almost 10,000 displaced people.

This award was given to the Guild at a special world congress held in New Zealand in March this year and the Guild was chosen from 82 countries.

The Guild has also set up a Hotel School in one of the tsunami affected areas in Hambantota called Hungama and is working closely with the Don Bosco, training youth from the tsunami areas in cookery.

The first batch of students will be invited to meet the Guild's chefs on October 20. The entire programme is fully funded by the Guild and commenced on August 1 with a batch of 30 students.

The Guild will also cook and serve breakfast for 300 orphaned children on the morning of October 20 at Don Bosco Centre in Dungalpitiya, which is close to the Airport Garden Hotel.

Italian food festival at Ceylon Continental

CEYLON Continental Hotel, Colombo will present an Italian Food Fiesta from October 10 to 15.

The festival, which will be held at the Cafe Emerald, Coffee Shop will offer an array of Italian delicacies from 7 pm to midnight.

Fresh Salads with Italian dressings, hot soups, Pastas with seafood dishes and hot meat dishes all cooked the traditional way will be offered at the festival.

That's not all - there will be tempting dessert buffet as well - all Italian.

Discover Moghul Cuisine at Alhambra

THE Indian duo Chef Sanjay Prasad and Chef Santhosh Chaniyal continue to dazzle the many customers, who patronize the city's famous Indian restaurant, the Alhambra at the Holiday Inn.

For over three decades the delicious food supplemented by a courteous and prompt service has made this restaurant a culinary hotspot.

A wide selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are available on the a la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

A special Thali meal is also a signature dish of the Indian Chefs. A spectacular dinner buffet is served every Friday evening, commencing 7 p.m. onwards. An oriental orchestra will serenade dinners, setting the perfect ambience for a truly Indian experience.

Paddy new Director at Carsons Hotels

APPOINTMENT: Former Director of John Keells Hotels and former Chairman, Ceylon Tourist Board, veteran hotelier, Paddy Withana has been appointed Director, Carson Cumberbatch Hotels.

Paddy, who counts over 35 years in the hospitality industry, is a pioneer in Sri Lanka's hotel hospitality industry.

Pegasus Reef, Hendala and Giritale Hotel, Giritale, which are owned and managed by Carsons, have seen a new lease of life within a short period of Paddy's appointment as Director of Carson Cumberbatch Hotels.

Pegasus Reef Hotel, the Garden Resort by the beautiful Uswatakeiyawa beach has been fully refurbished at a cost of Rs. 225 million under the direction of Paddy Withana.

Pegasus now offers Star Class facilities, and offers 107 deluxe rooms equipped with all modern star class facilities.

Pegasus has become popular for Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions (MICE) within a very short period, Paddy was the past President of the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates' Association (CHSGA) and Past Chairman of Hotel and Catering International Management Association (HCIMA). He was also the past District Governor, Lions District 306A.

With Paddy's extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry, it is no doubt that Carson Hotels will see a new lease of life.

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