‘Paradise in the Jungle’ LOLC Leisure new venture

30 September 2013 12:06 pm Views - 6457

The Cultural Triangle is one of the biggest attractions for travellers both Sri Lankan and overseas. Centrally located in a ‘Triangle’, Dambulla and Sigiriya provide the best adventure, nature and archeological destinations.

Kandalama Lake, one of the best locations in the area, provides the stunning backdrop for travellers. Green Paradise Resort, the latest player of the LOLC Leisure family is located on the west side of the beautiful Kandalama Lake in Dambulla.

Nestled in the jungle off ancient mysterious Kaludiya Pokuna, luxury Green Paradise Resort, Sri Lanka’s very first with Agro Eco-based luxury hotel, boast of 67 ecologically appointed villas and high end rooms in a 14 acre land offering ultimate luxury and isolation.

Built by an Italian investor and opened in April 2012, the Resort offers nature mixed 17 deluxe duplex rooms, 40 Suites and 10 Garden Suites with Agro Eco based environment.

Cozy Deluxe rooms are furnished with queen size beds, teak furniture, shower with private bathroom, TV, AC, safe box, mini bar, tea and coffee facilities and private veranda. The spacious Superior Duplex rooms are perfect for families or guests, who love extra space.

These rooms can accommodate up to four persons and include king size beds, other facilities and a large private veranda with a jacuzzi.

Offering complete privacy and secluded luxury, the Garden Suites are semi detached units consisting of 2 suites per unit, all with interconnecting doors, ideal for large families or groups. Every room has a digital touch pad with ultimate technology to control lights, TV, music and A/C.

The resort is surrounded by nature and lush vegetation, and will guarantee a great variety of services.

‘We have our own organic vegetation including fruits. Mostly we use our home grown products. We have vast open air space for cultivation and in time to come, will be self sufficient in vegetation,’ said Susantha Bandara, the Resident Manager of the Hotel.

Green Paradise is currently hosting the two cricket Teams- ‘Sri Lanka A and New Zealand A’, who are now playing at the Rangiri Dambulu Stadium. ‘Since the two teams are here, we prepared our ground for their practices. We had this ground facility for holiday makers, but with the teams coming to stay with us, I did make arrangements to upgrade the ground for their basic sessions. This will be a permanent feature and in future Cricket teams can use this hotel ground for their general practices,’ said Susantha Bandara.

The Green Paradise has two specialty restaurants and an authentic Pizzeria Al Forno.

Orchid Restaurant is the main restaurant, where breakfast, lunch and dinner is served with an elegant table service offering a selection of international dishes and theme nights on selected days of the week.

The Salt & Pepper Restaurant opens from 12.00 pm to 06.00 pm for snacks and light meals, and from 6.00 pm to 12.00 am for elegant fine dining.

‘Pizzeria Al Forno is located by the poolside where you can enjoy the best traditionally prepared pizza on the island. I think this is the only authentically designed pizza oven in Sri Lanka and I do not think this type of traditional oven is available in Colombo. Chef Padmasiri is a expert on international cuisine and fusion cooking,’ said Bandara.

Personalised butler services for Garden Suite occupants is the new service addition.

For newly wedded couples the resort offers services for relaxation, countless tours of various types that allow them to discover this enchanted land at leisure whilst enjoying the comforts of the resort.

‘If you dream of a honeymoon full of unforgettable moments, Green Paradise will fulfill your dreams, cradled in the midst of a land of ancient civilisations, the land of gems and spices, a mosaic of cultures and religions, to remain in your memories for a long time,’ he added.

The Resort offers a various excursion programmes, including bike rides to explore the surrounding forest paths and villages, elephant rides, bullock cart rides, hiking and tours by private jeep. The Resort is in fact close to the biggest rose quartz mountain chain of Southern Asia and the verdant forest with historical importance ‘Namal Uyana’.

The Green Paradise Resort is centrally located in the Cultural Triangle with easy access to many excursions and adventure trips including Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, Ritigala, Managala, Pidurangala, Minneriya, Kaudulla and the ancient mysterious monastery Kaludiya Pokuna, which has 69 identified caves. It was believed that monks occupied the caves for meditation purposes from 5th to 8th AD.

Also Green Paradise has a modern and fully equipped conference room capable of hosting 100 guests.

After being taken over by LOLC Leisure, Green Paradise has become popular amongst Sri Lankan and overseas travellers.

According to Susaan Bandara, the Head of Marcom of LOLC, there won’t be any immediate changes in the resort but only a few improvements and standardization projects to upgrade service and facilities.

‘LOLC is keen on Green Paradise to take on an international management scheme and will be completing the international requirements and norms. The resort will go for re-branding under five star hospitality,’ he added.