Waters Edge unveils Sri Lanka’s first eco-friendly, smart and sustainable boutique resort

The very first eco-friendly luxury boutique resort in Colombo made its debut when Waters Edge recommenced the construction of the much-anticipated 48-room project.  

With its intriguing design, smart-tech features and eco-friendly sustainable structure and operational strategy, the resort-style establishment is set to become a vibrant business resort for locals and tourists and a hallmark for luxury city hotels around the world. 

To mark this idyllic occasion that would bring the planned venture to its projected completion, the chairman and team members of Waters Edge hosted a ceremony to unveil the resumption of activities, under the patronage of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Public Sanitation State Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, who was the chief guest of the ceremony and Urban Development and Housing Ministry Secretary Sirinimal Perera, who was the guest of honour, along with the management, government officials and guests.

The boutique resort is curated by acclaimed architect Murad Ismail. It would feature 48 rooms, including suites and a presidential suite, with a private plunge pool.

The new resort precinct would mark a new scale of sophistication, with smart guest experiences with state-of-the-art technological advents such as Internet of things (IoT)-powered rooms, digital check-in facilities and real-time air monitoring to enable a superior level of guest interaction, safety and wellness. The resort will also be equipped with new world-class sustainability initiatives, never to be seen in Sri Lanka before set to revolutionise the industry.
“We are delighted to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for recommencing the construction of this luxurious resort at Waters Edge,” stated Waters Edge Chairman Rohan Fernandopulle. 

“City-based hotels in our country are pitched to the corporate market, dine-in guests and mostly the tourist who travel on work purposes. Waters Edge Boutique Resort, which is immersed within natural surroundings, would be a blend between both worlds.”

Fernandopulle further went on to introduce the innovative concept model it would run under, known as eco-luxury, smart and sustainable (ESS), to which the property will be fully committed to achieving as its main unique selling point. The resort has a unique feature of an overhead bridge, which will be built over the pool in connecting to the existing Waters Edge Hotel, solely for the convenience of the in house guests, who will also share the facilities such as the restaurants, gymnasium and pool.

The ceremonial gathering was also addressed by Dr. Godahewa, who commented, “This project is certain to gain momentum as the most ultramodern city resort in Sri Lanka. I am excited to see the implementation of the ESS concept in its quest to become a world-class environmentally sustainable resort.”

The minister also went onto state that he is delighted to see government entities doing better than the private sector, even during the difficult times.

Complementing the initiatives taken by the Urban Development Authority (UDA), Perera stated, “The efforts made by the UDA sets pace to the nation’s aspiration in transforming the capital city to one that is futuristic and sustainable.” 

He also commented, “I  am happy to see all the new projects taking place under the purview of the UDA, which fall perfectly in line with the President’s vision of ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’, in changing the cityscape for the better.” Perera was instrumental in getting the halted project recommenced in a very short period of time.