Serendib Leisure Sri Lankan News

As Sri Lanka positions itself for a significant growth in the tourism industry, it is the four Serendib Leisure resorts that stand out as unique and distinctive properties that deliver the promise of experiencing Sri Lanka’s glorious diversity. 

Sri Lanka is a tropical island packed with culture, adventure, sun and sand, religious heritage and natural beauty. Realizing the immense potential of tourism with the dawn of peace, an aggressive effort is now on to construct new hotels in a bid to gear up for the expected boom in tourism. However, there are very few properties that genuinely reflect the diversity of bounteous offerings that Sri Lankan holds. Serendib Leisure hotels and resorts is one leisure company that offers experiences of a lifetime – experiences that reflect the glorious abundance of Sri Lanka in its every nuance.

From the pristine beaches of Kalutara, Bentota and Waikkal, to the cultural heartland of Sigiriya, Serendib Leisure properties have a unique individuality that exudes a myriad of indelible experiences. For example, every hotel boasts of a signature dish and cocktail that best represents the surrounding environs. Ayurveda and wellness retreats are available in every property, soothing away your cares under the expert guidance of well-trained therapists. Just as the ancient science of Ayurveda seeks to restore the balance of elements within our bodies, each of the Serendib resorts steeps its guests with experiences to last a lifetime.

Hotel Sigiriya offers an experience of embarking on a journey of discovery through the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. The charming eco-retreat offers sweeping vistas of the UNESCO Word Heritage rock fortress and is set amidst a lush green jungle. Aside from the privilege of reveling under the shadow of the Lion Rock, the property offers timeless moments traipsing through the jungle, setting off on an exhilarating walk with elephants through the jungle and soaking in the sights and sounds of the jungle. The hotel guests are offered the opportunity to commune with nature at every turn: be it a jungle barbeque, a cycling trip through a local village or a nature walk, every moment you experience here is rustic and in the wild, completely geared for adventure. The hotel’s superior rooms offer every conceivable comfort. For those who have never tried dining al fresco in a jungle, this is the spot where the stars shine down on you and the moonlight caresses your shoulders as you savour gourmet dishes.

A whole world of nature’s bounty and eco-adventures topped off with a ‘chena’ lunch with villagers and bullock cart rides, this is a chance to experience a world gone by and experience age-old rituals. The hotel is in close proximity to Minneriya National Park, where one can experience ‘The Gathering’, one of Asia’s most spectacular wildlife events. A special Eco Centre offers knowledge about the region’s precious bio diversity via documentaries and books. This is the place where you feel like a responsible tourist because the hotel has received numerous plaudits for its highly developed green approach to tourism. Corporates can add value to their CSR initiatives by holding their meetings and conferences in this internationally recognized hotel for setting new standards for eco awareness and green best practices! Simply ethical tourism at its best!

On the other hand, Club Hotel Dolphin is fast gaining a reputation as a destination for a fun-filled family holiday, with myriad activities and adventure all packed together. Despite the abundance of animation activities in the hotel, the hotel has a ‘pause’ area for those who seek tranquility and serenity. This is a hotel where these two worlds of ‘play and ‘pause’ meet harmoniously! Two freshwater pools for ‘play’ and ‘pause’ and a brilliant gymnasium, guests here are spoiled for choice. With many bars and restaurants, there is something to suit every palate. The culinary teams at Serendib Leisure Hotels’ regularly win prestigious culinary awards!

A special seafood market displays a variety of freshly caught seafood, which is handpicked by guests and then cooked to perfection by the chefs. The fresh and succulent seafood is a gourmet’s dream. Beach barbeques are a hot favourite as are sunset volleyball matches. Set sail and kayak through the mangroves looking out for giant water monitors and endemic birds, or take a slow ride down the Dutch-built canal to visit a nearby village. Take a tour of the wealth of amazing religious sites in Negombo, from golden topped temples and mosques to churches. Club Hotel Dolphin’s proximity to the international airport and the cities of Colombo and Negombo makes it a very conveniently located choice for business and pleasure!

AVANI Bentota Resort & Spa is located on the best strip of beach in the golden mile along the island’s west coast. The pristine beach is enhanced by the superb architecture of the property. Designed by world-renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, who took inspiration from an 18^th-century Dutch village, the property has been refurbished for a contemporary feel and offers a tropical island beachside haven. Luxuriate in the stunning swimming pool and the succulent fresh seafood, or sunbathe on your lounger – this is a beach holiday where you write your own script. Clink champagne glasses as the sun sets and go for a moonlit walk on the beach. Post refurbishment, the resort offers some scintillating dining options.

Stretch out on a massage couch and let your skin be nourished by the natural healing power of plants and herbs. AVANI Bentota Resort and Spa also offers a variety of water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, water boarding and much, much more.

The hotel offers short day trips to the nearby Turtle Hatchery, a magical boat ride through the adjoining Mangroves so rich in bio diversity and endemic birds; a trip to The Brief, a stunningly landscaped garden, and much more.

AVANI Kalutara Resort lies between the ocean and the Kalu Ganga river, twisting almost 100 miles back to Sri Pada, the sacred mountain believed to be the footprint of the Buddha. Skim the white waves of the Indian Ocean on board a traditional fishing boat, or watch the sunlight glitter on the water as you kayak along the riverside… it’s almost like paddling through diamonds. With a daily-changing themed-night menu, you’ll never get bored at the Mangrove restaurant. Italian, Mexican, Chinese and, of course, Sri Lankan – we’ve got it all. Go with the flow in the Bar, watching the gentle progress of the Kalu Ganga river drift past, as you sip on a signature holiday cocktail made of vodka, Narikela (Sri Lankan coconut liqueur), Blue Curacao and Fresh Pineapple Juice. Picnics on the beach are a specialty here and you should at least try it once! Surrender to the expert care of Spa Ceylon Ayurveda, which offers spa treatments used by kings of erstwhile Ceylon using the science of Ayurveda!

All four of these unique properties are owned and operated by Serendib Leisure Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of blue-chip conglomerate Hemas Holdings, one of the leading public-quoted companies in Sri Lanka. The Hemas Leisure Sector consists of Inbound Tour Operations/Destination Management Company (DMC) and the Hotel Operations sector.