tourists - OutboundHolidays

Alpine – newest luxury hotel in the misty mountains

by BEVERLEY JANSZ

Alpine is the newest luxury hotel to be added to Sri Lanka’s number one tourist destination, Nuwara Eliya. Going by the name ‘Alpine’, the luxury hotel is surrounded by Nuwara Eliya’s ever green mountains. The plus point for Alpine is that is has been built overlooking Nuwara Eliya’s two main tourist attractions, the race course and Gregory’s lake.

The ‘cottage’ type hotel has 25 spacious and luxury rooms with all modern facilities of a 5-star property. All rooms are equipped with hot/cold water, large TV, modern ‘warmers’ telephone facilities, etc.

To add beauty to this luxury property, all electrical fittings and furniture are of Italian origin. ‘I wanted to make my hotel the best in Nuwara Eliya. During the construction period, every ‘stone’ was supervised by me, and all fittings and interior decor, were selected by me to make Alpine a truly ‘luxury’ cottage in Nuwara Eliya, Chairman, Alpine Hotel, D. G. Mahinda Kumara said.

In order to provide a star-class service and hospitality to tourists, both foreign and Sri Lankan a new management team has been recruited, headed by a versatile hotelier Roy Wootler as the General Manager. Roy has over 15 years of star-class experience in the hospitality industry. The soft opening of Alpine Hotel took place with the new management, recently.

Alpine is flanked by two beautiful misty mountains, Mount Pedro and ‘Single Tree’ and guests are provided a panoramic view of the Nuwara Eliya’s hill country, from their rooms.

The hotel has also recruited a new chef, Vijitha Gunawardena who has over 25 years experience having worked in a number of star class hotels. Gunawardena’s entry to Alpine Hotel will no doubt offer tourists, delicious Sri Lankan, Western and Eastern cuisine. The week-end buffets and BBQs, and specially the ‘rice and curry’ home-made style, have already become popular amongst guests, General Manager, Royal Wootler said.

The beautifully designed restaurant with colourful decor, could accommodate around 90 guests. Special packages are being offered to Sri Lankans and expatriates, in order to popularise the new hotel.

Alpine has already become popular for eco-tourism. The hotel offers excursions to mountains, water falls, boat rides in Gregory’s lake, and safaris to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Horton Plains, and other places of tourist attraction in and around Nuwara Eliya.

Alpine Adventurers Tours, which is a subsidiary of Alpine Hotel, offer exclusive deluxe wildlife safaris and natures tours too, including trekking, camping, birdwatching, mountaineering, rafting, mountain biking, fishing, adventure sports etc, Chairman, Alpine Hotel and Alpine adventurers Tours, and Municipal Council Member, Nuwara Eliya, D. G. Mahinda Kumara said.

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India

Citizens demand heritage city status for Agra

Ahead of the polls, several citizens’ groups have asked candidates of various political parties to support their demand for heritage city status to Agra visited by millions of tourists every year.

Party candidates are being asked to clarify their stand on various issues that concern the development of this historic city.

As the city celebrates World Heritage Day Friday, questions have also been raised about the poor conservation efforts and the failure of authorities to rid the three World Heritage monuments (the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri) of ugly encroachments.

Historians, conservationists and activists met at a round table conference Thursday organised by the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society. They expressed concern at the indifference shown by the city administration to check encroachments which were not only disfiguring the historical ambience but were also threatening some valuable structures that were less known but historically important.

“The Archaeological Survey of India was dragging its feet in implementing its own rules as well as the directives of the Supreme Court of India, in respect to new constructions and maintenance of the older ones,” said Surendra Sharma, president of the society.

With land prices sky-rocketing, and builders of all sorts making a beeline to usurp every inch of available space in the city, the survival of many of the smaller and less known structures has become uncertain, according to social activist Netra Pal Singh.

Before independence there used to be “more than 240 monuments in and around Agra but now fewer than 50 exist”, Sharma said. “Who has gobbled up all these symbols of history, the pride of India?” asked concerned members of the society.

“Conservation and preservation have to be a joint venture of government agencies and people’s organisations, as it was not always possible to police all the monuments,” Amit Mukerjea, head of the history department, St John’s College, told IANS.

A large number of monuments including Christian cemeteries have disappeared, their land acquired by colonisers and government town planners. “The Protestant cemetery in Bagh Farzana has almost disappeared with a dozen shops mushrooming around it,” said Mukerjea.

The city looked better planned and maintained in the 1960s and 70s than it does today, say the old timers, despite a plethora of development bodies and urban planning agencies which have actually made a mess of the Mughal metropolis.

Babar’s Ram Bagh across the river and Mariam’s tomb near Sikandra are just a few feeling the heat and being threatened by squatters. The Archaeological Survey of India routinely sends out notices but the district administration rarely takes any action.

Mukerjea said the open spaces around the monuments were deliberately left for gardens and green cover as these buildings were made to perfection with amazing geometrical precision.

While the local historians and voluntary groups have long been agitating for a heritage status for Agra, the governments at the state and centre have not shown any urgency in the matter. When the question was raised in the Supreme Court three years ago, the central government stated that the city did not deserve a heritage status because of its unplanned haphazard development.

This angered the urban planners and historians of the city who asked “whose fault was it that the city was not following the master plan and was growing haphazardly in all directions.”

Conservationists feel there are a “whole lot of contradictions in the government stand, because till date nobody has clarified which areas of the city come under the heritage description and which structures need conservation efforts,” historian R.C. Sharma told IANS.

“Yes, in the so called modern Agra there is evidence of haphazard planning and irrational growth, but then those are not the heritage pieces one would like preserved,” says N.R. Smith, a chronicler of Agra’s modern history.

“We have to begin by demarcating the areas as Mughal Agra, British Agra and the Agra Development Authority’s Agra. Only then can one go ahead with conserving the real heritage of the city of the Taj Mahal. And those who think people and their work places need to be demolished to make way for modern malls or parking slots are only hurting the spirit of conservation.”

Granting heritage city status to Agra, feel tourism industry leaders, will trigger a series of changes. It will ensure that foreign tourists prolong their stay in the city which abounds in monuments.

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India

Chandigarh expects a million tourists in 2009

The tourism industry in Chandigarh is booming, apparently untouched by global recession, and officials say they expect tourist arrivals to the ’city beautiful’ to cross the one million mark in 2009.

According to tourism officials here, 960,912 tourists visited the centrally administered city in 2008. Of these, 32,074 were foreigners.

This year, the tourism department is expecting more than one million tourists. The city, with its wide, clean roads and large gardens, was designed by legendary French architect, Le Corbusier in 1950s.

It has pretty places to boast of – the Rose Garden, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake and the government museum.

“We had an overwhelming response from tourists in 2008 and this year we are expecting their number to comfortably surpass the one million mark. The start of the year has been encouraging for us as a lot of tourists, both domestic and foreign, visited the city during January,” Vinod Kalia, deputy director of tourism, told IANS.

“All the tourist destinations here like Rose Garden, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, the government museum and the Sector-17 plaza are bustling with thousands of tourists everyday,” Kalia said.

The tourism figures of the last few years shows a clear rise in tourist inflow to the city, considered a gateway to Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Punjab.

In 2005, nearly 638,000 tourists visited the city, while it was 730,000 in 2006 and 954,726 in 2007.

Kalia added: “This overwhelming response is just because of the constant efforts of the administration and tourism department. Last year we had launched many special schemes for tourists like Chandigarh City Card, tourism police and bed and breakfast scheme.”

These days, Sukhna Lake here has become the focal point among tourists with its vibrant environment and diverse activities like boating, bird watching, camel riding and fishing.

It is, however, boating that is the most popular activity at the lake. One usually finds a long queue of people waiting for their turn.

“This is the peak season but during the last few days the rush had been subdued due to foggy weather and the cold. However, we are again experiencing the same kind of response. Our boats are booked throughout the day,” Sonu, who runs a shikara boat at Sukhna Lake, told IANS.

Apart from the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Sukhna Lake is the only other place in north India where one can find shikaras. There are five shikaras here that were introduced 2007.

“Seeing the response, we have recently introduced many colourful pedal boats in the shape of ducks, dragons and frogs. We have also imported a fire resistant jetty with hi-tech engine that is a rare thing in this part of the country,” A.K. Malhotra, general manager of Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) told IANS.

Foreign tourists are also enjoying visiting the city.

“This is my fourth visit here in the last 10 years. Earlier I came here on a business assignment but gradually I fell in love with this city. The greenery all around and wide roads are the best feature here,” said Dale Adams, a German tourist.

Oscar Muller, who is accompanying Adams, said: “This city reminds me of old streets of Paris. I am a great fan of Nek Chand, the curator of Rock Garden. Besides, people here are also very warm and hospitable.”

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Morocco

Amanjena Resort | Marrakech Palmeraie | Morocco

5++ STARS • 34 PAVILIONS & 6 RESIDENCES

Amanjena’s 32 sunset-red-coloured private pavilions are spacious and exquisitely designed; eight with private pools, and all with multi-faceted high domes with dimmer switches to highlight or lowlight the occasion and wood-burning sunken fires appealing to primal desires. The terraces have pillared gazebos with cushioned seating areas and candle lanterns creating a secluded area to chill or dine, from sunrise to sunrise.

Amanjena is honest and faithful to the ethos of Morocco, using exotic local materials to maximum effect. The chorus of colours at Amanjena; turquoise, midnight blue, burnt rouge, muted glazed greens and rose pink, serenade the beauty of its surroundings: olive groves and fruit trees, snow-capped Atlas Mountains, authentic Berber villages and the intriguing Medina of Marrakech.

The health and beauty centre, with indigenous hammams or steam rooms, alongside a glass-encased whirlpool, is both quintessentially Moroccan and deeply nourishing. Essential oil massages are skilfully carried out in inviting candlelit rooms with burning incense, floating rose petals and warm mint tea.

The magic here is that the resort caters for individuals who wish to maintain a high level of physical activity by making use of the ‘timber-floored gym, being privately coached on the clay tennis courts, working the manicured golf courses or hiking in the mountains. However, it is also fully possible to simply lie back like a pampered Pasha in a tranquil paradise.

Cuisine

Open only for dinner, the Restaurant offers innovative approaches to the local cuisine as well as Continental dishes. Soft lighting lends warmth to the generously proportioned room. A scalloped onyx fountain rimmed by olive trees climbs to a commanding central skylight. Moucharabieh-wood screens play at the higher reaches. The tinted plâtre ciselé walls are the colour of honeyed eggshell and chiselled with ancient Berber designs. Banquettes and tables dressed in white cloth, pink rose petals and thuja-wood settings hug the walls. During the summer months, dinner seating is moved outdoors. The Thai Restaurant alongside the swimming pool is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Authentic Thai cuisine is featured for lunch and dinner. The light-filled room features banks of glass doors and coral-tadlekt walls spiked with old Moroccan leather horse saddles. The Pool Terrace is open for breakfast and lunch and overlooks the pool and the adjacent championship golf course. Guests can enjoy private dining in their Pavilion or Maison. Special dinners or buffets to celebrate a unique occasion can be arranged. Upon request, intimate dinners accompanied by local music can be organised in the Caidal Tent, a traditional and romantic setting located in an olive grove.

Library

Ceiling lanterns and Arabic carpets colour the two storey room. Light filters in from dozens of windows cut, on varying levels, into the Library’s tadlekt walls. Recessed glass shelving keeps books, magazines and newspapers, as well CDs and DVDs and the distinctive green pottery of Tamegroute, in the Moroccan Sahara. There is also a selection of travel books and boardgames available. Library tables are of wild-cherry wood inlaid and stained to an ebony gloss. The room’s upper level is cloaked in a Moucharabieh-screened railing, which runs round most of the room. The fireplace is framed by cozy masria (Moroccan daybeds). A laptop is available for Internet access.

Boutiques

There are three boutiques within the cedar-ceiling colonnade that follows the swimming pool. The shops have some exclusive objects including a good selection of Moroccan art and handicrafts, jewellery, brass lanterns, pottery and antiques. All the linens, which include shawls, tablecloths, caftans and djellabas, are hand-woven. Some of the boutiques’ offerings are created exclusively for Amanjena.

Health and Beauty Centre

The hammam or steam bath is central to Moroccan life. Unsurprisingly, it has pride of place at the heart of the Amanjena Health and Beauty Centre. Each hammam (one each for men and women) is complemented by showers, washrooms, a change area and glassed-in whirlpool. Treatments at the beauty centre include massages, manicures, pedicures and facials. The Centre also features a timber-floor gym.

Swimming Pool

Amanjena’s heated outdoor 33m swimming pool is finished in zellij (mosaic) of glittering green écaille de poisson tiles. The patio is filled with chaise lounges and bordered by hibiscus flowers. The pool area features a pisé-style arch over a wide wall fountain and a separate shallow pool.

Tennis

Two clay tennis courts, floodlit for night play, are available with complimentary rackets and balls. The tennis grounds include a central arched pavilion with minzahs for drinks and rest breaks.

Internet

Wireless broadband connections are available in all resort accommodations and public areas.

Location

The Moroccans call their country Maghrib which, in Arabic, means “sunset” or “west”, acknowledging this North African kingdom’s place as the westernmost Arabic country. Bordered on the north by the Mediterranean Sea (Spain is just an hour’s ferry ride away) and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, Morocco has numerous beaches and a long, dramatic coastline. With four mountain ranges, great oases and the dunes of the Sahara, Morocco is a land of remarkable geographic diversity.Most international flights to Morocco from Europe and North America fly daily into Casablanca, where they connect with frequent daily internal flights to Marrakech. British Airways has a daily direct service from London and Manchester to Marrakech, and Royal Air Maroc has daily flights between London and Marrakech. Ryanair offers direct flights from London to Marrakech four times a week. There are also daily direct flights between Paris and Marrakech with Air France and Royal Air Maroc.From Marrakech airport, it is a ¼ hour complimentary transfer to Amanjena. A car transfer may be arranged between Casablanca airport and Amanjena for Dhs 2,500 + 10% per car per way. This takes approximately 2½ hours.

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Australia

Daintree Rainforest Lodge and Spa | Queensland | Australia

4 STARS • 15 VILLAS

Wake to the gentle sounds of nature in your Daintree rainforest accommodation. Enjoy total pampering in the unique Daintree Spa. Discover the secluded pristine waterfall. Breathe in the freshest of air. Dine in the enchanting Julaymba Restaurant & Gallery and experience the taste sensations of the tropics, try innovative contemporary Australian cuisine with a native twist. An ideal tropical north Queensland haven to explore the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Daintree River and Cape Tribulation.

Accommodation

A private, boutique accommodation in an ecological environment of exquisite natural beauty – rainforest villas set amongst the miracles of nature. Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa offers award winning, unique tree house style resort accommodation.

Spa

In the world renowned Daintree Spa, you will be taken into another world as you succumb to the pleasures of unique Aboriginal inspired massages and spa therapies bringing you in tune with the vibrations of the earth as its essences are applied gently to your body.

Weddings

Your rainforest Wedding at Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa is tailored to suit your individual needs and budget. Beginning your new life together with a wedding at an exclusive rainforest retreat offers you the ultimate in tranquility, privacy and seclusion for your perfect rainforest wedding.

Aboriginal Experiences

Experience Aboriginal Culture and unique Workshops not found elsewhere. Join our Indigenous Guided Rainforest Walk and our unique Aboriginal Art & Cultural Workshop where you can create your own art work and take it home with you. These unique Aboriginal Experiences are also available for day visitors with a variety of Day packages available.

Dining

Julaymba Restaurant & Gallery, with it’s balcony terrace, for all weather al-fresco dining, overlooks the peaceful lilly pond. uniquely crafted to compliment the Daintree rainforest setting and capture the serenity. Cuisine in deliciously Australian with a native twist, licensed and open for guest and public. Authentic Aboriginal artefacts and original artworks are on display in the Julaymba Art Gallery and available for purchase… take a little culture home!

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Sri Lanka

Apa Villa | Thalpe | South Coast | Sri…

BOUTIQUE VILLA | 7 SUITES

“The best thing about the villa, however, is its surroundings. Cicadas, birds and silver-haired monkeys have made the adjacent tropical gardens their playground while further afield, spice and rice fields disappear into the distance” – The Independent UK.

“Since I have a long way to go, I break journey at Unawatuna to have a quick lunch at Apa Villas, the beach property owned by Hans Hoefer, who till recently, was publisher of Insight Guides.

Apa Villas is perfectly placed for those who want to escape the city and yet be close enough to experience the sights of a part of this magical island. Hoefer seems to have got his formula right. The airy beach property looked after by a British couple, is as friendly as a large home can get. The rooms are remniscent of the British era with all comforts, built in a style befitting the tropical life of monsoon rains and incredible sunsets. Fully modernised, each villa is designed to take full advantage of spectacular views across the Indian Ocean that pounds onto the beach.” – The Hindu Sunday Magazine.

Apa Villa is a charming property that lies amidst a mature coconut grove, in fantastic surrounds on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Just 8km south of the historic city of Galle and its ancient Dutch Fort, the villa is an ideal getaway for those seeking sun, surf, the best sunsets and total relaxation. Whether with family or friends it’s minimal fuss and children are also welcome. With advanced notice the management will arrange for baby-sitting services when required. Apa Villa encourages bookings of the whole house, so bring your friends.

The style of the villa befits a gentle tropical existence of monsoon rains, golden beaches, surf and splendid sunsets. All suites are oriented to the sea. A unique elongated swimming pool is shaded by swaying palm trees and is the central attraction in the gardens. At its beach end is a wooden deck positioned to watch the rolling waves and spot the occasional ship passing or a sea turtle surfacing for air.

Come late afternoon, sit back with favourite cocktail to watch the most incredible sunsets one can ever imagine.

Apa Villa welcomes you to its breezy, sunny, open spaces in and around the villas. Whether seated in the interior lounge of your suite or surrendering yourself on the sun deck, where you feast your eyes on the lush greenery, the clear blue waves and a colourful sky. Then you notice that the tiled sloping roofs, elegant pillars, wood-steel-and-glass furniture add up to the aesthetics and charm of the setting.

ACCOMMODATION

Cinnamon Villas x 3: Light and airy corner suites with spacious lounge area facing both the garden and sea. Double beds under large mosquito net canopy are placed on a cool cement base. There are en suite bathroom with hot showers, wardrobe cupboards and writing table-cum-dressing table. Spill out to the verandah for dining outside. The rooms are air-conditioned. Connecting doors combine the suites making ideal lodgings for a family or group.

Cardamon Villa x 2: A complete suite with ensuite bathrooms, walk-in wardrobe dressing area, a seating area and air-conditioned bedroom screened off by accordion door panels. The choice area is the shared verandah with comfortable banquette and dining table on one side. The view is to the pool and ocean.

Safron Villa x 2: These designer suites are excellent with own verandah overlooking the garden and sea. The suite has a double bedroom, a master bathroom with door to the garden, a living room and garden pool. All rooms have ceiling fans too.

CUISINE

The staff at Apa Villa serve breakfast on the verandah of each suite at your time, any time. There’s a standard breakfast of fresh fruit, blended fruit juice, tea or coffee and milk. The main breakfast is Western fare with eggs and sausages, bacon and cheese. There are also local Sri Lankan breakfast specialties of plain or egg hoppers, a pancake of sorts made with rice flour and coconut milk with an egg added. Hoppers have to be ordered the evening before. A favourite for breakfast is the buffalo milk curd with sweet treacle.

Dine in the shade of the coconut palms. Gather on the beach deck. The staff carry out your every wish, effortlessly. Your choice of meals – Sri Lankan curries, fresh lobsters, tiger prawns and yellow-fin tuna cooked to recipes of the world. Taste a young jackfruit curry, fresh herbs, red rice and local specialties harvested from the villas own estate.

Tropical fruits of pineapple, mango, banana, watermelon and passion fruit are simply delicious. Out of this world homemade desserts include pancakes with coconut and palm sugar filling, buffalo curd and treacle, and chocolate and fruit fondue.

SERVICE

Without boasting, Apa Villa garners praises for its standard of service. Not overwhelming, not pretentious, always in anticipation, unobtrusive and discreet – A fresh beach towel, a nice cup of tea and a ready smile always.

The villas trained English-speaking staff will help to arrange transport, massage service, baby-sitter, laundry, scuba diving and gives friendly tips on local sightseeing. The library has a stunning collection of reference books, children’s books and travel guides from around the world for guests to dip into.

Products & Services: English-speaking staff – Local transport services – Massage service – Baby-sitter – Laundry – Scuba diving – Local sightseeing – Internet access – Library: adult/children’s books and travel guides.

Check-in/Check-out Time Normal Check-in Time is 12.00 noon and Check-Out time is 11.00 a.m. Earlier Check-in Time or later Check-out time could be requested on a case by case basis and the hotel may agree depending on availability.

Apa Villa is not available for online bookings – Send us an email by clicking on the ‘Contact’ tab above and we will confirm availability and make the booking on your behalf.

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Sri Lanka

Amaya Reef | Beach Spa Resort | Hikkaduwa |…

DELUXE BEACH RESORT & SPA | 54 ROOMS

Golden sands – Days spent lazing on the beach of Sri Lanka’s southern coast – Exploring the ocean, diving shipwrecks, snorkelling the reef. Poolside cocktails. Seaside lobster. Beach walks. Rainforest excursions. ..wow! This is paradise. Friendly smiles and personalised service, whether you are a first-time guest or one of the many repeat visitors.

Most guests choose to spend their days around the sea, and the resort has been designed with this desire in mind. Every room has a sea view, where early risers can enjoy the brilliant early morning blue from their balcony. Enjoy breakfast in the ocean-side restaurant, choosing from international fare or Sri Lankan style for a taste of local cuisine [Don’t miss the ftropical ruit salad topped with curd and honey]. A morning walk south along the beach will take you to quiet stretches of beach bordered by lush greenery and coconut palms swaying in the sea breeze.

In the afternoon, snorkel the coral reef or take a trip to the Dutch colonial fort in nearby Galle. a UNESCO listed World Heritage City. Amaya Reef arranges snorkelling excursions so you can see the attraction that lends the resort its name. For divers, Amaya helps you to book diving trips that catch the highlights of the southern coast. PADI certification courses are also available.

Luxuriate in the evening with a lobster dinner, freshly caught and served according to your taste.

Transportation to/from Amaya Reef, individual excursions or a daily chauffeur-driven car can be easily arranged by the hotel.

Hikkaduwa is a lively beach town straddling Galle Road, which runs from Colombo to the country’s southern reaches. As you walk through the town, you will encounter shops where you can pick up local artwork, batiks, clothing or even a distinctive piece of jewellery.

Those seeking culture will find the town dotted with a few interesting temples, and heading a little inland you can catch a glimpse of the local lifestyle. Just cross Galle Road and stroll down a promising sidelane, where you may discover a temple ceremony, local farmers, rice paddy’s, or a spirited game of cricket.

From Amaya Reef you can explore the southern coastline. The hotel offers the following excursions.

– Visit to Galle City
– Visit to Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum, Koggala
– Stilt fishing at Ahangama
– Visit to world-famous Sinharaja Rainforest
– Madu Ganga safari in Balapitaya
– Turtle Hatchery at Kosgoda
– Watersports at Bentota
– Deep Sea Catamaran Fishing
– Train tour to Matara
– Moonstone mine at Meetiyagoda

Ayurveda Spa: The science of life, Ayurveda is an ancient healing science practiced extensively in Sri Lanka and India. A holistic approach to wellness and to maintaining a balance between the body and the mind, passed on from one generation to the next for centuries. It is a journey back in time to discover one of the best-kept secrets of Sri Lanka.

Experience this time-honoured tradition at Amaya Reef’s Ayurveda spa. Elevate your holiday with healing encounters with the elements of nature, herbal remedies, aromatic steams, and purifying scents. Oil body massage enhanced by individually selected Ayurvedic medicinal oils that relax the muscles. Facial treatment under aromatic steam that rejuvenates the skin. Herbal bath with the scents of locally grown herbs that cleanse and detoxifythe body.

Each therapeutic treatment is performed by qualified Ayurvedic specialists, under close supervision of the resident Ayurvedic physician. For guests who require a specific treatment, tailor-made programmes an be designed with particular attention paid to the selection of individual herbal ingredients and therapeutic techniques.

Led by well-trained male and female therapists, Amaya Reef offers a wide selection of popular Ayurveda spa treatment programmes.

ACCOMMODATION

Overlook the Indian Ocean from your balcony or terrace. Every one of Amaya Reef’s 54 rooms features an ocean view and each offers individual design. Simplicity – Clean design that allows you to enjoy the natural setting. Ocean breezes. Sri Lankan sunsets. A comfortable space of your own to enjoy the beauty of Hikkaduwa.

CUISINE

Seaside Restaurant: Grilled lobster. Sri Lankan fish. Tiger prawns. Sri Lankan curries. Dine on the freshest seafood with exquisite flavours and local touches that give each dish a flavour unique from any you have tasted elsewhere in the world.

Amaya Reef’s culinary director and staff seek out the individual desires of each guest, ensuring them a personalised dining experience that outshines the buffets or one-menu-suits-all approach found in many restaurants.

Theme nights bring you close to Sri Lankan culture and world cuisine, with décor and culinary offerings evoking each special theme.

Open Air Bar: Savour drinks at the bar, chatting with the friendly bartenders or enjoy your cocktails at a table beneath the trees. The bar is found between the main building and the seaside restaurant. Choose your pleasure from a selection of cocktails, beers, wines, shooters. Adventurous revellers are invited to try a drink made from the strong local coconut liquor arrack.

High Tide Pub: Your holiday splash begins. Feel the rhythm. Allow the body to move with the flow of energy. Grab a margarita and experience a high tide of fun as your body warms up to the ambience.

With a well-stocked bar, bartenders at High Tide Pub can concoct a wide range of alcoholic drinks and cocktails to satisfy your imagination. The bar also serves savoury bite-sized snacks or “short-eats” with a touch of local spice and flavour.

The sands of Hikkaduwa shine a beautiful golden yellow and long after your trip you are likely to remember the hours spent strolling down the beach, swimming along the shore or basking in the equatorial sun for a tan to be envied.

The beach – its spectacular scenery and relaxed atmosphere – this is what brings guests to Hikkaduwa.

A famed surfing destination. A coral sanctuary perfect for snorkelling. Diving expeditions which take you to the most fascinating underwater sites in the area.

Products & Services :54 A/C Rooms, Room Service, Foreign Currency Exchange, Laundry Service, IDD Facilities, Swimming Pool, Ayurvedic Spa Treatments, Nightclub (opening soon), Tennis, Table Tennis, Beach Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton, Surfing, Water Polo, Boat Rides, Beach Rugby, Indoor Games.

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