Peacock Beach Hotel - Pride of H'tota

By Sanath Weerasuriya. Pix by Berty Mendis.

Peacock Beach Hotel in Hambantota is one of the pioneering properties in the Deep South. Started in 1983, the hotel has gone through many changes during the period.

After the 2004 tsunami devastation, Peacock Beach Hotel started its operations early this year. The owning company, the Guruge Group of Companies has invested Rs. 60 million to refurbish the hotel after the deadly destruction. According to Dulani Guruge, the Director Sales and Operations of Guruge Group, the new look hotel will focus on leisure and business travellers as Hambantota would be the new business hub of the South.

‘The hotel will be also upgrading most of their rooms to provide a better service. In addition, several new facilities will be introduced such as a Sports and Recreation center, Pool Tables, Squash, Clay court Tennis. These facilities would be ready by July 2007' she added.

Peacock Beach Hotel, the largest and only beach front hotel in the Hambantota region is now under major refurbishment programme. Resident Manager, Peacock Beach Hotel, Vajira Jayawickrema said out of 112 rooms, upgrading of the 36 standard rooms and 24 deluxe rooms have already been completed.

In addition the management is hoping to introduce Surfing Centre Cycling trail and a Turtle Hatchery. 'In fact Peacock Beach Hotel in Hambantota was the place for the first surfing event in Sri Lanka, which was held way back in 1980' he added Standing on eight acres of beautiful landscaped land overlooking the golden beach of Hambantota, the hotel takes pride in providing exceptional service.

The hotel offers 112 well furnished rooms with air-conditioning, bath shower, telephone, radio, private balcony with direct sea view and has cable television and hot and cold water. The hotel also has a large pool and a separate kiddies pool.‘Whether guests are in for a quiet holiday or a wild adventure, the hotel is capable of serving them accordingly' said Damith Fernando, the Executive Chef of the hotel.

The hotel has three specialized restaurants. Monara, Werala and Lihiniya. Monara is the main restaurant with dazzling décor and lively atmosphere. Werala is the speciality sea food restaurant and Lihiniya is for cool, casual comfort of a delightful coffee shop and bar with a calypso band to set the real holiday mood.

The hotel also organizes day excursions to Yala, Bundala, Uda Walawe, Weerawila, Rekawa, Ussangoda and to Kataragama shrine. Special open roof, double-decker bus and Self-drive mini cars are some of the biggest attractions of the hotel.

The Hotel also has the largest conference Hall in the District and provides modern conference facilities to many organizations based in the District and from Colombo business circles. 'Weddings and other Corporate functions are other areas we are concentrating on' he added.