‘Michelle ma belle’
View(s):By Shaveen Jeewandara
The view that greets us as soon as we walk past the lobby takes our breath away. The wooden floorboards of the terrace are set aganist the plain backdrop of the vast blue ocean, as the horizon beams at you like an infinite straight line denoting perfection. If first impressions count, then ‘Michelle’ the latest boutique hotel to spring up down-south, is a sweetheart right from your first step set inside.
Understated elegance: A bedroom (above) and the deck
The gleaming white interior sets the theme for the hotel – simple but elegant. Located in Balapitiya, just an hour’s drive on the Southern expressway, ‘Michelle’ is a resort with a different touch. The objective of the team at Michelle Holdings was to create a hotel that would complement the natural beauty of the coastline while providing high-end facilities and unparalleled privacy to its guests.
What has emerged is a well-designed maze of suites, 16 of them, each refined by a matchless view of the ocean and different design.
The suites are divided into seven ‘Rose Petals’, seven ‘Deluxes’, one ‘Super Deluxe’ and the ‘Infinite’. The Rose Petal suites come with three options, either a spa-bath, plunge pool or a bath tub. The ambience in each suite is relaxing and well-lit, with perfect views of the horizon. “The new age guest prefers a quiet holiday and not so much of a busy itinerary,” says Ranjaka De Mel, Managing Director of Michelle Holdings adding that this is why Michelle adds a sense of privacy and personalised services to keep in tune with the trend. Mr. de Mel, vastly experienced in the hotel industry oversees the project and has added his wealth of professionalism right from the tiny details to the larger picture.
The suites are packed with luxury features, ranging from En Suite Dining, to private terraces, Smart TV, to Home Theatre Systems and even an LED Torch. There is even a pillow menu to chose from that includes; neck pillows, organic and micro-gel pillows – speaking of the lengths they have gone to to customise the guest experience. “We didn’t want to take any shortcuts. The opening itself was delayed because we wanted to ensure that everything was in place and all the finer details were looked into,” Mr. de Mel adds.
The ‘Infinite’ is the flagship suite of the hotel and is clearly a cut above the rest, but perfection comes with a hefty price tag. It’s a bit of ancient Mesopotamia, and a bit of Egypt infused with a colonial touch yet delightfully modern at the same time. Special features include personal butler service, larger dining and living area, pantry and kitchenette, two Smart TVs and a large plunge pool on the outer terrace. Taking the suite experience to a whole new level, ‘Infinite’ defines luxury.
Occupying 1650 sq feet, there’s enough of ‘Infinite’ to call it a world apart. The plunge pool is fitted with fibre-optic lights that create a beautiful setting at night.
The interior design of the hotel was done by Nayantara Fonseka, of Synergo
Consultants and she has ensured that the simple elegance is seen with every aspect. The halls and suites are gleaming white while the lobby area is embroidered with miniature seashells, adding a texture that acknowledges the panoramic view of the ocean. “It’s like bringing the beach into the hotel,” Mr. De Mel says. However that may not even seem a necessity with the sea at such close range.
Another highlight of ‘Michelle’ is the dining experience. Dining at Le Gourmand is a gastronomic joyride with Head Chef Dinesh Kuma. “We do not have set times, the guest can have their meals at any time of the day and they have the option to customise the menu to their own needs,” adds Mr. Rafeek, the resident manager. It must be noted that there are no buffets at ‘Michelle’. “Guests are sick and tired of buffets. There is a paradigm shift towards a personalised experience and that is what we cater to,” he adds. “ It’s the finer things that set Michelle apart from other boutique hotels.”
Le Mirage the hotel’s bar that goes hand in hand with its restaurant serving customised cocktails and drinks, and located at a viewpoint with the waves breaking in the distance. The hotel has its own ‘Ariyanna’ spa with Balinese therapists along with a fully equipped gymnasium.
The Rs. 500 million Michelle Boutique concept was the brainchild of Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, the Chairman of Michelle Holdings and he takes great pride in the way things have materialized .
Visit www.michelleboutiquehotel.com, or email secretary@michellebeach.com for more details. Tel: 0115662277.
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