Anantara opens in Kalutara amidst Bawa ambience
Hemas Leisure that recently opened Anantara Resorts in Kalutara together with Minor International is currently working on establishing two more new brands under the global hotel chain.
This latest hotel unique in its architecture is one of the last experiments of renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa and plans are underway for a long term vision to construct about 8-10 Anantara and Avani-branded hotels in the country, explained Hemas Holdings Group Director Abbas Esufally said in an interview with the Business Times on Wednesday.
Plans in the leisure sector for Hemas would be to have a differentiated product venturing into other sectors of the industry and more properties.
He noted that the construction of the hotel (under another owner) whose architect was Mr. Bawa stopped halfway in 1996 when the Sri Lankan Central Bank got bombed as there were fewer investors coming in at the time following the terrorist attack.
The landscape then changed after the tsunami struck the country in December 2004 and later in 2006 both Hemas and Minor International bought the hotel which is considered as probably the oldest hotel that Mr. Bawa had “re-positioned.”
Mr. Esufally also explained that the building in itself is unique due to its design of services, staff and guests on three different levels without either of them meeting and it also has one of the largest single roofs. Hemas is currently working on turning around the hotel to become a sought after location to admire and study the works of architects and specifically Geoffrey Bawa with a number of his works and drawings set to be displayed around the facility.
In addition, it was pointed out that they would be establishing a library with reference material for discerning visitors with a penchant for architecture to sit in this place in Kalutara set to become a study centre for design, arts and architecture.
The hotel comprises 141 rooms, villas and suites with a view to the Indian ocean and the Kalu Ganga river. Anantara Kalutara has three restaurants, spa, retail village offering a variety of local artifacts and displays food unique to the area and has a special welcome and farewell ceremony for guests staying over.