Mirage Kings Cottage
Pix by Neil Siriweera
Nuwara Eliya is experiencing the real European winter season with intense cold climatic conditions after many years. With the temperature going down to just 3 degree Celsius, ‘Little England’ attracts not only a large number of foreign tourists, but many Sri Lankans, who love to experience the English winter in Sri Lanka.
Located at an altitude over 6,200 feet, Nuwara Eliya, a plateau on the hills developed by early British settlers as a country’s premier holiday resort, is now ready for holiday makers not only in April but throughout the year.
Embarked on the burgeoning hospitality industry in Sri Lanka, ‘Mirage Kings Cottage’ is the latest venture into the fast growing high-ended resort sector in Nuwara Eliya.
Located on a two acre plot of land, overlooking the placid waters of Lake Gregory and surrounded by the lush greenery of the Galway Forest, with gardens dotted with Cypress trees and decorated by exotic flowering flora, ‘Mirage Kings Cottage’ offers holiday makers an exclusive holiday experience.
It is a rustic over a 100 year old Colonial building that was once owned by F. R. Senanayake the brother of D. S. Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of Independent Ceylon.
‘Mirage Kings Cottage’ is an authentic Sri Lankan up-market Heritage Bungalow which was originally built over a century ago has undergone a fully transformation and renovations to suite the modern era. It has now been transformed to a true Sri Lankan up-market ‘heritage bungalow’ and conceptualised according to the British Colonial era with the intention of providing the same experience that was available during the British monarchy.
‘The new Mirage management hasn’t made any structural changes to the Bungalow, but replacing the old apparatus with all modern international standards. The cosy and comfortable ‘Mirage Kings Cottage’ is now a upmarket boutique Bungalow, an ideal retreat for those looking for an idyllic cool holiday away from the hustle and the bustle of the city’ said Sanjeevani Gamage, the Resident Manager of the Bungalow.
Opened in December, Mirage Bungalow boasts of five large elegantly furnished double rooms, two suites, one quadruple and three spacious family rooms displaying old Colonial charm and elegance. All rooms are tastefully furnished with all the modern conveniences such as attached bathrooms, hot and cold water, electric heaters, satellite TV, mini bar, safety lockers, intercom telephones, tea/coffee making facilities and free Wi-Fi
This Cottage features a modern looking cosy restaurant seats up to 20 pax serving authentic Sri Lankan cuisine.
Nevertheless the food at the Cottage is not that great as projected, the guests could still enjoy a homely meal for dinner and lunch at this lovely cosy restaurant served single handedly by young Mark Jayawardena.
‘Most of the guests set their choice on Sri Lankan meals. For overseas guests we always serve Continental or Western cuisine with English breakfast. But Western, Italian, Indian and Chinese dishes too are popular with our visitors’ RM Gamage added.
Organic and fresh vegetables picked from its garden are used as much as possible when preparing the meals for guests. ‘Mirage Kings Cottage’ offers well-equipped BBQ facilities and, children’s park at the garden.
‘The management would organise BBQs on request. We have an open space in the large garden allows outdoor al fresco dining as well’ she said.
Excursions could be organised to Horton Plains, Hakgala Gardens and a number of other historical, religious and tourist sites from the Bungalow on request, Ronald Perera, the Group CEO said.
Moon Plains, World’s End, Galway Forest Reserve, Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, Lovers Leap, Piduruthalagala, Seetha Amman, Kovil, Sri Baktha Hanuman Kovil and seasonal horse racing are some of the popular attractions.
Nature and eco tourism is not a new to Nuwara Eliya. Mountains, waterfalls and forests are part of this colonial ‘garden city’. The Galway Forest is the closest nature reserve to ‘Mirage Kings Bungalow’.
‘To maintain the same uncompromising commitment to the highest standards of business ethics that has sustained the good name of this property and to become the preferred destination in Hill Country is our main aim’ Ronald added.
Mirage Group of hotels considt of Mirage Colombo and Mirage Kings Cottege, managed by the Chairman Prabaqth Fonseka.
| The room rates for the ‘Mirage Cottage’ range from Rs 17,700/- (BBD) to Rs 23,000/- (FBD). |
| For more details, contact 0522222102/7, 0112360660 or log onto www.miragekingscottage.com MIRAGE KINGS COTTAGE No 111, Havelock Drive, Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka. |