La Serena, Lanka’s first resort retirement home
“La Serena” a fully serviced 44-unit facility billed as the country’s first retirement resort has been set up at Uswetakeiyawa.
This medium-sized resort is designed for those in search of community living and ‘a resort that’s home’, says its promoter Ceylinco Life.
With in-depth knowledge of the social needs generated by Sri Lanka’s rapidly ageing population, the company was looking to provide a solution to mitigate the dependency culture the ageing population faces. The initiative had been worked on for 10 years, the management revealed at a news conference held at the resort.
“We see this retirement resort catering to the needs of several customer segments,” said Ceylinco Life Managing Director/ CEO R. Renganathan adding that La Serena is aimed at newly retired or semi-retired men and women with a source of income (such as investments, consultancies or freelance work etc.) who enjoy their independence and are reasonably active in the community. The resort is for individuals who are looking for an ambience similar to that of a hotel and who do not wish to be burdened with managing and maintaining their own homes and the chores of day to day living.
An initiative that is already operating in many parts of the world, retirement facilities are a new concept in Sri Lanka. “La Serena caters to a segment that is looking for the perfect mix of privacy and companionship in an extremely convenient environment that facilitates an active and healthy retirement,” the CEO said.
Occupying almost three acres of scenic beachfront land at Uswetakeiyawa (14 km north of Colombo), the resort comprises 28 single bedroom units and 16 two bedroom units, all units self-contained and fully furnished and air conditioned.
Equipped with serviced living units the resort facilities will be offered on long, short term rent or trial stay.
The facilities are also available at a daily rental for short stays or at a monthly rental for stays of a year or more. Meals are available at the restaurant for those who do not wish to prepare their own.
Each unit’s electricity supply and the TV can also be operated through the “Smart Home System” a new initiative the company introduced. The resort has common recreation facilities including a swimming pool, mini gym, restaurant, library and reading room, entertainment lounge and beach terrace. A guest house is also included within the complex with four rooms available for daily rental by family members visiting La Serena’s residents.
La Serena may also be the solution for young adults searching for a secure, well managed environment for parents, company officials said.
La Serena is managed by Serene Resorts Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ceylinco Life.