GUSR : Luxury in the wild
A decade ago Udawalawe was not a major tourist attraction. But with the end of thirty year war in 2009, the popularity of Udawalwe National Park has increased rapidly and it have named one of the popular travel destinations for nature and wildlife lovers. Apart from Yala, Bundala and Minneriya, Uda Walawe National Park and ‘Ath Athuru Sevena’ draw a major attraction for Sri Lankan Elephants and important habitat for water birds.
Though it is nearly 160kms away from the city, it is the most easily accessible National Park in Sri Lanka. Situated just ten minutes drive away from the Park, Grand Udawalwe Safari Resort (GUSR) is the only star class hotel with posh 79 rooms in the area. Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort was initially opened in October 2012 as a 57 room luxury resort. Much projected second phase of GUSR with 22 Grand Suites was opened on 29th November 2015. All the grand suites in the new wing consist of elevated bed room, luxury living room and a bath with all modern amenities.
Having officially awarded the Four Star category last year, GUSR is already planned the latest expansion project.
‘Even though we have planned third wing with an addition of new wing with eco-friendly rooms as well as a modern spa, it is now on hold due to the situation of the country. But we are optimistic that the situation will improve towards the latter part of the year’ explained Chandana Pathma Kumara, the Director Operations and Finance of the property.
‘Currently, GUSR is one of the biggest resorts in the Sabaragamuwa Province. The banquet facility itself is the largest in the Province. 600 pax can be accommodated at the two banquet halls’ explained Chandana.
All luxury rooms in the new Villas are equipped with modern amenities such as LED TV, IDD facilities, mini bar, hot and cold running water, tea/ coffee making facilities, Wi Fi connection, safety lockers and the open Private Terrace. Located just 45 minutes away from Rajapaksa International Airport in Mattala and just 30 minutes from the Suriyawewa International Cricket Stadium, Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort Hotel, is the first four star hotel in the area with 79 rooms including 22 new luxury villas, four suites, 24 deluxe and 29 superior rooms.
The second wing was built in a separated jungle area with no disturbance to its guests.
‘This is strictly for the relaxing guests and we always keep this area out of bounds for the outsiders’ Chandana said.
The old wing of the GUSR has 57 modernly designed rooms inclusive of four suites. The resort was designed by architect Muditha Jayakody, and the old 57 rooms are divided into three wings. Forest wing and Pool wing was naturally separated from the Stream wing by ‘Malabotu Ela’, a small stream off the Walawe River.
‘Stream wing consists of the main restaurant, banquet hall and bar areas, which is considered more noisy areas. The rooms and the pool are separately kept from natural stream and kept without much noise to give visitors a relaxing environment’ Chandana explained.
For dining purposes, the Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort has a coffee shop named ‘Monara,’ the open air main restaurant with a capacity of hosting 250 pax, A/c dining area, and two bars – ‘Ath Gala’ and ‘Ali Mankada’.
A mini theatre is also in place for tourists seeking leisure along with a large open air theatre ‘Una Sevana’ designed in a similar pattern to the open air theatre ‘Wala” of the Peradeniya University.
‘GUSR also has a main kitchen catering to the restaurants, a satellite kitchen catering to the pool bar, and a banquet kitchen in the upper floor catering to the banquet hall. We have two executive chefs- Ajith Kumara and Anura Wijesuriya capable of preparing any kind of dish from around the world’ Chandana added.
The resort has been designed to conserve the environment with water and waste recycling being inserted into the system and the construction work being done around nature without felling a single tree during the process. The very first bio gas project in Sri Lanka is completed recently.
However, the resort boasts the latest technologies on the property with a state-of-the-art business centre, gymnasium, specially-designed swimming pool with adjoining bar, 200 pax conference hall, and 400 pax banquet hall and a Mini-Theatre.
Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort (GUSR) is just half a km away from the popular ‘Ath Athuru Sevana’ (Elephant transit camp), and five minutes drive from the Uda Walawe National Park. Ridiyagama Safari Park, Popular Maduwanwala Walawwa is just 40 minutes away from the Resort. Sankapala, Madunagala Hot water spring and Katuwana Dutch Fort are just 30-40 minutes away from the Resort. Yala, Kataragama, Situlpawwa, Kirinda and Kiriwehera are over two hours drive from the Hotel.
The current room rates for GUSR range from Rs 23,000/-DFB to 29,500/-TFB. A grand 40% discount is now on for Sri Lankan travellers.
For more details, call 0472232000, 0703998181, 0777354377 or log onto www.grandudawalawesafari.com
Pix by Shan Bandu Weerasinghe