• Holiday Village by the 'eigth wonder'

Holiday Village by the 'eigth wonder'

By Sanath Weerasuriya

'Sigiriya', the 'Lion Rock' stands majestically overlooking the luscious green jungle surroundings.

'Sigiriya Village', one of the most popular holiday destinations, located in the vicinity of the Sigiriya rock, is to be declared as the 'eighth wonder' in the world.

The Sigiriya Village Hotel is an ideal family outing venue as it could offer a wide selection for recreation and entertainment for the young and old in well-laid out 26 acres of garden with 120 cottages in three different categories of rooms.

A special feature at Sigiriya Village Hotel is that the windows in the non-airconditioned rooms are meshed whereby one could breathe the fresh air from its surroundings.

All rooms are built in cluster type and have six clusters, namely, King Fisher, Temple, Avurudu, Paddy Field, Ganga Addara and King's Arbour. Each cluster consists of 20 rooms and the decor in the rooms depicts the theme.

"We have interconnecting rooms, where two cottages are combined with an interconnecting door. Both rooms have separate entrances and attached toilet with shower. All rooms are equipped with Hot and Cold Water, Piped Music, Fans, Soft Drink Bar, Telephone etc. Some rooms are equipped with Air-conditioners, King Size Beds and bath tubs. All rooms have private verandhas explained Shiran Gunawardena, the Manager (Marketing and Sales) of the Village.

The lush garden has many endemic plants and is surrounded by the wilderness. Easily any visitor could experience a holiday which is close to nature. The hotel has been declared by many travel magazines as one of the best "eco-friendly" hotels in Sri Lanka.

Families have the advantage of relaxing in a peaceful environment. Especially, children have plenty of entertainment, such as Cycling, Elephant Riding, Trekking, Ducks & Fish Feeding, and also Kiddies Park, and playground.

Birds are in plenty around the hotel garden and arrangements are being made by the hotel for bird lovers to watch them without being disturbed for which special foot paths are being laid out.

Further we have approximately 50 to 60 varieties of birds including migrant birds in the premises," Mr. Gunawrdena added.

Sigiriya Village is surrounded by many places of clutural interest as the hotel is situated in the 'Cultrual Traingle and some of them are Pidurangana Viharaya, Ravana Gardens, Minneriya, Kalawewa Tank, Polonnaruwa etc. Visiting these places with children will be definitely beneficial as this would enable them to enhance their knowledge about Sri Lankan history of the 4th & 5th Century.

The open air Restaurant overlooks the majestic rock fortress and the hotel's swimming pool. A variety of Eastern and Western specialities are served. Most meals are buffet style.

The bar is located in the Lobby and has the same view of the Restaurant.

Entertainment is unlimited depending on the occupancy. Daily evening entertainment include Sri Lankan Classical Music, Cultural Shows, Magic Shows, Calypso Music etc.

In the Weekends a D. J. is there to spin the disc after 10.00 p.m.

"The Pool Hut is very popular among private parties and we arrange special cocktail parties with Sri Lankan classical music. During cocktails we serve Manioc, Fried Wade or Tempered Kadala depending on our clients' requests. Attractive rates are being offered to Sri Lankans being Rs. 2,900+ Taxes for a Double Room on Full Board basis per day. Group rates above 15 persons are negotiable", Shiran Gunawardena said.

Recently the hotel relaid its Clay Top Tennis Court and a Tennis Camp was conducted by a professional living abroad, which was successful. Similarly, there are many inquiries from resident guests to conduct such coaching camps' he said.

The hotel has a very popular Ayurvedic Centre which is very well patronized by foreign and local clients. A qualified Ayurvedic physician is in charge and some of the treatments include Pancha Karma, Pinda Sweda, Herbal and Steam Baths, Head & body massages. He also treats patients depending on the nature of their ailments.

A poultry farm owned and maintained by the hotel is located in the hotel premises and has a capacity of approximately 500 birds . Fresh vegetables are also grown including mushrooms, egg plant, beans etc. Fresh fruits are also available in the hotel premises Mangoes, Papaw, Water Melon etc. The entire produce of this farm is used in the hotel for their guests.

'Jungle expeditions could be arragned to Minneriya Water Tank to see wild elephants. Jungle trekking could be also arranged in Sigiriya area including a bath by their guests.

Their new Sales and Reservation office is now located at 531/1, Sir Baron Jayathilake Mawatha, Colombo 1.

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