TV Times

TV Times

New leaf of Serendib
By Sanath Weerasuriya
Hotel Serendib ,one of the pioneering hotel projects on the golden beach of Bentota, , threw open its doors September 1 to welcome its first set guests following a four-month period of reconstruction and refurbishment.

Under the repositioning programme of the hotel, the main bar will be relocated at the northern part of the hotel. A part of the new bar will be airconditioned, while the other part will be an open sky, where guests could sit overlooking both the pool and the beach with a spectacular view.

The project so far has cost Rs. 60 million. This was revealed by Abbas N. Esufally, Chairman of Serendib Leisure, at the special press conference held at the hotel last Saturday. The hotel, originally created by late Geoff Bawa. The new designs on restructuring was done by Architect Channa Daswatte, an ardent pupil of late Bawa.

According to Chari Withanarachchi, there will be new additions to the hotel under this new expansion programme. An Ayurvedic Centre and Spa & Health Centre would be the main attractions of the hotel and the managemnet is keen to see this too will be in operation before the Winter Season starts.

With the impending resurgence of the tourist industry in August last year, the Board of Directors of the hotel felt the time was correct to uplift, revitalized and re-establish this hotel to its rightful place in the tourism industry. Serendib is one of Geoffrey Bawa’s original creations.

Under the right direction of Channa Daswatte, the arrival and reception area has been completely opened out, so that one enters a centre courtyard with a pond.
The reception counter itself has been re-located, and is a simple, open type counter allowing direct interaction with arriving guests.

The restaurant has been re-decorated with new lighting and a colour scheme and mirrors have been carefully introduced to give a feeling of depth to the restaurant.

All the bathrooms have been completely re-designed, including new tiling, fittings and shower cubicles. The soft furnishing in the rooms have also been re-designed with a new colour scheme. The pool area and deck have been re-laid with new lie-lows and beach umbrellas.

While the refurbishment was on, an extensive full-time staff-training programme was conducted within the hotel premises, for all the staff members of different grades.

With these practical and theoretical inputs, the hotel will endeavour to deliver superior service to match the ‘new look’ Serendib. The idea to re-emphasise the original architecture was felt as an important aspect of the refurbishing process. Many still marvel at Hotel Serendib as Bawa’s first hotel creation and it is unique to every other hotel that has been built since.

The long sloping roofs, the inner courtyards and the verandah, all give a feel of the Dutch era in Sri Lanka. The re-launched Hotel Serendib is aimed at providing entertainment to the whole family, further reiterating its position as a family hotel. While guests relax, the chief animator and his team at the hotel will provide entertainment to the children throughout the day.

Children will have access to computer games, VCD cartoons, board games (such as Monopoly, UNO, Dominos, Guess Who, Scrabble, and Tangled Up), Internet facilities, Cable TV and Karaoke, to keep them entertained while guests relax enjoying the sun and sea and everything that Hotel Serendib has to offer.

The hotel boasts some of the largest room balconies, which can be the ideal setting for a romantic dinner for two, breakfast or just to sip champagne while watching the sunset. On request the hotel Chef will ensure that dinner for two on the beach will tantalise the guests’ taste buds and the peace and tranquillity of the romantic setting will complement their other senses.

The Tarshish restaurant, with Roman blinds, dimmer-controlled lights, candlelight and a solo flutist may be just what the doctor ordered. The newly equipped kitchen is ready to produce a variety of dishes to suit the mood.

Hotel Serendib offers unparalleled facilities for a honeymoon or a family holiday.
“Horse-riding on the beach too is available for those who are looking for an activity filled holiday. The horses are not only fully insured but also medically certified,’ said GM Withanarachchi.

Participate in sporting activities like wave boarding, surfing, wind surfing (during season) and stunt kite flying. Water sports and diving lessons will be arranged on request.

Exciting excursions in and around Bentota too will also now be available. “Boat excursions, Bewis Bawa’s Brief Garden, the mangroves of Bentota and the turtle hatchery are some of the interesting excursions to enjoy.” the GM said.

According to the management, Rs. 1.5 million will be invested in kitchen and bar equipment alone. In addition, new signage, glassware, cutlery and crockery will also be introduced before winter 2003. Arrangements are being made to improve staff quarters and changing rooms. An additional cold room is also to be built.

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