TV Times

TV Times

‘Green Forest Villa’: Luxury blends with nature
By Sanath Weerasuriya
Nuwara Eliya seems to be the most attracted holiday destination for the Sri Lankan travellers. Apart from the overseas tourists, according to the statistics, over one million local travellers visit Nuwara Eliya annually.
This 'Garden City' is expanding in building new structures at a rate towards accommodating tourist inflow, both local and foreign.

The latest addition to the hospitality industry is 'Green Forest Villa'.
'Green Forest Villa' is a modern holiday bungalow located just 4.5 kms away from the city centre in Katumanna in Welimada Road. It is set amidst the lush green hills of Nuwara Eliya and in- between the famous Hakkgala Botanical Gardens.

Over looking Lake Gregory, the Bungalow in a 40 perch vegetation land, has a unique view over the city from the Mahagastota hill. 'Green Forest Villa', which is just eight months old, has five double rooms with all modern facilities.

'We have three rooms on upper level as a separate unit and two on ground floor. We generally let the whole bungalow out for family group or a pack during the weekends. But upper unit or ground floor rooms may be given to individuals during the weekdays. That does also depend on the availability' said Roshan Wijesinghe, the MD of 'Green Forest Villa'.

The bungalow can be accommodated up to 14 pax including children. Two sitting areas and the TV lobby, apart from the room TV and the dining facilities on both level, Hot and cold water, heaters, telephone make 'Green Forest Villa' an attraction for the higher end of the market.

The project 'Green Forest Villa' is an investment of Rs.10 million. This project is a joint venture of Roshan and his brother Shiran Wijesinghe and the proprietors are planning to add more facilities to the bungalow to attract the upper market segment.

'We project 'Green Forest Villa' as an up market property and Sri Lankans in this category will be given the first preferences. The foreign clientele too will be looked after but I always address the high spending Lankan travellers. We already have a steady repeat clientele and hope to expand the visitor base' Roshan said.

The other attraction of the place is the bungalow operates as the centre for excursions. The visitors to Nuwara Eliya are very keen on excursions and we can arrange these trips on request. Piduruthalagala, Hakkgala, lovers leap, and the surrounding jungle, Murray Lake, Seetha Amman Kovil, Horton Plains, World's End, Kandapola and number of water falls are some of the top attractions.

When it comes to food, 'Green Forest Villa' will be the place to remember. Sri Lankan dishes, with traditional touch, Western and Eastern cuisine along with Indian and Chinese food are popular among the guests.

The caretaker of the Bungalow, Murali and his two assistants are always at the guest's service and the barometer of their service is the 'guest's book', which has a special mention on Murali always.

'The Bungalow has a set menu or the guest can order from the a'la carte. The clients can bring their provisions of their choice and the kitchen is always ready to prepare according to their choice' he added.

'Green Forest Villa', the whole bungalow is priced at Rs.15.000/- per day on non-seasonal weekends and for the season it will be high as Rs.25,000/-. During the weekdays, single room will be given at Rs.2500/-. The expansion of the project will also now on the cards. 'Hopefully it will be another set of modern rooms but it has not been finalized' Roshan said.

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