Palm
Village Hotel targets MICE market
By Sanath Weerasuriya
Uswetakeiyawa is the most closest and the mostbeautiful beach stretch
close to the city of Colombo. Palm Village Hotel is the largest
property in the area and it lies across the popular Dutch canal.
That was once the sole route to Colombo and Negombo and beyond on
the other side.
Palm
Village Hotel is situated in Uswetikeiyawa on the old Colombo road,
just 25 minutes drive away from the hazzle and dazzle of the commercial
capital.
Amidst the palm groves, lounging under swaying palms, shaded from
the tropical heat and fanned by the ocean breeze, Palm Village is
located in four acre landscaped gardens with all modern star class
facilities.
This
23 year old hotel was under a major refurbishment project of 20
million rupees and was re-opened on 1 August. ‘It was taken
over by McLarens Hotel Management Company in the latter part of
2004 and decided to go for this refurbishment programme’ he
added. The Hotel is now owned and managed by McLarens Hotel Management
Company.
The
hotel offers fifty air conditioned rooms with balcony or terrace
overlooking the Indian Ocean. ‘Palm Village Hotel is one of
the very few beach hotels that have escaped from the December tsunami.
We were not affected by the tsunami and the dull period was used
for the refurbishment programme’ said Laksitha Wegodapola,
the General Manager of the Hotel.
Hot
and cold water, telephone, mini bar, cable TV, piped music and new
décor are some of the facilities included in all 50 rooms.
Services at the hotel include restaurant / bar facility, evening
entertainment, business centre, beach snack bar overlooking the
Indian Ocean.
‘We
have theme nights spread across the week - Italian, Chinese, Eastern,
Sri Lankan, Indian, Mongolian and BBQ are the top attractions at
the hotel’ Wegodapola said. Laksitha Wegodapola pointed out,
since lately; the Palm Village Hotel has become very popular as
a conference venue.
‘Conferences,
seminars or workshops are becoming fast growing business as the
ho cated 25 minutes north of Colombo. It is in a holiday atmosphere
yet close to business in Colombo. More and more corporate clientele
and NGOs are getting attracted to this place. Though the hotel is
23 years old it has not attracted much as a destination. But with
the new management the business is growing fast’ he said.
Apart
from the MICE market, overseas travellers and Sri Lankan clientele
make the place more lively. ‘Especially Sri Lanka guests for
weekends and on Sunday keeps the hotel a hive of activity. Our Sunday
buffet is one of the most popular attractions in the area.’
Laksitha said.
Sports
and leisure are the other attractions. Outdoor swimming pool, badminton,
table tennis, indoor games, soft animation, tennis, volleyball are
favourites among Sri Lankans. ‘I am keen on promoting tennis
as this is the only court that is available in the area. We are
planning to open a tennis club soon, he added.
‘Excursions
are too on the cards and it could be arranged for groups on request.’
‘Muturajawela Bird Sanctuary - a guided boat tour through
different ecological settings of a marsh, bird sanctuary and lagoon
is a popular excursion among overseas travellers. Experience the
rustle of the wind in one of the widest natural environments of
tropical bird life and a rare mangrove eco-system’ he added.
‘A
distillery tour- A truly Sri Lankan distillery processing coconut
flower sap into fine spirits. Colombo City tour is much popular
with foreigners - They want to travel through an Asian city and
experience a vast diversity of events, locations and shopping. Night
city tours with sight - seeing can also be arranged’ he said.
|