Plus

There are many places that can arouse the senses. Some places may even enliven the intellect. But only a few can draw the soul into the experience. Aditya, Sri Lanka’s latest boutique hotel, professes its capability in ‘the seduction of the soul’.

Completed early this year, the hotel sits on a secluded stretch of beach in Rathgama, between Hikkaduwa and Galle.

“A high-end luxury experience catering to an up-market clientele and yet at the same time providing privacy in a secluded setting is what Aditya has as its objective. We see a current dearth of private getaways and Aditya hopes to fill this need. We also want to attract those who may want to celebrate an important and special occasion in life, be it a wedding, anniversary, or honeymoon. Romance and Aditya are inseparable,” says Managing Director, Hussein Dawoodbhoy.

What strikes a visitor no sooner one sets foot in Aditya is its homely ambience. “The idea was to make the visitor feel like at home. A mansion with big ‘rooms’ (in this case ‘suites’) each having a character of its own,” says Pat Mamelka, Aditya’s Canadian interior designer who has been in the field for over 25 years.

Seeing Pat running around the halls and corridors touching up corners and attending to details, adding something here and shifting something there, one relates very much to how one would work on the beauty and presentation of one’s own home.

Aditya comprises twelve suites. There are five Shanthi (Garden) Suites, six Sagara (Ocean) Suites and the grand two-storey Surya Suite.

The Garden Suites boast of spacious verandas that open on to private gardens, each of which is designed for the respective suite.

The Ocean Suites have magnificent ocean vistas and the grand suite has a two-storey penthouse with a vast open air-terrace offering a panoramic view of the sea. Another unparalleled feature of the grand suite is its private sundeck, which is also housed on the open-air terrace.

A couple of the Garden Suites are often sought after by honeymooners, who may enjoy the thrill of ‘sleeping under the stars’ in their very own room. The effect of the stars and the Milky Way on the ceiling is created with special lighting and paint masterly crafted to set the mood for those sentimental occasions.

Although being of international standards and having artifacts and concepts from different continents, Aditya’s Sri Lankan flavour comes through very strongly. “It has been quite a challenge having objects d’art and exotic antiques from the subcontinent and the Far East and to still maintain a Sri Lankan touch at every turn,” Pat explains. She goes further to stress the importance for a hotel to give foreigners, who may not have time to travel all over the island, a peek into Sri Lankan art and culture within the hotel itself.’

“Individuality, originality and exclusivity being very strong driving forces to the whole concept of Aditya, we give guests an opportunity to taste our very own in-house creations of chocolates, pastries, jams. We even make our own soaps, shampoos and many other amenities. A designer-touch permeates all departments at Aditya,” explain the Co-Managers, Neomal Jinadasa and Shamindra Fernando.

At Aditya, there are no fixed timings for meals. “The dining room can be anywhere the guest chooses, in the garden, on the beach, or even in the hallway. ‘Breakfast at 6 p.m. is possible at Aditya!’ explains Neomal emphasizing the unconventional service and new standards in personalized attention.

Apart from rest and relaxation, there is also scope for rejuvenation. There is an expansive pool and a long secluded stretch of beach, together with a high tech gym and yoga room. For intellectual stimulation there is a library. The en-suite spa service brings in expert practitioners to take away one’s stress and fatigue in comfort and privacy. There is also a Mini Moke available to drive around and see the attractions that surround the hotel.

On offer to guests are also courses on divergent subjects ranging from Sri Lankan cookery, jaggery-making, to Sri Lankan arts and handicrafts.