Base for excursions

Nestled at the foothills of popular Udawatta Kele, just on a higher elevation to the Dalada Maligawa, Hotel Thilanka reflects the typical Kandyan traditions.

Over looking the city of Kandy and the Lake, Thilanka has well appointed 87 standard and deluxe rooms. This four star hotel has gone through a massive refurbishing programme during the past few months, which makes the complete face lift to the hotel.

According to Gamini Gunawardena, the Managing Director of the hotel, Rupees 30 to 35 million was spent on upgrading 30 rooms.

'The old wing is totally refurbished and currently completing the rest including ten balance rooms, coffee shop and the public area' he said

'We simply do not close the entire hotel for this project. We have maintained our occupancy rate at very healthy level during the past few months and we do not want stop this momento. So we go on step by step refurbishing programme and it will be ready for the coming winter season' he explained.

Bathiya Gunasekera, the General Manager of the hotel said most of the top travel agents are working with them and they stick to them for various reasons.

They always come back for us because we have some extra points such as close approximate to Maligawa, City, Udawatta Kele and of course the service' he said.

It began life as a private house, built by a wealthy Kandyan towards the end of the colonial era. It has now been enhanced by a six-storey new wing, the minimalist décor of the rooms including elegant wooden furniture, television, telephone and mini-bar with all other facilities.

Hotels main restaurant serves menus around the world. Traditional Kandyan dishes are favourites among Sri Lankan cuisine. Continental, Chinese, Indian and Japanese food is popular with Sri Lankan and foreign travellers. Lobby Bar and Woodpecker Bar are two top attractions.

Thilanka overlooking the picturesque view of the Kandy Lake, giant Bahirawakande seated Buddha statue, is the ideal base for excursions and relaxation.

'We arrange tours to various places of tourist attractions such as Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya, Aluvihare, Lankatillake and Embakke Temples of Cultural and artistic value' GM Gunasekera said.

The banquet hall is one of the biggest revenue earners of the hotel, which can accommodate for 400 persons. The Board Room is air conditioned with seating capacity for 50 persons, with all convention and banqueting .

The major attraction of the hotel is its Ayurvedic Spa.

The ancient healing arts of the Himalayan Rishis are to savour at our 'Ayurvedic Spa. Like the Nawaratna - the nine precious stones that make up one ring of protection, power and lasting health, our Spa offers the herbal secrets to fitness, wellbeing and regeneration' GM Bathya said.

Massages, sauna and herbal baths, facial treatments, yoga sessions, medicinal oils, the wonder of floral ingredients, the help of facial packs, toning, and cleansing are some of the treatments available at the Hotel.