Haven in the hills

Gampola being an ancient city and by gone days it was known as Gangasiripura (Town with river beauty). Gampola is almost as important as Kandy. Being a popular tourist destination, Kandy has many hotels catering to up market clientele and also for various walks of life. But leaving Kandy on the Gampola-Nuwara Eliya Road, there are no top hotels till you reach Nuwara Eliya.

Newly constructed Bin Vino in Gampola has managed to fill the long felt need in Gampola for good banquet and top holiday destination. This 25 roomed small luxury hotel is located in the ancient city of Gangasiripura (Town with river beauty) or Gampola, as it is known today, 13km off Kandy and 120km from Colombo on the Gampola - Nuwara Eliya road.

It sits all by itself on the summit of a single mountain off the new Nuwara Eliya, Doluwa Road over-looking the vast expanse of the Dumbara valley with a view of Sri Pada, Utuwankanda in Mawenella and a close view of the Ambuluwawa Peace Monument which sits atop of the neighbouring Ambuluwawa mountain.

This newest small luxury property consisting of 25 well appointed rooms including the suite room 'Saradiel' overlooking mount Uthuwankanda. Allrooms are with a mini bar, DVD player, TV and tea-coffee making facility, opens up onto balconies, giving the guests a view of all the above mountainous sights in 360 degree unparalleled picturesque view.

Managed by TASK Leisure and Boutique Hotels Limited, Bin Vino is an ideal destination for honeymooners. 'Our hotel is a perfect honeymoon destination. Family outing place or for a busy corporate client is the ideal haven' said A. L. G Leuke, the Chairman of the Sevena Group of Companies, the owning company of the hotel.

'Every room is entitled to its' very own panorama, overlooking Dumbara Valley. Also we specialize on personalized services catering to individual choice' he added. Bin-Vino is an ideal setting for weddings and private parities, corporate functions and other gigs.

'I think we are filling the vacuum in Gampola for a good quality banquet. The hotel is getting popular for weddings in the area and even the clients from Kandy' Mr Leuke said. Bin Vino is also a popular place for its culinary experience.

With the culinary department coming under the much experienced Chef- Manager Seneviratne Banda Wijesinghe and Food and Beverage Manager Gerrard Perera, it is evident that things cannot go wrong in a hurry at all. The food served, both eastern and western, is prepared with utmost care maintaining the best of hygienic standards.

The Mountbatten Restaurant and Dumbara Restaurant are well known for their mouth-watering savoury foods. 'A la carte or set menu's offered by our well qualified cooks and a specious restaurant offer a stunning view of Dumbara Valley' said Seneviratne Banda.

Since its inception six moths ago, the hotel has become a popular place with honeymooners who can enjoy the privileges of a special package all year round and a special offer that is currently on for this season for groups and families. Bin-Vino is a place surrounded by extra doses of serenity and privacy which many other hotels in the Central Province lacks. It is a brand new architect built property and offers the best for the guests to experience and revere for sometime amidst their travel and holiday experiences. Historic places of archaeological value such as Lankathilake, Ambakka and Gadaladeniya are in close proximity to hotel. The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, old Muslim Mosque and the Pinnawala elephant Orphanage are some of the popular places to explore.

The hotel is an ideal location for adventure seekers too, who enjoy Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing or Nature Trekking which is ideal with the presence of a large number of birds in the vicinity. The hotel is managed by Tasks Leisure which can be contacted on www.bin-vino.com