Double bash for Oriflame

Palm Village Hotel in Uswetakeiyawa is the largest property in the area and it lies close to the popular Dutch canal. That was once the sole route to Colombo and Negombo and beyond on the other side.

Uswetakeiyawa is the closest and the most beautiful beach stretch close to the city of Colombo. Being very close to the city, the hotel has managed to attract the corporate conferences and seminars, since lately.

Palm Village Hotel is 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.

'We have been doing considerably good business with conferences and seminars as we are at very short drive to the capital. Also the hotel has the capabilities in hosting conferences and seminars for larger numbers' said Laksitha Wegodapola, the General Manager of the Hotel.

This 23 year old hotel was re-opened on 1 August 2005 after a major refurbishment programma. The Hotel is now owned and managed by McLarens Hotel Management Company.

'Conferences, seminars or workshops are becoming fast growing business for the hotel. 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 added.

'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' Mr. Wegodapola said 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 had escaped from the December 2004 tsunami.

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.

According to him, more and more corporate clientele and NGOs are getting attracted to this place. Apart from the MICE market, overseas travellers and Sri Lankan clientele make the place livelier. 'Especially Sri Lanka guests for weekends and on Sunday keep 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. 'Excursions are too on the cards and it could be arranged for groups on request.' He said.

'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 is a new thing for a hotel. But we can arrange this to experience a truly Sri Lankan distillery processing coconut flower sap into fine spirits' Laksitha said.

By Sanath Weerasuriya.