Unique allure

When you think of a getaway or a place to relax on your own or with some of your closest friends, or with that special someone, I am assuming that what may first come into mind would be to head down south or to the hills and make that escape. In fact, it would hardly ever cross our minds that this get away might be right here in Colombo.

Hidden away on one of the busiest roads in Colombo, in a quiet, tranquil setting, is one of the most relaxing places, you will come across – Havelock Place Bungalow. As the name suggests, it is situated down Havelock Place, which is just off Havelock Road. Driving down the lane, it is easy to miss the place, as it is perfectly camouflaged with massive trees and plants, and the fact that there is soothing, relaxing music playing, makes the place even harder to pin-point.

In fact, this was exactly what the owners had in mind, when they came up with the idea for the place. Walking in, a smell of aromatic oils, greets you, taking you into a setting you never thought would exist just a few seconds away from the bustle of the streets of Colombo.

Havelock Place Bungalow was initially opened way back in December 1999, and according to Shamala Wijewardane, who owns and runs the place, she said, the idea was that it was meant to be "a residential place," adding, "the restaurant was an afterthought!" The place was initially managed by somebody else but she took it over about five years back.

Interestingly, Shamala is an accountant by profession and has no formal training as a hotelier, and what drew her to the idea, was "just the fact that I love to cook…" she said, and went on to say that she enjoys what she is doing. After all, if work is being able to walk into such a relaxing setting as this, what more could you want! From deciding what goes on the menu, to buying and cooking the food, Shamala sees to it all. She goes through various recipe books to come up with the best combinations for the menus.

The bungalow serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks and desserts and is open from around 7.30am and closes around 10pm. It seems, the place is more or less, "like managing a home on a larger scale," she said, and in keeping with this, even in terms of the food, what is notable is that everything is made freshly at the bungalow, "from breads to biscuits to ice creams, they are all made here," Shamala said.

The "home-made" ice-creams are their speciality, with flavours ranging from Jaggery, Coffee Arrack, Cardamom Honey, Honey and Fig, and Honeycomb, of which the combination of Coffee Arrack and Cardamom Honey, is simply amazing, and is bound to leave you thinking about it, hours after you have tasted it!

Their menu is a la carte and they have a board menu as well, the latter which changes on a daily basis. The set menus consist of a starter, the main course and dessert as well as the option of tea/coffee.

Food aside, Havelock Place Bungalow has seven rooms on offer on either room only, or bed and breakfast basis. Each room is unique and has a Sri Lankan touch. The rooms are furnished with genuine antiques and "the items have been handpicked for the place" said Shamala, adding, "the décor, furniture, lamps etc., are all from Sri Lanka…with very few items are from outside."
The idea is more or less boutique hotel in concept and each of the seven rooms is different from the other and they consist of three suits and four standard rooms out of which the two suits open to the pool and jacuzzi.

The pool is a lap-pool and is only accessible to the residents of the bungalow. There is an inviting lounge area which is only for the bungalow's residents. All the rooms are fully air conditioned and have telephone facilities (Local and IDD), wireless internet as well as laundry service.

The bedroom with an amazing open- air bathroom which caught my eye. Another eye catching feature of the place is the garden, which is maintained by the owner herself, because she loves gardening. The massive bougainvillea and ahala tree gives shade and breeze to the paved outdoor dining area.

The initial idea of having a hotel/restaurant came from Shamala's architect sister. The land was in Shamala's family and consisted of two houses. So her sister suggested the two houses should be put together the two houses together and so, Havelock Place Bungalow was born!

The clientele varies from the expatriate community to businessmen and women as well as tourist, however, the restaurant is generally patronized by couples. Shamala emphasised on the fact that it is a café and not fine-dining. What they want is for people to relax in the informal atmo phere.

The dishes at the restaurant consist of one dish of everything, in terms of different types of meats as each client's preference varies. Shamala has noticed that Sri Lankans like very meaty dishes, and that "there is something for the Sri Lankan palette along with chicken or fish," on the menu, adding that "risotto is a favourite" so it is always on the menu. In terms of beverages there are fresh juices, wines and cocktails.

All this can be enjoyed in either their outdoor or indoor dining area. The relaxed, quiet and soothing estate bungalow atmosphere they maintain is enhanced by the light music which is played. With the restaurant being open for breakfast, it is the perfect start to your day as it is ideal for you to sit down in the garden with the chirping of the birds along with a delicious breakfast and work on your laptop (as there is wireless internet), and then get on with your day.

The Havelock Place Bungalow caters for sit down dinners to crowds of not more than 25 to 30 persons. It would be best to book ahead. They also host small wedding receptions as well as birthday and ladies' lunches. With Christmas and New Years around the corner, if you intend of spending it in a laid back fashion, this might just be the place, as they will have special menus for the season.

or further details:
No. 6 – 8 Havelock Place,
Colombo 5, Sri Lanka
Tel: 258 5191, 250 6153/4
Fax: 258 4655
Email: reservations@havelockbungalow.com
Website:http://www.havelockbungalow.com