‘Fox Jaffna’ Redefined tourism in Jaffna
View(s):By Sanath Weerasuriya
As the luxury express train to Jaffna is now back on track, travellers can enjoy the most comfortable train journey in Sri Lanka. Apart from that, luxury coach service is now available from Colombo/ Moratuwa instead of strenuous 10 hour self-drive of 400 long kilometres
up to Jaffna.
Once barred with war and stamped as one of the most un-touristic destinations in Sri Lanka, Jaffna is fast becoming a popular tourism destination in the country.
‘Fox Resort, Jaffna’ located in Kokuvil, just ten minutes from Jaffna town. Since its inception in June 2018 as a Heritage Hotel, Fox Jaffna has painted a new picture for the hospitality in Jaffna Peninsula
Built in 1908, this historic house was once the home of an illustrious Northern family but has gone through many turbulent years during the past.
During the war, the property was used as a treasury by LTTE terrorist before being claimed by the security forces as an office space. Since reclaiming the property, the owners have remodeled their ancestral home into a luxury boutique hotel, incorporating modern conveniences while preserving its colorful past. The two remaining bunkers used by the terrorists were restored and transformed to exhibit some of Sri Lanka’s greatest artwork and arteifacts as a private museum.
‘The Bunker’, an Art Gallery by Fox Resorts contains the country’s largest repository of artworks by the renowned ’43 Group of Sri Lanka, as well as pieces by other prominent 20th century Sri Lankan masters. The second bunker ‘The Vault’, a History Museum by Fox Resorts, displaying information on the rich history of Jaffna, from pre-historic times through the civil war era.
Fox Resort Jaffna offers 28 luxury living spaces including 4 luxury suites in the main Colonial bungalow and 24 deluxe rooms in six Villas. Paying homage to the colours and architectural style of the North, the four Suites in the main bungalow are decorated after George Keyt. Six new villas pay homage to other local artistes with each villa displaying art from a famous local artiste.
‘As our motto is ‘rest, relax, reunite’, ‘Fox Jaffna’ is a family Resortl. We always prefer to offer our accommodation to family unites, as the hotel is built for serving the family needs’ said Siraj Khan the Resident Manager of
the Hotel.
The suites are generously appointed with a well-furnished living area, Choice of Beds (twin/queen/king), Sofa bed, LED televisions with cable TV, washrooms with hot and cold water, tea/Coffee making facilities. Newly built rooms are too with all modern amenities.
‘Fox Jaffna Resort’ offers specialty dining experience to its guests. Executive Chef Balan Pushparajan, with years of experience behind him, is the master of Sri Lankan cuisine specialised in Jaffna culinary secrets.
‘Jaffna is famous for seafood and varied of traditional Tamil preparations of authentic cuisine vegetarian and non-veg. Our chicken dishes are from village fowl. Seafood is also straight from the beach and we do not serve any freezed seafood’ Chef Balan said.
Fox Jaffna has only one all day dining restaurant. It offers any kind of cuisine around the globe including aromatic and flavourful preparations from Jaffna and India. the main restaurant brings to life the distinct and tantalising tastes of this region’s unique and indigenous spices for guests to experience.
The spices used to cook meals at the hotel too are made by the chefs themselves under the best hygienic conditions to make sure that they deliver the exact authentic flavour to the Jaffna dishes.
‘We are capable of preparing any kind of Sri Lankan dishes and keen to add with new varieties. The most recent additions were Bamboo Biriyani and Raal Pittu with prawns. These have become the most popular items on the menu now’ said Chef Balan.
‘The best thing is that guests can order any kind of food, whether it is available on the menu or not, and the chefs are more than willing to quench your food cravings’ said RM Siraj.
‘Whether it’s a walkabout in the city experiencing the sights and sounds of Jaffna or a journey of discovery in this citadel of Hindu tradition, art and culture, ‘Fox Jaffna’ Travel Desk offer various tours and excursions to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of Jaffna or even the adjacent interesting destinations of Mannar, Mullaitivu and other cities’ he added.
Visit one of the area’s many religious sites – the famous Nallur kovil, the alluring Manthiri Manai or the historic Nagadeepa temple and St Patrick’s Church. For nature lovers, Jaffna offers some of the most secluded beaches or indigenous birds at the Chunikkulam bird sanctuary. Keeriamalai hot springs which are renowned for their waters’ restorative and healing properties, Jaffna Fort Jaffna Library, Fort HammenHiel, Delf Island, Tholagotti Farm, Sangamitta Viharaya and Kandarodai Buddhist site are some of the popular excursions.
Pix by Shan Bandu Weerasinghe
The room rates at ‘Fox Jaffna’ range from Rs.26,000/- (RO) to
Rs. 45,000/- (FBD suite).
For more details call, 0217 400 400,
076 308 4518 log onto
www.foxresort.com
Email- sales@foxresorts.com
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