Plus


21st December 1997

Sports

Home Page Front Page OP/ED News Business


Travel

Sea, sand and blue blue pool

Wide open spaces, swaying tall palms, gushing water in the lobby , still water ponds and a blue blue pool- all this has blended beautifully to make the newest hotel on the Southern coast quite an experience. The Blue Water, a novel name, and a novel concept. The entrance and lobby areas are built so that they are surrounded by water, ponds, the pool and out in the distance framed by coconut trees and a green lawn is the sea. Rain water drains off the roof and ledges and flows into the still ponds. The pool water is circulated around to create a low slung waterfall by the side of the lobby. Even the interior is decorated to co-ordinate with the palms and the expanse of green outside with grey pillars and earthen coloured floors.

It's water water everywhereThe Blue Water is yet to be ceremonially opened but guests are welcome now at introductory rates. Equipped with facilities to qualify it a five star resort, the hotel already has a good tourist clientele.

The hotel takes you by surprise. Its entrance of pillars and a large iron gate gives no indication of the luxury beyond. There is also no sign board. The reception is reached through an open corridor. Behind the counter is a black and white painting of a mythical nine headed cobra signifying protection and safety.

Minimal decor with white as dominant colourIts 100 rooms are decorated minimally using wood extensively and white as the dominant colour. Reed slats decorate the doors and bed panels and every room opens out into a view of the sea. TV and mini bar facilities are provided. Polished terra cotta tiles give a sandy brown colour to the floor.

Furniture has been custom designed for the resort under the guidance of master architect Geoffrey Bawa. Iron and wood chairs and an assortment of antiques complement the lobby spread, where one is bound to stumble upon white flowers floating in water in a large metal dish, mounted on an iron stand. The management tells us that this is a type of deep fryer used in the good old days to make kaludodol in. The lobby leads into the coffee shop -airy, open, overlooking the garden. Chairs again uniquely designed with black and brown leather backed on stainless steel.

The bar is a cosy affair with softened lighting and plush leather chairs in black. The main dining hall combines the relaxed atmosphere of the beach resort with understated elegance. The room overlooks the "reflecting pond" This has been designed by Bawa to reflect the coconut tree tops at night. The bottom of the pond is painted black and it is built incorporating the palms that would have originally dotted the landscape.

So is the pool. Swimming along the wide, spread out pool one will come upto a small island with three large palms.

The original trees have been left intact as far as possible.

Another attraction is the 400m of beach , which in good weather is safe for bathing. For those who tire of the sea and sand and water there are other activities.

A fully equipped gymnasium will be ready in a few weeks and also tennis, squash courts and a mini golf course. A discotheque is also on the cards.

Rates are at Rs. 5500 a double full board and Rs. 3000 a double room only for the time being. The Blue Water is located right next to Wadduwa Holiday Resort.


    A holiday amidst swaying palms and a glorious pool, this is what The Sunday Times Travel Page has in store for readers this week. We are offering three packages of free weekends, at the Blue Water Hotel, another managed
    by the Jetwing Group. To be eligible for this super prize, simply answer the question on the coupon given below
    and each of the first three correct entries drawn would be entitled to a free weekend package for two (Friday night
    to Sunday lunch) at The Blue Water.

    The Blue Water Quiz,
    The Sunday Times,
    P.O Box 1136,
    Colombo.
    Email: editor@suntimes.is.lk

    Entries should reach us before December 31. Watch out for the names of the winners in the Travel Page on
    January 4.

        The Blue Water Quiz

        Q:What is the pool that reflects coconut tree tops at night?

        A:.................................................................................................. Name:.............................................................................................

        ......................................................................................................

        Address:.........................................................................................

        .......................................................................................................

    Mount Lavinia Quiz

    In The Sunday Times of December 7 we featured the Mount Lavinia Hotel. We offered our readers three super packages of free weekends at this hotel that offers travellers a taste of a bygone era.

    Well, we had a flood of entries and here are our three lucky winners who can now look forward to an unforgettable weekend .

    Congratulations to:

    1.Mohamed Athick Afeez
    2981/1 Galle Rd
    Wellawatte Col. 06

    2. Shirley Hector Silva
    19A Sri Subhadrarama Mw.
    Makuluwa
    Galle

    3. Izmi Quadir
    532/10 Kandy Rd
    Kurunegala

    Your entries were the first three correct ones drawn, and Mount Lavinia Hotel will be in touch with you shortly.

    We thank all you readers who wrote in, and if you were not among the winners today, don't despair. The Sunday Times has got many more exciting holiday packages from some of the country's most exotic holiday spots lined
    up for you.


Continue to Plus page 7 * It is breast feeding time in English class! * From its beginnings to its expulsion

Return to the Plus contents page

Read Letters to the Editor

Go to the Plus Archive

| TIMESPORTS

| HOME PAGE | FRONT PAGE | EDITORIAL/OPINION | NEWS / COMMENT | BUSINESS

Please send your comments and suggestions on this web site to
info@suntimes.is.lk or to
webmaster@infolabs.is.lk