Peacock Beach Resort: New beginning for Southern tourism

Chairman - Dhakshitha Bogollagama

By Sanath Weerasuriya

The salterns are no longer the major attraction in Hambantota as they were a decade ago. Today, the spotlight has shifted to the Hambantota Port, international airport, cricket stadium and golf course, alongside the world-famous Yala National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife destinations.

Regardless of these new developments, tourism remains paramount in the region, driven by its beaches, diverse wildlife, rich biodiversity and unique ecosystem. With tourist arrivals reaching the two-million mark last year, the Hambantota district attracts a significant portion of these visitors, offering world-class accommodation.

GM- Chamika Balachari

Peacock Beach Hotel in Hambantota, one of the pioneering hospitality establishments in the Deep South, continues to stand tall as a key player in the region’s tourism sector. Having started in 1983, the Peacock Beach Hotel has undergone numerous transformations over the years. After the devastation caused by the 2004 tsunami, Peacock Beach resumed operations in 2007 but struggled to gain momentum until 2023, when Lankaila (Pvt) Ltd. took over its management, rebranding it as ‘Peacock Beach Resort and Spa’.

The newly established Singapore-based hospitality management company, Lankaila (Pvt) Ltd, has invested approximately 3 million US dollars into the property as part of a joint venture with the Guruge Group, the owning company of Peacock Beach Resort and Spa.

Dhakshitha Bogollagama, Chairman of Lankaila (Pvt) Ltd, stated that the hotel has upgraded most of its rooms to enhance guest services. Additionally, several new upgraded facilities have been introduced, including banquet and conference halls, a rooftop lounge, and various other infrastructure improvements.

Ex.Chef- Sathis

Spread across eight acre vast coconut palm and large fruit plantation, ‘Peacock Beach Resort and Spa’ boasts of having 106 spacious rooms, including 2 Suites, 34 Deluxe rooms in the ‘Bundala Wing’, 24 Superior rooms in the ‘Yala Wing’, 12 Modern Deluxe in the Harbour wing and 34 standard rooms surrounded by stunning tropical gardens and offering breathtaking sea views.

All rooms at ‘Peacock Beach Resort’ are fitted with a flat-screen LCD TV, mini-fridges, safe, tea/coffee making facilities, king size spacious double beds, en-suite bathroom fitted with all luxury amenities and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.  ‘

‘With tourism on the rise, Mattala Airport receiving numerous Russian and other European charter flights and Hambantota Harbour preparing for an increase in cruise arrivals, we anticipate tourism playing a pivotal role in the Hambantota region. The year 2025 is expected to be a landmark year for tourist arrivals in the district via Mattala International Airport and the port. We have already secured a significant share of this influx for our property’ said Chamika Balachari, the General Manager of the Resort5.

‘The Resort also offers two swimming pools for families, kids and adults and a health club.

‘If you seek relaxation, our new Ayurveda Spa is a place of personal peace that offers ancient healing therapies and personalised Ayurveda consultations with our expert doctor. We will be introducing a new Yoga lessons to our guests soon’ said GM Balachari.

The culinary journey around the Resort showcases the best of Sri Lankan cuisine, South-East Asian specialties and international flavours.  A wide variety of vibrant dining venues can be found throughout the resort. 

 ‘We have two main restaurants and three open bars. Monara is the main restaurant with 100pax seating capacity and Blue Diamond is a specialized restaurant with 35 seating capacity. Falcon Rooftop Lounge, Soul Pizzaria and Garden Pool Bar are other popular attractions of the Resort’ Chamika added.

The Resort offers authentic Sri Lankan cuisine specialised in Southern preparations. The menus, give their guests a selection of harmonious blended traditional Sri Lankan foods, or some endemic indigenes cuisines to international fine dining with a bit of Sri Lankan touch to satisfy their taste buds.

‘Actually cuisine is one of our main driving forces. Many comment about our cuisine. From simple Southern village meal to star class dining and Sri Lankan culinary experiences from the hill to the sea are included in our menu’ said Sathis Madushanka the Sous Chef of the Resort.

The hotel boasts the largest conference hall in the district, equipped with modern facilities to cater to various organizations based in the region as well as business circles from Colombo.

‘Out bound training sessions’, corporate meetings, weddings and other functions are key areas of focus for us’ added GM Balachari.

‘The hotel is also gearing up to meet growing demand in 2025 and attract expatriates and corporate clients residing in Hambantota for development projects’ he added.

Apart from cuisine and the nature, excursions to the surrounding areas are possible using ‘Peacock Beach Resort’ as the base. Bundala National Park, Lunugamvehera National Park, Yala National Park, Udawalawe Park, Kataragama/ Kirivehera, Sithul Pawwa, Blow hole in Tangalle, Mahalevaya Salterns just opposite the Resort, Kalametiya and Buduruwagala are some of the popular excursions.
The Resort is close to newly built Ridiyagama Safari zoo and bird Park Research Centre, Dry Zone Botanical Garden, Weerawila Sanctuary/ Lake and Tissa.

The room rate for the ‘Peacock Beach ranges from Rs 25,000/- (BB) to 30,000/- HBD and 40,000/- on FBD.

For more details call 0706295959 or log onto www.lankailahotels.com

Pix by Sanath Weerasuriya