CHILAW CITY HOTEL HAVEN BY LAGOON
Chilaw is not earmarked as a popular tourist destination. But eighteen years ago it was a challenge to build a hotel on a rocky beach frontage that was not considered a destination. It was indeed an acid test for late Chairman Shelton Fernando, who developed this property to its present star class status. But he has taken a bold step, establishing his entrance to the hospitality industry, in this remote, unspoiled beach stretch off Ambakandawila Road, Suduwella, a small fishing hamlet, 18 years ago...
Located on a tiny sea frontage separated by a messy beach road, Chilaw City Hotel (CCH) is known for its elegance, splendour and outstanding facilities in the area. Just 500 metres away from the Chilaw town, the CCH which is the biggest player in the area, boasts a large area of land bordering the Chilaw lagoon and Hamilton canal. The hotel consists of 62 luxury rooms, two banquet halls, a conference hall, restaurant/bar and a swimming pool. CCH is the property that ensures guests exclusive use of the secluded, lagoon, which connects to Hamilton Canal.
The 62 luxury rooms at Chilaw City Hotel comprise 40 standard rooms, 12 stylishly created luxury rooms in the new wing and 8 family rooms.
The new wing rooms offer spectacular views of the ocean from one side and the lagoon from the east, with private balconies from where one can greet the glorious dawn and view the dusk.
All rooms are equipped with modern amenities including private balcony, tea/coffee making facilities, LED cable TV, A/C and contemporary en suite bathroom.
‘We have large family rooms, that can accommodate up to six adults and our structure is specially designed with all modern facilities for long stay travellers. The unique view of the lagoon and the sunset from each room brings the life back to travellers from hectic tours and excursions’ said Sujeewa Wijetunge, the General Manager of the Chilaw City Hotel.
The hotel has two masterfully constructed banquet halls- Araliya, which can accommodate up to 400 pax and Lagoon View with again 400 pax. The conference hall can go up to 100pax on small scale corporate meetings. ‘Apart from arrivals and accommodations, our main market is banquets and conferences’
GM Sujeewa added. Dining at Chilaw City Hotel has been made interesting with a large open dining area creating a soothing atmosphere with a mesmerising lagoon view while pool terrace too offers a unique dining facilities under the stars after dark.
From fresh seafood to Sri Lankan delicacies and a range of beverages and desserts, cuisine at CCH is a gastronomic paradise.
‘We are always ready to cater to the needs of our guests. We offer international cuisine from around the world.
But our speciality is fresh from the sea. Guests can bring their fresh catch from the nearby beach and we are ready to cook it the way they want. Prawns from the lagoon is a popular dish’ explained Chef Tiron Fernando.
Apart from the international cuisine, beverage menus with a wide range of fresh juices and an eclectic mix of cocktails are available at the hotel.
‘Many leisure and business travellers find Chilaw City Hotel to be the ideal location for romantic getaways, business outings, family vacations and weddings and get-togethers’ said GM Wijethunga.
Hotel is located in close proximity to several tourist attractions. Situated en route to the Cultural Triangle, CCH is a mere ten kilometres away from the Anavilundawa bird sanctuary, one of Sri Lanka’s Ramsar wetland sites. Pambala Mangrove museum and leisure centre, the only Mangrove educational centre in the country is just 20 minutes away. This Centre aims at providing guests with a wholesome experience on mangrove life.
The hotel also organises excursions to other attractions, notable among which are Wilpattu National Park, the dolphin and whale watching tours in Kalpitiya, Muneswaram and St. Anne’s Thalawila and the Muthurajawela wetlands, a biologically diverse coastal ecosystem are some of the top attractions amongst travellers .
An adventurous boat ride in the lagoon through Hamilton Canal to Deduru Oya Delta is one of the best rides to glimpse the rural fishing lifestyle of the villagers.
The current board of directors comprises E. Malani Perera (MD), Dayani Fernando, Danusha Fernando, Dayan Fernando and Kumara Appuhamy.
THE RATES FOR CCH RANGE FROM RS. 8,000/- TO RS. 16,500/FBD FOR DELUXE. CORPORATE CONFERENCE PACKAGE IS RS. 5,800/-PER PERSON.