IT'S ABOUT THE ‘SANDS’ NOT THE WAVES
The ‘golden stretch' between Wadduwa and Kalutara is a popular tourist destination.
Offering beach front rooms with private balconies, The Sands By Aitken Spence Hotels boasts garden landscapes, an outdoor pool and obviously the golden beach is an ideal beach holiday for sun and sand lovers.
Located on a landscaped garden in Kudawaskaduwa in Kalutara, The Sands is just one hours drive from the hustle and bustle of the Colombo city.
Formerly known as the Ramada Resort, ‘The Sands by Aitken Spence Hotels' introduces with it, a novel, exciting and breathtaking experience for the holiday maker. However, the difference is noteworthy, with many new additions and revamps.
The resort currently consists of 109 rooms, with an objective of completing 200 rooms by the end 2012. Among the standard and deluxe rooms and suites, the most popular section is ‘family rooms'. 91 Standard rooms, 5 family rooms, one luxury suite and the deluxe rooms overlook the ocean. All the rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, en suite bathrooms with shower cubicles, IDD telephone, satellite LCD TV, wi-fi facility, mini bar, pipe music etc.
‘The Sands' is the youngest child of the Aitken Spence family. It has fast grown as a popular family destination and a conference venue, mainly because of the close distance to Colombo' said Niaran Ratwatta, the Director General Manager of the
Hotel. Among its latest additions are The Sands' four restaurants, two bars, a night club and a spa. Three of the four restaurants – with its appropriately sea-related names are a part of a unique ‘dine around' concept, introduced to Sri Lanka for the first time. ‘The ‘dine around' concept gives patrons the flexibility to enjoy their meals at the restaurant of their preference. The fourth restaurant provides an à la carte menu, enabling guests to order as they please' Niran said.
Likewise, the two bars, the ‘Sands Bar' and the ‘Corals Bar', and the ‘Currents' nightclub are also aptly named to highlight the coastline location of the hotel.
Guests will have the flexibility of enjoying each
meal including evening tea in different locations giving them the opportunity to hover around and savour the various themes on offer, such as the Pavement Hawkers, Pizza Night, Village by the Sea, Mexican and Cowboy, The Wok, Silk route and so forth.
‘We can cater to any kind of culinary requirement. The hotel is known for its special sea food dishes. But we are capable of providing any meal from western to oriental including Chinese, Thai, Indian, Mongolian etc' Ex. Chef Palawatta said.
In addition to these facilities, the hotel also markets its banquet halls, which are ideal for destination weddings, conferences and corporate or school outings.
‘Banquet hall can accommodate 250 pax in theatre style and is a number one wedding destination in the district. Also we offer various packages to conferences and corporate outings including poolside BBQ, DJ music for dancing at the Club as well as outside in the garden' explained Ratwatte. The Hotel mainly provides an ‘All Inclusive' package for foreign travellers including unlimited local beverages and Sri Lankan clientele can enjoy the semi ‘All Inclusive' package, which includes all there meal and unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee and snacks around the clock. The hotel offers tours and excursions to different locations on requests.
‘Kalutara town and temple, river cruise, coir market, fishing village and ‘Colombo by Night' tours to Colombo for foreign travellers are some of the popular tours' Niran said.
PIX BY NEIL SIRIWEERA