Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort opens tomorrow
The star class “Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort” built at a cost of Rs 750 million is to be declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksha tomorrow.
Situated in Thanamalvila Road, the facility is located 163 kilometers away from Colombo, 500 meters from the Ath Athuru Sevana (Elephant Orphemage), and is only a five minutes drive from the Uda Walawe National Park. It is very conveniently located with easy access to places such as the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cricket Stadium, the Ruhunu Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port and the proposed Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport.
A brain child of ELS Group of Companies, Gand Udawalawe Safari Resort is the only hotel of its class in the area. “This is an environment-friendly hotel, with infrastructure such as sewerage treatment plant and waste water treatment facilities geared for the whole project presently in place,” Deputy Chairman of the hotel Anura Vithanage said.
He further said that the hotel management was highly committed to preserving the natural resources in the area, and will also be providing employment to many.
According to Director Priyantha Dematagoda, one of the most significant feature of the Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort is its picturesque swimming pool. “Ingeniously fashioned from the Malabotu Area, a natural waterway bordering three sides of the property, it preserves, the natural ambience and the awe-inspiring quality of the jungle atmosphere with the shade of the stately Kumbuk trees, which were preserved in order to allow the guests of the hotel the coolness and to maintain the healthy quality of the air and water.”
Built on a 7 acre land, the hotel consists of 55 rooms (inclusive of 04 suites) with Internet and IDD facilities, Satellite TV facilities with International! Local Channels, Banquet Hall with seating capacity of 450 pax, Restaurant which can accommodate 250 pax, ‘Monara’ Coffee shop, 24 hour room service, Conference Hall with 200 seating capacity, Business center with WIFI facilities, Specially designed Swimming pool with an adjoining Bar ‘Ali Marikada’, Open air theater — ‘Una Sewana’, Mini Theatre, Gymnasium, Recreation facilities such as Pool Table and indoor games.
Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort will also operate the restaurant to host the guests, who travel through Thanamalvila Road to provide them with refreshments and will operate regular buffets to cater to their needs.
The Hotel which targets to break-even in 5 years time, hopes to commence an Ayurvedic Spa under the second phase. (IS)