JKH unveils Rs.3.5bn Cinnamon Red
Sri Lankan leisure giant Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), yesterday unveiled its newest property Cinnamon Red, which is the country’s first ‘lean luxury hotel’, aimed at comforting the ultra-modern business traveller.
“We are targeting the modern businessperson, who doesn’t want any hassle. It’s efficient and comfortable, a bit hip and a bit swanky,” John Keells Holdings Deputy Chairman Ajit Gunawardene said.
Gunawardene also said that the concept of lean luxury fills the void between the two broad niches in the local hospitality industry-- star rating and budget hotels, which compete on price.
As such, he said that Cinnamon Red, which is a Rs.3.5 billion joint venture between JKH and Sanken Lanka (Private) Limited, is a new type of hotel and a model, which if successful, will be implemented where feasible. “This is just the first night, but I think this project will be successful and if demand exists, we’ll be looking at putting up more of these types in Colombo, maybe in a few more cities across the country and even across the region,” he said. According to Gunawardene, the staff to room ratio in the hotel is extremely low compared to industry standards in Sri Lanka, and other running costs have been cut down as much as possible. “Some of it is automation. The guest can check in and check out on his phone. We have got the best technology that is available,” he said.
Combining innovation and affordability for the new age traveller, Cinnamon Red’s other amenities include e-concierge services, vending machines and rooms equipped with Wi-Fi and IPTV systems. Gunawardene said marketing campaigns for the hotel will be done mainly via social media, as its main market is abroad. Cinnamon Red contains 243 rooms and is now the home to the highest rooftop bar in the country, located on the final 26th floor, and gives guests a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of Colombo and the Indian Ocean. Located on Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 3, Cinnamon Red is the third hotel property of the Cinnamon chain in Colombo. Its parent John Keells Holdings operates 13 hotels and eight resorts in Sri Lanka as well as three island resorts in the Maldives.
The opening night displayed Cinnamon Red’s efficient elegance to select guests and was unveiled in the presence of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
(CW)