WASALA LEISURE
Where heritage blends with luxury
Today, Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage city is home to preserved ruins, renovated great Buddhist shrines and massive rainwater reservoirs. Anuradhapura is one of the most conventional tourist destinations in the country and is the most adored living heritage city of Sinhala Buddhists of Sri Lanka. It has become a central hub for both Sri Lankan religious travellers and foreign travellers to explore the surrounding area.
Wasala Leisure Hotel is the newest addition to Anuradhapura’s luxury accommodation folder. Having started in February 2018, Wasala Leisure Hotel celebrates its first year of excellence with a series of promotions. Located in the heart of the hospitality hub of the city, Wasala in all its ancient glory, has carefully recreated the heritage to blend with its natural surroundings. It is just ten minutes away from the ancient city and the major historical sites.
The Resort boasts of having ten modern deluxe rooms with all the latest amenities such as A/C, mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities, cable TV, IDD telephone and wifi. All rooms are designed differently to match the theme.
‘Wasala is the traditional Sinhala name for the King’s Palace. Wasala Leisure offers six deluxe double rooms, two deluxe triple rooms and two luxury suites with private garden and Jacuzzi. The green lounges of the suites are set out invitingly on open garden area’ said Preethi Priyadarsha De Silva, the Chairman of the property.
All rooms have a special archeological stories featuring different concepts of the ancient Sri Lanka such as ‘Muragala’, ‘Wonder Tree’, ‘Sandakadapahana’, ‘Kandy Perahara’, ‘Mask’, ‘Star Gate’, ‘Frescoes of Sigiriya’, ‘Batik’, along with King and the Queen suites.
Entering through a majestic stone pillars, Wasala offers ‘Magul Uyana’, the Royal Garden featuring different foliage and herbs of 200 varieties. The brown marble stripe on floor depicts the line of green zone.bathrooms are spacious with a tub, rain shower, glazed floor and contemporary looking wall. This eco friendly Resort is one of the most modern hotels with a traditional touch and modern atmosphere. Structured in a way to provide every traveller with a magnificent view across the green field, Wasala Resort boasts of a 60 foot long modern swimming pool.
The hotel has gained popularity within a short period of time. The reason behind its success is the blend of history and luxury. This reflects the combination of a friendly ‘local’ ambience and comfort with exceptional service. A stay here will lift the spirits, while you experience true Sri Lankan hospitality’ said Preethi De Silva.
Wasala Resort has engineered cuisine to suit the diverse palates of many different nationalities that visit the hub of the Cultural Triangle.
The ‘Raja-bojun’ the main restaurant of the hotel offering the indigenous and an extensive menu of East to the West as well as the best of Sri Lankan cuisine is yours to sample. Light refreshments and refreshing drinks are to be enjoy at ‘Kathikawa’ the rooftop bar and café along with a cool breeze and casual fare.
‘But our speciality is authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. Our traditional dishes are very popular with all Sri Lankans visiting the place as well as with the foreign guests. Full English/american and Asian breakfast options are available daily at Wasala Hotel’ said Preethi, who plays the head chef role too at the hotel.
‘We mostly serve certified organic fruits and vegetables which are grown at our own farm. It is an ideal place for travellers to explore’ he added.
‘Pilgrims can use this resort as a base for Buddhist pilgrimages to visit areas in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and in the other places of the Cultural Triangle. It is also a centre point for nature and wildlife lovers’ said Jayantha Yapa, the Resident Manager of the hotel.
Apart from the heritage aspect of being surrounded by history and the Cultural Triangle, it is just 40 minutes away from Wilpattu National Park, where adventure travellers can witness many inland lakes, elephants, leopards, deer, sambhur, birds and many other species.
Kala Wewa, Avukana, Ritigala, Hurulu Wewa Park, Minneriya and Thanthirimale are just one to two hours drive away from the Resort. The ancient rock monastery ‘Isin Bessa Gala’ (where the rishis landed) off Medawachchiya, Madhu Church and Mihintale are a few other popular attractions of the area. Nilaweli and Trinco are about just two hour’s drive from the hotel.
The Resort is also planning on expansion in order to accommodate the demands from the growing client base.