SHANGRI – LA HAMBANTOTA
The recovery of the tourism industry is at a very slow phase at the moment but the industry stake holders and the authorities are optimistic and working hard towards the brighter future. The arrivals of tourists to Sri Lanka have dropped drastically since the deadliest terror attack on Easter Sunday. Tourism is the biggest affected sector in the country, intimidating over 10,000 jobs directly and indirectly. Deep South and the wildlife destinations are some of the badly affected areas, not sparing Sri Lanka's very first Deep South luxury resort, Shangri-la's Hambantota Resort and Spa.
The third anniversary of the Shangri-la’s Hambantota Resort and Spa was celebrated on the 1st of June and an international golf tournament is being organised on 28th and 29th to enjoy the anniversary. Shangri-la’s Hambantota Resort and Spa
is the first Shangri-la hotel in Sri Lanka, opened on 1st June 2016 on a 145-acre former coconut plantation.
Spread across this vast coconut plantation, the par-70, 18 hole golf course offers spectacular views of the Indian Ocean, with distinctive challenges for both beginners and seasoned players. Designed by Rodney Wright, the globally celebrated designer, the course offers lush fairways and challenging bunkers, with the Dune Area featuring subtle elevation changes and the Sapphire Mine showcasing generous greens with an abundance of water features. Shangrila’s Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa’s golf course is USGA (United States Golf Association) Course Rated and Slope Rated.
The resort offers a wide array of services and facilities for golfers to enjoy their experience in these idyllic settings. Inspired by Sri Lanka's colonial heritage, Ulpatha, the Golf Club House overlooks the 18th hole and is the perfect place to unwind after a game of golf, with a fine selection of beverages and snacks. For players’ convenience, the ‘Pro-shop’ offers a wide range of products on sale including a selection of premium golf equipment, caps, shoes and sun glasses.
All 300 luxury rooms and suites offer magnificent views of manicured golf lawns and the sparkling lagoon from one end while, beautiful landscaped tropical gardens or the rugged waves of the Indian Ocean from the other side. The furnishings have been carefully curated to complement the surrounding natural beauty and local southern culture. Indigenous materials from the surrounding and contemporary style are seamlessly mixed to create a beautiful and personal atmosphere.
When it comes to relaxation, CHI Ayurveda Spa is the perfect haven to indulge and the resort gifts a complimentary treatment for each treatment booked. On this special weekend,
Shangri-la’s Hambantota Resort and Spa is also inviting its key partners to join in for their third year anniversary, with a bespoke culinary journey around the resort showcasing the best of Sri Lankan cuisine, South-east Asian specialities, and international flavours.
A wide variety of vibrant dining destinations can be found throughout the resort. ‘Bojunhala’ serves local food, while the stunning ‘Sera’, inspired by the famous hawker stalls of Southeast
Asia, provides a variety of comfort foods.
‘Ulpatha’ doubles as the resort's Golf Club House and the centre for sporting, social and recreational gatherings.
Families are given a warm welcome at the resort with a range of services designed especially for them. The Cool Zone Kids Club is open every day and there are plenty of other activities to keep younger guests happy including the thrills of a 7 metre high trapeze.
‘We successfully overcame the challenges and set a benchmark for hospitality in Sri Lanka. We are very pleased with the endorsement and avid reviews from our guests which helped us earn a positive reputation in our three years of operation. We wish to continue raising the bar of service excellence to exceed the expectations of today’s sophisticated local vacationers and international travellers alike’ said Shiham
Saliheen, Communication Manager, Shangrila's Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa.
For its anniversary the resort also launched the ‘Golf’ campaign which includes an attractive room offer for locals and residents. Guests staying at the resort on 28 and 29 June will also enjoy an array of special treats.