TV Times
 

Palm Village Hotel targets MICE market
By Sanath Weerasuriya
Uswetakeiyawa is the most closest and the mostbeautiful beach stretch close to the city of Colombo. Palm Village Hotel is the largest property in the area and it lies across the popular Dutch canal. That was once the sole route to Colombo and Negombo and beyond on the other side.

Palm Village Hotel is situated in Uswetikeiyawa on the old Colombo road, just 25 minutes drive away from the hazzle and dazzle of the commercial capital.
Amidst the palm groves, lounging under swaying palms, shaded from the tropical heat and fanned by the ocean breeze, Palm Village is located in four acre landscaped gardens with all modern star class facilities.

This 23 year old hotel was under a major refurbishment project of 20 million rupees and was re-opened on 1 August. ‘It was taken over by McLarens Hotel Management Company in the latter part of 2004 and decided to go for this refurbishment programme’ he added. The Hotel is now owned and managed by McLarens Hotel Management Company.

The hotel offers fifty air conditioned rooms with balcony or terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean. ‘Palm Village Hotel is one of the very few beach hotels that have escaped from the December tsunami. We were not affected by the tsunami and the dull period was used for the refurbishment programme’ said Laksitha Wegodapola, the General Manager of the Hotel.

Hot and cold water, telephone, mini bar, cable TV, piped music and new décor are some of the facilities included in all 50 rooms. Services at the hotel include restaurant / bar facility, evening entertainment, business centre, beach snack bar overlooking the Indian Ocean.

‘We have theme nights spread across the week - Italian, Chinese, Eastern, Sri Lankan, Indian, Mongolian and BBQ are the top attractions at the hotel’ Wegodapola said. Laksitha Wegodapola pointed out, since lately; the Palm Village Hotel has become very popular as a conference venue.

‘Conferences, seminars or workshops are becoming fast growing business as the ho cated 25 minutes north of Colombo. It is in a holiday atmosphere yet close to business in Colombo. More and more corporate clientele and NGOs are getting attracted to this place. Though the hotel is 23 years old it has not attracted much as a destination. But with the new management the business is growing fast’ he said.

Apart from the MICE market, overseas travellers and Sri Lankan clientele make the place more lively. ‘Especially Sri Lanka guests for weekends and on Sunday keeps the hotel a hive of activity. Our Sunday buffet is one of the most popular attractions in the area.’ Laksitha said.

Sports and leisure are the other attractions. Outdoor swimming pool, badminton, table tennis, indoor games, soft animation, tennis, volleyball are favourites among Sri Lankans. ‘I am keen on promoting tennis as this is the only court that is available in the area. We are planning to open a tennis club soon, he added.

‘Excursions are too on the cards and it could be arranged for groups on request.’ ‘Muturajawela Bird Sanctuary - a guided boat tour through different ecological settings of a marsh, bird sanctuary and lagoon is a popular excursion among overseas travellers. Experience the rustle of the wind in one of the widest natural environments of tropical bird life and a rare mangrove eco-system’ he added.

‘A distillery tour- A truly Sri Lankan distillery processing coconut flower sap into fine spirits. Colombo City tour is much popular with foreigners - They want to travel through an Asian city and experience a vast diversity of events, locations and shopping. Night city tours with sight - seeing can also be arranged’ he said.

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