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Dambulla Tourist Guide | Sri Lanka

Dating back to the 1st Century BC, this is the most impressive cave temple in Sri Lanka. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. In 1938 the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades and gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.

The temple is composed of five caves, which have been converted into shrine rooms. The caves, built at the base of a 150m high rock during the Anuradhapura (1st Century BC to 993 AD) and Polonnaruwa times (1073 to 1250), are by far the most impressive of the many cave temples found in Sri Lanka. Access is along the gentle slope of the Dambulla Rock, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding flat lands, which includes the rock fortress Sigiriya, 19kms away. Families of friendly monkeys make the climb even more interesting.

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Dusk brings hundreds of swooping swallows to the cave entrance. The largest cave measures about 52m from east to west, and 23m from the entrance to the back, this spectacular cave is 7m tall at its highest point. Hindu deities are also represented here, as are the kings Valgamba and Nissankamalla, and Ananda – the Buddha’s most devoted disciple.

Within these shrine rooms is housed a collection of one hundred and fifty statues of the Buddhist Order and the country’s history. These statues and paintings are representative of many epochs of Sinhala sculpture and art. The Buddha statues are in varying sizes and attitudes – the largest is 15 metres long. One cave has over 1,500 paintings of Buddha covering the ceiling.

The Cave Monastery

The Dambulla cave monastery is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka. This complex dates from the 3rd and 2nd Centuries BC, when it was already established as one of the largest and most important monasteries. King Walagambahu is traditionally thought to have converted the caves into a temple in the 1st century BC. Exiled from Anuradhapura, he sought refuge here from South Indian usurpers for 15 years. After reclaiming his capital, the King built a temple in thankful worship. Many other kings added to it later and by the 11th century, the caves had become a major religious centre and still are. King Nissanka Malla gilded the caves and added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190. During the 18th century, the caves were restored and painted by the Kandyan Kings.

The first cave is called Devarajalena, or “Cave of the Divine King.” An account of the founding of the monastery is recorded in a first-century Brahmi inscription over the entrance to the first cave. This cave is dominated by the 14-meter statue of the Buddha, hewn out of the rock. It has been repainted countless times in the course of its history, and probably received its last coat of paint in the 20th century. At his feet is Buddha’s favourite pupil, Ananda; at his head, Vishnu, said to have used his divine powers to create the caves.

In the second and largest cave, in addition to 16 standing and 40 seated statues of Buddha, are the gods Saman and Vishnu, which pilgrims often decorate with garlands, and finally statues of King Vattagamani, who honoured the monastery in the first century B.C., and King Nissanka Malla, responsible in the 12th century for the gilding of 50 statues, as indicated by a stone inscription near the monastery entrance.

This cave is accordingly called Maharajalena, “Cave of the Great Kings.” The Buddha statue hewn out of the rock on the left side of the room is escorted by wooden figures of the Bodhisattvas Maitreya (left) and Avalokiteshvara or Natha (right). There is also a dagoba and a spring which drips its water, said to have healing powers, out of a crack in the ceiling. Valuable tempera paintings on the cave ceiling dating from the 18th century depict scenes from Buddha’s life, from the dream of Mahamaya to temptation by the demon Mara. Further pictures relate important events from the country’s history

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The third cave, the Maha Alut Vihara, the “Great New Monastery,” acquired ceiling and wall paintings in the typical Kandy style during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747-1782), the famous Buddhist revivalist. In addition to the 50 Buddha statues, there is also a statue of the king.

The fourth and fifth caves are smaller; they date from a later period and are not of such high quality. A small Vishnu Devale between the first and second caves attracts many worshipers.

When you remove your shoes and enter the temple the same way you would do at any other temple in Sri Lanka, you will feel the coolness of the rock beneath your feet. Hardly any noise can be heard when you reach the summit except maybe the birds and the echo of dripping water… single drop at a time. Makes you imagine the atmosphere that would have been ideal for the Buddhist monks to gain peace of mind and serenity all those centuries ago.

Sri Lanka

Sinharaja Rainforest – World Heritage

Dense, dark, wet and mysterious like all rain forests – the Sinharaja Rainforest is a primeval forest that’s ideal for meditation, relaxation and for scientific exploration. This relatively undisturbed expanse of primary forest is a Sri Lankan heritage as well as a world heritage site – the last patch of sizeable lowland evergreen Rain Forest that still remains more or less intact or undisturbed on the island.

The forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word Sinharaja means, lion (Sinha) king (Raja) and the popular belief it that the legendary origin of the Sinhala people in Sri Lanka is form the descendants of the union the lion king who once lived in the forest and a princess.

Today, the spirit of the legend remains captured in solitude in the silent forest and the rising mist of the early dawn. More than time however separates the modern explorer in the Sinharaja forest from its legendary inhabitants, man has rapidly penetrated the seemingly inaccessible wilderness of the rainforest which once covered perhaps over 100,000 hectares of the South Western hills and lowlands. The present reserve is but a glimpse of its former glory, occupying a narrow sliver of land 21 km. in length and 3.7 km. in width, covering 11187 hectares of undisturbed and logged forest, scrub and fern land. Sinharaja rainforest was declared an International Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978 also making it a world heritage site.

To the casual observer, the forest represents a tropical rain forest with a dense tall stand of trees, steep and rugged hills etched by numerous rocky streams and rivulets. The value of forests such as Sinharaja is well known for their functions as watersheds and store houses of great biological wealth. It is a rich treasure trove of nature with a great diversity of habitats and a vast repository of Sri Lanka’s endemic species found no where else in the world. Sinharaja therefore, represents an irreplaceable gene pool, a refuge for all those rare and endangered forms of life, both fauna and flora.

Climate

The Sinharaja lies within a rainfall range of 3,000 to 6,000 millimeters. Rainfall figures available for the last 60 years show values ranging from 3,614 to 5,006 millimeters in places, in and around the Sinharaja. The mean monthly rainfall data for the year 1981 to 1984 indicates the general pattern of rainfall with a minimum of 50 millimeters even during the driest month and two distinct monsoonal peaks.

The high annual temperature of the Sinharaja is typical of the tropics, recording little seasonal variation, but with marked daily ranges. The lowest mean monthly temperature has been abserved during the wettest season and the highest during the driest season. Conventional temperature patterns however change during long periods of drought or excessive rainfall.

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A typical nature rivulet emerging from the dense forest of Sinharaja A common sight all over the wooded area with crystal clear water draining into the various waterways which makes the forest the most important watershed. This tropical humid rain forest plays a vital role in maintaining the quality and regulating the continuous supply of water. A numerous network of such rivulets found within the forest, feed the popular rivers Kalu Ganga to north and Gin Ganga to the south of Sinharaja.

The Flora

Based on numerous ecogeographical classifications of the vegetation of the island, the vegetation of the Sinharaja may be described either as a Tropical lowland rain forest or Tropical wet evergreen forest. However, the most resent classifications adopted by the UNESCO – MAB programme identifies it as a Tropical Humid Ceylonese Rain Forest of the Indo – Malayan realm.

The vegetation within the reserve can be broadly categorized into three main types based on topography. viz. the lower slopes and valleys (150 – 600 meters), middle slopes (600 – 1000 meters) and the upper slopes and ridges (above 1,000 meters)

Vegetation

The basic framework of the intricate rain forest ecosystem is the complex vegetation structure. At first glance, the forest seems to be a bewildering chaos of vegetation. However, a closer look reveals that the vegetation can be categorized on the basis of several factors such as life-forms (trees, shrubs, herbs and woody climbers), atrata or groups of plants living under similar conditions of light and moisture with each group having its own “life-style” (the canopy, subcanopy or under-storey, shrub layer and ground layer, stranglers, epiphytes, parasites and saprophytes). They could all either stand on their own, like trees and thus be mechanically independent, or be dependent, like climbers, epiphytes and parasites.

Stranglers begin their life as dependents, but later establish their own support. The plants could either be photosynthetic, thus nutritionally self sufficient or non-photosynthetic like the saprophytes ; some, on the other hand, are totally parasitic. The plants could also represent several stages of maturity e.g. seedlings, saplings, poles, etc. As expected, the variety of combinations that could exist in the forest can be enormous. These are the factors that form the basis of scientific descriptions of the vegetation structure.

As in all rain forests, in Sinharaja too. the forest is tall with the canopy reaching a height of 30 to 45 meters. The canopy is well packed with tree crowns and is usually devoid of emergent trees i.e. trees which reach over the main layer of packed crowns.

Among the large trees of the canopy, columnar tree boles are typical. These are supported by plank buttress roots a typical characteristic of large rain forest trees. Several theories have been put forward to explain the presence of buttresses, the most accepted one being that they are necessary to stabilize the unusually tall tree trunks, which support a crown at the very top and have a shallow root system. In the Sinharaja however, buttresses are few and not as developed as in other South-East Asian rain forests.

The root systems of rain forest trees are relatively superficial. Only a few trees have deep penetrating tap roots. There is growing interest in the study of the underground structure of trees and the part they play in nutrient cycling. Also of current interest is the symbiotic association between tree tree root and fungireferred to as mycorrhizae which facilitate nutrient absorption.

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The Fauna

The complex vegetation structure of the rain forest provides a variety of dwelling places or niches for animals. Thus, not surprisingly, there is a rich diversity of fauna within a rain forest. Animals are often thought to be a passive or dependent component of the ecosystem that do not contribute actively to the continuity and growth of the forest. This, however, is contrary to the true facts. Although dependent on plants for food, animals also carry out functions vital to the growth of plants such as pollination and seed dispersal. These interaction and seed dispersal. These interaction are often complex and highly specialized, and have developed as plants and animals evolved together over millions of years. Studies on rain forest fauna, however, are relatively recent and little is known of their strategies for survival, and of the details of the role they play in propagating rain forest floral species.

Unlike the flora, the fauna of the Sinharaja has received comparatively little attention, and descriptions of the fauna had been limited to the occasional report by enthusiasts. It was only as recently as 1981 that preliminary systematic investigations were initiated. These studies were confined to the western sector of the Reserve, the sector which had been seriously disturbed by the logging project of the 1970’s, and were carried out mainly to determine the effects of logging and deforestation on small mammals. However, during this project a determined effort was also made to identify and inventorise the fauna in general, a very necessary task in view of the scarcity of information.

Sri Lanka

Bandarawela Hotel | Colonial Hill Station | Sri Lanka

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OLD STYLE COLONIAL HOTEL | 35 ROOMS

Built in the traditional tea factory style by the colonial British tea planters and showing a marked British influence with its old world charm and quite graciousness, the Bandarawela Hotel is situated over 4000 ft above sea level and is Sri Lanka’s first mountain resort hotel.

The hotel is owned and managed by Aitken Spence Hotels who own several hotels across Sri Lanka, the Maldives, India and Oman, which means you could expect top class service.

The place is full of old world colonial charm and comforts, and is the perfect stop for a few days amidst glorious tea estates and scenic landscapes. Bandarawela is a busy market town at an elevation of 1230m, which was once said to have one of the healthiest climates in the world. Some of the best of “Ceylon Tea” is grown in the area. The best of Asian pears and strawberries are also grown here since the climate is dry, mild and perfect.

The Bandarawela Hotel is an ideal base for excursions to Horton Plains, Adisham Monastery, the tea plantations, nearby waterfalls, Udawalawe Wildlife Sanctuary and Hakgala Botanical Gardens.

ACCOMMODATION

Well appointed and comfortable rooms with attached bath AND all modern facilities. The rooms also have hair-dryers, IDD telephones, Radio, Satellite and cable Television and 24hrs room service. There’s also a mini-bar in each room.

CUISINE

The hotel offers a variety of western and eastern cuisine along with all the local favourites as well. There’s also a lounge bar as well as a pub with music and evening entertainment.

The hotel also has its own Pool and Table-Tennis tables, along with Darts and Badminton – Tennis, Gold and Billiards can also be arranged at the local club.

Products and Services :35 Rooms, Piped music, Special theme night, Billiards, Table tennis, Indoor games, Golf, Tennis, Hiking, Trekking, Cycling, Bar & lounge, Conference facilities, Creche / Kids’ club, Doctor on call, Ensuite bath / Shower, Foreign exchange, In-room safe, Laundry, Mini bar, Parking, Restaurants, Satellite / Cable TV, Tour desk.

Check-in/Check-out Time Normal Check-in Time is 12.00 noon and Check-Out time is 11.00 a.m. Earlier Check-in Time or later Check-out time could be requested on a case by case basis and the hotel may agree depending on availability.

Address: Bandarawela, Sri Lanka

Airport: Colombo International – Distance 230Kms

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Sri Lanka

Sunset Araliya Hotel | Bentota | Sri Lanka

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SMALL DELUXE HOTEL | 25 ROOMS

Perched by the mouth of the Bentota River, where the river meets the sea, Araliya Hotel is ideally located for the avid water-sports enthusiast. The hotel is a family run property specifically catering to life on the water front. The hotel is comfortably appointed with air conditioned rooms and all modern day creature comforts, however it’s not a hotel in the luxury class. The hotel is clean, comfortable and friendly and perfectly matches the UK standards of health and safety, the hotel also servers up some fine cuisine especially seafood and we further like the fact that ‘fresh local produce’ is widely used.

ACCOMMODATION

25 elegantly designed rooms with landscaped gardens just by the water. All rooms face the waterfront and are complimented by a balmy sea breeze and the distant thunder of the sound of the surf. Enjoy by day, the many water sports or read a book by the river or sunbathe on golden beaches.

CUISINE

Enjoy the delectable cuisine prepared by our resident master chef, who’s renowned for his tantalizeing ocean fresh sea food. Even better, enjoy a sensuous moon lit dinner on board our cruise boat.

HOTEL FACILITIES

Air Conditioned Rooms, Restaurants
24 Hour Room Service
Laundry Service
IDD Facilities
Vehicle Hire Service
Hot and Cold Water
Doctor on call

WATER SPORTS ACTIVITIES

Water Skiing – Wind Surfing – Banana Boat Rides – River Cruise – Scuba Diving – Catamaran Rides – Deep Sea/Big Game Fishing – Snorkelling – Jet Ski and Water Scooters

Check-in/Check-out Time: Normal Check-in Time is 12.00 noon and Check-Out time is 11.00 a.m. Earlier Check-in Time or later Check-out time could be requested on a case by case basis depending on your flight arrival and departure times. The hotel may agree depending on availability.

Address: Sunset Araliya Hotel and Water Sports Centre, Aluthgama, West Coast, Sri Lanka.

Airport: Colombo International

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Sri Lanka

Barberyn Beach | Ayurveda Spa Resort | Weligama |…

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AYURVEDA BEACH RESORT | DELUXE STUDIOS AND ROOMS

Barberyn Beach Ayurveda Resort is located on the coast at Weligama, a costal village at the southern tip of Sri Lanka. The resort is approximately 140 km from Colombo. The resort opened in 2003 and has since gained a reputation as one of the country’s leading tourist health resorts.

The owners have combined a wealth of knowledge, experience and resources acquired over the years in providing Ayurveda treatments, together with their immense tourism skills to provide guests with the finest Ayurvedic treatments in a holiday resort environment.

The hotel boasts contemporary architecture that blends beautifully with indigenous design to create a feeling of space and light – ‘open plan’, which brings nature in – all part and parcel of helping guests experience the healing that comes from within.

An Ayurvedic Adventure by Christina Patterson

I thought the beauty of the place alone would heal me. The sister resort of Barberyn Reef, the first Ayurvedic resort in Sri Lanka, Barberyn Beach is set on a hillside overlooking a palm-fringed beach. The 15 acres of grounds have been beautifully landscaped, and the views in every direction are stunning. Sitting on the hillside by the pool, you can gaze out at the sea and at the stilt fishermen, perched on their spindly-looking sticks. From the moment I arrived, I was in heaven.” – The UK Independent

AYURVEDA HEALTH CENTRE

The Centre of Holistic Health and Total Well-Being – Since its opening in 2003, the Health Centre at Barberyn Beach in weligama has earned a reputation of providing effective professional and caring ayurveda therapies. The health centre has the benefit of over 20 years experience gained at their sister resort, the Barberyn Reef in Beruwala.

After reviewing the spa scene in Sri Lanka, Asia Spa magazine commented that Barberyn was a place to experience Ayurveda at its very best. The health centre at Barberyn Beach has been featured extensively in newspapers and magazines in both Europe and in Asia.

Most guests who come to Barberyn wish to improve their health and well being while having a great beach vacation. All our guests quickly learn to listen to their bodies – and they feel the tension and stress dissolve with the warm oil and the rhythmic strokes of the therapists. An increasing number of guests come for shoulder pain, back ache – sciatica, insomnia, Gastritis ulcers, skin disorders , psoriasis , allergies, arthritis, to name just a few. Ayurveda has very effective remedies for all the above mentioned medical problems.

Around the world, people search for safer medicines that have no adverse side effects. Ayurveda therapy is not simply a collection of herbal recipes, it is a holistic and scientific system based on an age-old profound philosophy leading to a long and healthy life without illness.

The Health Centre has a team of specially trained staff members, including resident Ayurveda physicians, therapists’, medicine makers and acupuncture specialists. The Barberyn approach to Ayurveda is a serious one, staying true to the Ayurvedic principle of restoring the equilibrium in body, mind and spirit, thereby creating a sense of total health & well-being. To achieve this balance, we follow a thorough and carefully structured process learnt through over 20 years in the industry.

Yoga: A gentle workout for body and mind

Although recently embraced in the West, Yoga has been recognized and practiced for thousands of years in South Asia as a powerful complement to Ayurvedic medicine and healing. Ayurveda and Yoga come from the same philosophical matrix. They examine the body – mind concept from the perspective of maintenance of health and the treatment of disease.

The yoga practiced at Barberyn is the traditional Hatha Yoga (postures) with Pranayama (breathing) It is designed to awaken the Kundalini. This form of Yoga helps to elongate the spine and keep the spine supple, for it can delay the aging process. “You are as old as your spine”.

Barberyn Beach has become a popular venue for special yoga programmes and yoga teachers from all over the world often take their pupils to practice yoga in combination with the Ayurveda treatments at Barberyn. The resort was the venue of the world yoga congress, Sri Lanka from 4th June to 11th June 2006.

Yogic postures and breathing techniques have long been known for their health benefits. The 15th Century Manual on Yoga practice, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika states that as a result of the practice of postures (asana) there will be “sturdiness, absence of disease and lightness.”

The postures (Asana) bring pressure on the acupuncture points in the body with beneficial results. For example the “Gomakasana” bring pressure on the acupuncture points of the kidney. This can help in keeping the kidneys healthy and functioning properly.

At Barberyn Beach the yoga sessions are held daily and the yoga and tai chi are free of charge for resident guests. The extensive grounds at Barberyn beach are well suited for the practice of yoga and a yoga pavilion has been built overlooking the ocean.

Some of the Asana activate the endocrine system which consists of ductless glands. This endocrine system is responsible in keeping all the vital organs healthy and functioning properly and aims at the perfection of the body.

Apart from the curative value, Yoga brings tranquillity and stillness into our lives. The two aspects of Yoga thus provide a powerful tool for coping with physical and mental stress of modern day living.

At Barberyn there is no pressure to compete and the yoga classes are designed to cater to everyone – beginners as well as advanced students – so no one feels left out. Even the most “stiff as a board” types will be amazed at how quickly their bodies adapt to tackle challenging and complex positions. In just a few days your body rewards you with increased flexibility and stamina along with suppleness through Tai chi session.

Meditation and Self Awareness

Ayurveda, including meditation and yoga have been central to the way of life of the people who own and Manage Barberyn Resorts. Traditional customs are preserved at the resort and guests are free to participate if they wish. The resort also organizes visits to temples, churches and mosques and guests can borrow from the owners’ collection of books and audio/ video material on the profound aspects of life on a range of subjects including “Self Awareness and Knowledge”.

Of course, attendance is purely voluntary. These activities are provided for the benefit of interested guests-to satisfy their intellectual curiosity and to enhance their knowledge and experience.

FACILITIES

Barberyn Beach provides all the facilities needed to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. It is a beautiful and elegant resort, built in such a way that guests can enjoy the feeling of space and light, the sounds of nature and huge night skies.

There is no television or music in the bedrooms. You can hear the sounds of soft chanting from scriptures in the morning and evening as you pass the entrance pavilion and soothing music at the health centre. You can also watch television, view videos or listen to music in the conference centre. For those who seek solitude and rest, the extensive resort grounds with its lush vegetation and birds provide the ideal haven. Those who like company find warmth and friendship amongst fellow guests who quickly absorb the warmth and caring nature of the staff.

Products and Services:Sea view restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Open-air reception pavilion, Seawater swimming pool, Shrine room, Conference facility, Reading room, Art Gallery, Asian silks and craft shop, Ayurveda Lectures, Food demonstrations, Yoga and Meditation Pavilian, Short excursions to local places of interest.

Complimentary transfers are provided (Airport to Hotel and Hotel to Airport)

Barberyn Video

HOTEL REVIEWS

SPA WORLD MAGAZINE – Spa in Sri Lanka and support its recovery

Overseas spas (Excerpt from article) – Sri Lanka’s superb spa retreats are open for business again following the devastation caused by last December’s tsunami. And visitors to its idyllic spas will help support the country’s recovery. Ulpotha and Barberyn resorts offer some of the finest native ayurvedic treatments, holistic massage, herbal steam baths and yoga on the ‘Island of Serendipity’ Visitors to Ulpotha – a beautiful lakeside hideaway in the rural heart of the country – will be directly supporting tsunami relief efforts through the cost of their stay. Guests staying at the Barberyn Beach and Barberyn Reef resorts will also be supporting its Sahana Foundation to tackle the poverty of local villagers and the Bodhi School Programme.

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LONGEVITY MAGAZINE

Karmic paradise: writer Sue Derwent

A health hotspot with a difference, Barberyn Beach resort in Sri Lanka is home to the ancient practice of Ayurveda, advocating harmonious balance.

Back in 1968, long before Ayurveda started becoming popular in the west, Mr. Sudano Rodrigo used his foresight and founded Barberyn reef resort. It was the first resort in Sri Lanka to provide authentic Ayurvedic healing holiday and treatments to foreign guests. The Rodrigo family still runs the resort and recently opened the magnificent Barberyn beach resorts at Weligama, further south from the capital Colombo among the coastal Galle Road.

Places such as Barberyn have become increasingly popular just as Ayurveda and more holistic forms of medicine and health have gained credibility in the west. Ayurveda philosophy respect for human individuality and believe s that each persons health is made up of the harmonious interactions of the body, the mind and the living environment. At a quantum level, Ayurveda says that everyone person is made up of energy vibration at various levels and each is born with his or her own personal “blueprint” of energy which, if understood and kept in balance, allows the body to operate at its own optimal level, spiritually, mentally and physically.

The blueprint indicates each person’s unique body type or what some scientists are calling “biochemical individuality.” In Ayurveda one’s constitution or capacity for health is based on a particular relationship of three fundamental and vital energies or “doshas” known by their sanskrit names of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These doshas shape the unique physical and mental character of each person.

BANGKOK POST
Welligama Wellness Holiday: writer Chami Jotisalikorn (Excerpt from article)

On a spectacular beach in Sri Lanka an unusual healing resort offers more than a suntan. Chami Jotisilikorn reports on the amazing effects of an all-natural Ayurvedic holiday.

“This is my third time doing a detox holiday at Barberyn resorts, and what keeps me coming back, in addition to getting detoxed, is that I always meet interesting people on every visit.”

The resort in Weligama is the second property in the resort group. The original property is located up the coast in Beruwala, 80 km from Colombo. It was founded 36 years ago by Sudana Roderigo at a time when healing resorts were virtually unheard of. Over the years Barberyn has built a strong reputation and a loyal following of return guests through word of month.

Authentic Ayurveda healing is the total integration of individual diagnosis, daily traditional treatments by trained professionals, the correct diet and proper medications. These provide a holistic life style that’s best experienced in a dedicated environment. When this environment is a spectacular beach setting, it only helps to speed the total healing process.

THE ASIA SPA MAGAZINE
Serenity in Style Sri Lanka: writer Kate O’Brien (Excerpt from article)

From the moment you arrive, breathing in the aroma of fresh herbs, you feel the peace and calm flowing through yourself.

About 20 minutes drive south of Galle is the Barberyn Beach Ayurveda Resort in Weligama, a place to experience Ayurveda at its best. It opened in February last year and is the sister of Barberyn Reef Ayurveda Resort in Beruwala, pioneer of the Ayurveda resort concept in Sri Lanka more than twenty years ago.

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Location: Weligama, Sri Lanka
Airport: Colombo Bandaranike International

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Sri Lanka

Yala Village Hotel | Sri Lanka

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LUXURY JUNGLE RESORT | 40 CHALETS and ROOMS

Yala National Park and its surrounds in southern Sri Lanka are well known for its raw and untamed natural beauty that is literally breathtaking. Located far away from the bustling city of Colombo and any real civilisation, this place offers an ideal retreat to relax and recharge those creative juices. Yala is also for pleasure seekers, romantics, wild life lovers and photographers. Yala is all tropical dry-zone jungle right down to the beach, and the only other inhabitants you’re likely to find on the beach, is an elephant or a wild boar. The national park is also home to the world’s largest concentration of wild leopards, allowing photographers an ideal opportunity.

Yala Village Hotel is a stunningly luxurious hotel and the pride of all the hotels in the area. The hotel offers a wonderful combination of modern facilities amidst natural surroundings. The location of Yala Village Hotel adds to its attraction, as it is located far away from the anything amidst the untamed jungle, offer peaceful tranquillity in the most perfect natural beauty you will ever imagine. The Yala Village Hotel is 288 kilometres from the bustling capital Colombo.

Room Facilities at Yala Village Hotel in Yala

Yala Village Hotel has 40 luxuriously furnished and well equipped chalets or rooms complete with all modern amenities and services amidst the wild surroundings of the area. You can choose from a variety of rooms ranging from standard to deluxe, which includes Jungle cabanas, Beach bungalows and Suite Julian. The hotel is one of the most sought after in Sri Lanka and is specially designed for nature and wildlife lovers. The room facilities are also customized to meet the requirements of each and every type of guest. All rooms include air conditioning, television with satellite or cable connection, in house movies, mini bar, domestic and international direct-dial phone, tea and coffee, attached modern bath with hot and cold running water and a hairdryer.

Dining at Yala Village Hotel

The hotel boasts international chefs that serve up tantalizing traditional and continental dishes. The cuisine is very much international, but Sri Lankan specialties are also on the menu.

Other amenities and Services at Yala Village Hotel

Apart from the general hotel amenities and services mentioned above, the Yala Village Hotel also offers a guest laundry service and a three storied lounge overlooking the jungle and the coast.

Products and Services :Chalets possess a/c,Satellite TV with in-house movies, mini-bar, telephone and IDD facilities, hot/cold water, hair dryer and electric kettle with complimentary tea/coffee. Large swimming pool, dining room, three-storeyed lounge overlooking coast and jungle. Jungle trekking, birdwatching, beach hiking are among some of the activities offered.

Address: Kirinda, Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka.
Airport: Colombo International – 315km

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Sri Lanka

Windsor Hotel | Nuwara Eliya | Sri Lanka

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DELUXE HOTEL | 50 SUPERIOR ROOMS

The Windsor Hotel Nuwara Eliya is a comfortable family hotel offering lots of character and warmth. The Windsor is conveniently located just minutes from the Nuwara Eliya city centre. The service is attentive while being unobtrusive, which makes your stay all that more pleasant. The hotels gardens also provide a minature Eden, with a kaleidoscope of foliage, lush ferns and rock pools. The Rogue Elephant Bar is the ideal stopover for cocktails before dining at the hotels wonderful restaurant. The cuisine is delicious with both international and Sri Lanka dishes served up by the hotels resident chefs.

Nuwara Eliya is located at 6000ft above sea level and the weather is generally cold except in April through June when it’s very similar to an English spring day. There is a lot to do in Nuwara Eliya if you happen to visit in mid-April, when all the Colombo folks holiday in the hills to escape the heat of the low-country. April brings horse racing, various forms of motor racing, and several golf tournaments along with a lot of other festivities to the town.

Room Facilities at Windsor Hotel in Nuwara Eliya

The Windsor Hotel in Nuwara Eliya offers 50 extremely well decorated/appointed rooms which are also amongst the most comfortable at any hotel in Nuwara Eliya. The rooms have bothe central heating and air conditioning that can be controlled from within your room. There’s also direct dial international telephone, satellite/cable television and ensuite bathrooms.

Hotel Amenities and Services at Windsor Hotel in Nuwara Eliya

Dining is a major part of the hotel. The restaurants offer a wide range of both local and International cuisine. The Windsor also has a Business Centre that provides well equipped rooms to conduct corporate or group meeting. There are ample parking facilities and car hire or rental facilities are also available at the front desk. Beauty Parlour, sun decks, night club and the disco are a nice place to relax. The hotel also has golf, jogging and other games.

The tour desk will organise a round of golf, a trout fishing excursion, tea tasting at a local estate or tour further a field to other destinations within the country. Resident medical doctor, maid services and an elaborate laundry service is also included.

Bar

Beauty Salon / Manicure

Cocktail Lounge

Coffee Shop

Conference Facilities

Disco / Night Club

Laundry Cleaning Service

Limited Front Desk Hours

Maid Service

Medical Facilities

Parking / Car Park

Restaurant(s)

Secretarial Services

Tour Desk

The Windsor Hotel in Nuwara Eliya makes for a comfortable stay for both the leisure and corporate travellers.

Products and Services: 50 standard rooms nicely furnished; 5 superior rooms which are larger with telephone, music channels, shower/WC.

SPORTS and LEISURE: Golfing at the nearby golf course, jogging, hiking, trout fishing.

Address: Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Airport: Colombo International – 210km

COMPARE PRICES FOR THIS HOTEL FROM 30+ TOP SITES – CLICK HERE!

Belgium

Rezidor Announces two new hotels in Antwerp, Belgium

The Rezidor Hotel Group announces two new hotels in Antwerp: Both the Radisson SAS Astrid Hotel Antwerpen (247 rooms) and the Park Inn Antwerpen Astrid (59 rooms) will be operational in December 2008. Rezidor now has three hotels in the Belgian city – the company also manages the Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel with 174 rooms.

‘These new openings will strengthen our position in Belgium, and are in line with our strategy to grow into depth in our European home markets’, comments Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor.

The new hotels are a common project between Rezidor and Elbit Imaging. ‘Our goal is to help people enjoy life,’ says Motti Zisser, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Elbit Imaging. The two new properties in the heart of Antwerp are joining the Radisson Bucharest, another hotel of the Elbit Imaging who strongly believes in the Radisson approach, its philosophy, professionalism and strong development skills. With the new signing the group also wishes to express its confidence in Radisson and in the plans for future cooperation in major European cities.

The Radisson SAS Astrid Hotel Antwerpen is ideally located in the heart of the city – overlooking the Astrid Square and opposite the Central Station which is regarded as the finest example of railway architecture in Belgium.

The hotel, designed by the American architect Michael Graves and currently known under the name of Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp, is seen by many as a remarkable city landmark. The hotel is also home to the ‘Aquatopia oceanarium’, Antwerp’s most adventurous attraction showcasing over 10,000 exotic fish and reptiles (more than 250 species) in their natural environment. Besides 247 rooms, including 19 apartments, the property features a breakfast restaurant, a Restaurant-Bar-Brasserie, a five star fitness & health club, a ballroom of 589 square meters, 18 meeting rooms and a private parking.

The Park Inn Antwerpen Astrid is located on the Astrid Square just 50 meters from the Radisson SAS Astrid Hotel Antwerpen and is currently being renovated to offer 59 rooms, a breakfast restaurant, lobby lounge and a fitness room.

Antwerp is well known for its rich architecture, its flourishing diamond trade and as an inspiring fashion city cultivating many distinct fashion designers who enjoy international appreciation. Local attractions include famous museums like the Rubens House, The Royal Museum of Fine Arts, the Diamond Museum and the MoMu Fashion Museum. The bustling shopping streets De Keyserlei and Meir are only a few steps away from both hotels, and Antwerp International Airport is located 10 kilometres away, operating flights to and from England as main destination.

The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. The group features a portfolio of 352 hotels in operation and under development with 74,555 rooms in 53 countries.

England

Molinaro Koger to sell Le Méridien Hotel Piccadilly, London

Starman Hotels, a hotel investment joint venture between affiliates of Lehman Brothers and Starwood Capital Group, has assigned Molinaro Koger to sell the five star Le Méridien hotel on Piccadilly, in central London. The historic Grade II listed 267-room property will be sold subject to a management agreement with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and will continue to operate as a Le Méridien hotel.

‘Despite the financial uncertainty, there is a great deal of interest in this property, which is in a particularly coveted location,’ says Eric Kudlak, Managing Director Europe, Molinaro Koger.

‘While perceived as one of the world’s leading destinations, London presents investors with extremely high barriers to entry. Lack of potential development land limits the opportunity to enter the central London market and conversion opportunities are rare and usually demand major capital improvements.’

Recent operating statistics at Le Méridien indicate an occupancy level above 87 percent, with an ADR in excess of £213, resulting in a RevPAR of above £187. In 2007, the hotel had a strong year, generating £18 million in room revenues and more than £23.7 million in total revenues, with an NOI of £5.1 million.

While the property is positioned above its competitive set in room rate, there is potential to achieve a significant boost following a proposed room renovation. Other potential opportunities include a large and under-utilized meeting room overlooking Piccadilly on the first floor that could be converted to guest rooms, plans to construct an additional 15 premium rate guest rooms, also with views over Piccadilly, and an extensive vacant area in the subbasement that would be ideal for extra meeting space or a theatre.

The hotel is being sold with a leasehold. It has a restaurant and two bars, two lounges, a beauty salon, spa with indoor swimming pool, fitness center and a steam room. It also has more than 4,000 square feet of meeting space. Located in the heart of London’s West End, it is adjacent to the theatre district, Piccadilly and Oxford Street and is within easy-reach of the City.

According to Starman, the hotel’s competitive set includes the Sofitel St. James, Athenaeum Hotel, The Langham, The Sheraton Park Lane, the Cavendish and the Grosvenor House. The proposed investment will enable Le Méridien to increase rate and maintain occupancy, which currently runs at a 119 percent penetration level. Rate penetration hovers at 103 percent, which is expected to increase after the renovation.

In 2007 London attracted some 25.6 million overnight visitors, contributing £16.6 billion to estimated total tourism spend. The U.S. accounted for 13 percent of the market, Germany 8 percent, Australia and France each 7 percent.

About Molinaro Koger
Founded in 1959, Molinaro Koger (MK) is the world’s leading hotel-exclusive real estate brokerage, advisory and capital markets firm. MK provides clients with unparalleled service and commitment. During the past four decades the company has closed more than $15 billion in hotel property sales. Headquartered in Washington, DC, MK’s offices are located in Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco, London, Mumbai, Beijing, and Shanghai.

MK structures the transactions of luxury hotels and resorts, in addition to urban and mid-scale properties throughout the Americas, Europe, India, China and the Middle East. The firm closes, on average, more than 75 hotel transactions each year. Each member of the MK team posses a unique perspective and invaluable insight. Together they have leading-edge expertise in every aspect of the hospitality business.

For further information about this transaction and current hotel property offerings, please contact MK at 703.760.9600 or visit www.mkhotels.com.

Russia

Interstate Hotels and Resorts to manage Freestyle Park Resort…

Interstate Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:IHR) today announced that it has signed a contract to manage the hotel component of a 3,000,000 square-foot, futuristic indoor resort to be built outside Moscow. The mixed-used retail and entertainment complex to be named Freestyle Park will feature an indoor ski slope, apartments, bars, restaurants, movie theaters, an aqua park, a science museum, and a shopping center. The project is being developed by MT Development, with the hotel portion expected to open Spring 2011. It is Interstate’s tenth hotel management contract in Europe, eight of which are open and operating.

“The scale of this exciting new project surpasses anything being developed in Russia today,” said Thomas F. Hewitt, Interstate’s chief executive officer. “We have significant experience operating hotels in mixed-use developments and have built a proven track record in this specialised niche. In addition, we plan to take advantage of the operating synergies and economies of scale that result from our extensive knowledge of Russian hospitality.”

“MT Development is a well regarded, Moscow-based developer with seven successful years of commercial and recreational real estate project development experience in Russia, and we look forward to building a relationship with them,” said Henry L. Ciaffone, president of international operations and development at Interstate. “We have established a solid operating team in Moscow over the past 13 years, and have a substantial network of local contacts. We continue to focus on international growth through third-party management contracts, and our current pipeline is quite active.”

“Freestyle Park will become a dream destination in Russia with the highest level of service for its guests,” said Alexei Sidnev, managing partner, MT Development. “We selected Interstate because of their remarkable track record and quality of service, significant operating experience in Moscow and familiarity with the complexities of mixed-use developments. They have a well-established reputation here as an independent third-party operator and are one of only a handful of firms that could handle a project of this size and scope.”

The site of the proposed Freestyle Park is located in southwest Moscow, adjacent to the Moscow Ring Road, along the Kievskoe Highway, one of the key arteries entering the city. The property is within minutes of the Vnukovo Airport and 20 minutes from downtown Moscow.

The development plan includes a 420,000 square-foot ski arena, 2,300 feet in length with a vertical drop of 265 feet, a 312,000 square-foot entertainment zone, 162,000 square feet of retail, a 205,000 square-foot hotel component with approximately 300 rooms, and residential units on 250,000 square feet.

Among the upscale hotel’s amenities are a spa, restaurant and bars, and 10,800 square feet of conference facilities. Interstate also will provide hotel services in the adjoining residential wing. Residential owners will have the opportunity to participate in a hotel rental pool, which would be managed by Interstate.

Interstate Hotels & Resorts has ownership interests in 57 hotels and resorts, including seven wholly owned assets. Together with these properties, the company and its affiliates manage a total of 227 hospitality properties with approximately 46,500 rooms in 37 states, the District of Columbia, Russia, Mexico, Belgium, Canada and Ireland. Interstate Hotels & Resorts also has contracts to manage 17 to be built hospitality properties with approximately 4,300 rooms.