(by Maureen Perera) Set within the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka and nestling on the banks of the scenic Giritale reservoir is the Deer Park Hotel, which as it name suggests is a location of serenity with an ambience for unwinding one’s stressed condition.

It is situated not far from Polonnaruwa. The immediate overall impression one gets on alighting on the scene is an eco-friendly atmosphere. But the vital element of the hospitality trade, customer care, aided by modern luxury creature comfort facilities, is conspicuous.

However, the concept of the hotel complex design is unique. It is the ingenuity of conserving the environment without contaminating or destroying the natural resources of the surroundings. One gets the feeling of the splendour of the jungle fastness isolation, yet not missing out on five-star amenities.

The hotel complex is owned and managed by Jinasena Management Service (Pvt.) Ltd. It consists of 88 pretty cottages, with all modern amenities under a canopy of tropical trees and birdsong in the air. In fact, Deer Park is a present day Shangrila – a veritable jungle hideout, surrounded by a wealth of natural resources – three wild life parks with elephants, leopards and deer roaming at leisure and an abundance of bird life.

The eco-friendly Deer Park Hotel is not far from the ruins of the fabled cities of ancient Sri Lanka – Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla. It also must be stressed that the 88 deluxe cottages are equipped with 5-star conveniences.

What is more there is also a presidential suite with its own swimming pool. Hotel facilities include a spectacular 3-tier swimming pool resembling a jungle pond encased in verdant vegetation, three streams, four natural ponds, a gymnasium and fitness centre, basketball court, volleyball court, squash court, sauna centre, a business conference centre, coffee shop and lounge, four well-stocked bars and a doctor on a 24- hour call.

The service provided is top class and taking into account all other facilities. Deer Park Hotel provides, Green Globe, UK – an hotel evaluator company – presented it with the prestigious Golden Globe award.

The men behind the scenes which make this eco-friendly hotel resort tick are Chairman/Managing Director, Jinasena Management Services (Pvt.) Ltd., Dr. Nihal Jinasena and Director/General Manager of both Deer Park Hotel and the Royal Lotus, Ravi Gooneratne, both of whom have been exposed to immense international hoteliering.

They have given Sri Lanka hoteliering a new dimension and perspective by bringing the eco-system of the Dry Zone in all its freshness and ‘feel’ into their concept of the hospitality trade.

Deer Park then meets the needs of the present generation of gearing a refreshing holiday jaunt without losing the basic creature comforts of modern living

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