The DestinAsian correspondents visit dozens of new properties across Asia and Oceania and select only those that, in their esteemed opinion, excel in terms of design, location, service and value. A spot on the Luxe List represents DestinAsian’s seal of approval. On newsstands internationally and available online at www.destinasian.com, the list includes such recognized other properties such as, Armani Hotel Dubai, Aman Resorts Hangzhou, The Peninsula Shanghai, Ritz Carlton Shanghai, Leela Palace Kempinski Udaipur, Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul.

In less than a year since opening last December 2009, The Villa Bentota by Paradise Road has had the great honour of representing Sri Lanka on such internationally recognized and respected listings as both the Conde Nast US Hot List 2010 in April and now DestinAsian 2010 Luxe List. This is a huge achievement for Paradise Road, given that they  ventured into the hotel trade only as recently as December 2007 with the opening of their first boutique hotel, Paradise Road Tintagel, in Colombo.

Within just 5 months of opening her doors, a review of the Paradise Road The Villa Bentota was featured in Conde Nast UK’s April edition and has since also been included in Harpers Bazaar’s UK August edition on the Sri Lankan Hot List as being the ‘Best Boutique Retreat’.

Located less than 1.5 hrs drive from Colombo, Paradise Road The Villa Bentota has also become a popular evening haunt  with diners  looking to enjoy The Villas beautiful beach setting and a spot of fine-dining at The Villa Café. Last week, The Villa Café was informed that it had been voted one of Asia’s finest restaurants and will be featured in The Miele Guide 2010-2011.

With the war coming to an end in Sri Lanka and development underway throughout the country, there is a positive energy buzzing and the sharp increase in tourist arrivals – 2011 is looking upbeat for all associated with the Tourist trade, and like everyone in the industry Paradise Road group of companies is looking forward to the positive change.

Paradise Road The Villa Bentota is housed in Mohotti Walauwa, an ancient ancestral home which was originally converted into Sri Lanka’s first boutique hotel in the 1970s by world renowned Sri Lankan Architect Geoffrey Bawa. Thereafter it changed hands several times before Shanth Fernando, designer and proprietor of Paradise Road, refurbished and extended the property to re-open it as Paradise Road The Villa Bentota.

With 7 rooms, 7 suites and the grand Mohotti Suite (which was rated the islands best value indulgence by Conde Nast  Traveler US), the hotel now houses a The Villa Spa run by Spa Ceylon Ayurveda offering luxury ayurvedic treatments, The Villa Shop, a Paradise Road gift store – The Villa Café and The Villa Gallery, exhibiting Sri Lankan contemporary art for sale.

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