Sri Lanka and the Maldives are to see a substantial expansion in upmarket hotels over the next six months. The Galle Face Hotel in Sri Lankan capital Colombo has just opened a ‘hotel within a hotel’ called The Regency. The $7 million project, officially opening in November, aims to be a boutique hotel within the bigger property.
A 20-room hotel is also being built in Sigiriya. The location is a 200-acre site in the tea plantation country, with Sanasuma Developments ploughing $3.5 million into the project.
Meanwhile, the former home of Geoffrey Bawa, dubbed the ‘father of Asian architecture’ is being turned into a boutique property. The 25-acre estate called Lunuganga, on the southwest coast of the island at Bentota, will open later this year and will operate between December and April.
Tropical Locations managing director David Kevan said: “Sri Lanka has always been perceived as being at the cheaper end of the Asia market. It still offers some of the best bargains, with people paying considerably less than if they went to Mauritius or the Seychelles. However, the quality might not be as good.”
But he added: “Sri Lanka has started developing some attractive boutique properties. They are beautiful but small, about 20 to 30 rooms, appealing to those that want a luxurious, low-rise, authentic experience.”
Banyan Tree group is getting in on the act with the opening of Angsana City Club and Spa in Colombo. Per Aquum Resort and Spas, which operates Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives, will also open The Fortress next year in Sri Lanka.
The property, just outside Galle, will also include a spa and its design is influenced by an old Dutch fort in the town. There will be a 24-hour butler service, rotating beds and floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Kuoni product manager Catherine England said: “There’s definitely a need for more higher-end product. Various chains, such as Per Aquum, had recognised this before the tsunami.
In the Maldives, One&Only Kanuhura is to reopen mid-October, after a four-month revamp. The 18 Water Villas and two Grand Water Villas now have extended over-water verandas, as well as an expanded deck area. There are new villa entrance walkway jetties as well as renovated interiors. The bars and restaurants also have a new look, including a freestanding wine cellar and barbecue station.
The Anantara Fushi resort and spa is also due to open next January. It follows on from the reopening of the Hilton Maldives resort, which has refurbished its beach and deluxe beach villas, as well as adding 21 spa water villas.
Soneva Gili has reopened after a six-month closure following the tsunami, although there is some minor work still to be completed. The Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi in the Maldives opened on August 1.
A further 10 resorts have been given approval for development in the destination.
