Saturday 20 August 2016

SRI LANKA: Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa

Looking for a new and luxurious resort on an exotic island? Shangri-La Hambantota Resort & Spa is opening on 1 June 2016. Located on the southern coast of lush and tropical Sri Lanka, the 300-room resort will be the first to have its own 18-hole golf course.

The resort’s 26 suites come with private butler service, views of lush landscaped gardens and an artisan village, where the local craftsmen create and sell pottery, ceramics and wood carvings.

Sri Lanka is a scenic destination with fabulous cultural attractions. It’s a fast-growing destination in the Indian Ocean and has lots of natural attractions too.

Hambantota is situated near several wildlife parks, where you can see wild elephants, rare and exotic birds. And if you’re lucky you might spot a Sri Lankan leopard.

Shangri-La Hambantota Resort & Spa will be the first international luxury resort in Hambantota.

Fly to Colombo International Airport and transfer via Shangri-La’s private luxury coach to the resort. It’s a scenic drive along the coastline.

The nearest airport to the resort is Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (35 kilometres from the resort).

Fly Dubai and Abu Dhabi-based Rotana Jet, fly direct to this airport. Cinnamon Air and Sri Lankan Airlines operate regular domestic flights from Colombo.

This is the first resort in Sri Lanka with its own golf course. Shangri-La’s Golf and Country Club is an eco-friendly 18-hole golf course amidst a coconut palm plantation.

The landscaped par-70 course was designed by Rodney Wright and three zones. The Dune Area has lovely ocean views whilst the Sapphire Mine provides challenging water features.

Water sports on the lake, archery, darts, barefoot bowling and table tennis are some of the activities available.

Explore the Humanaya blow holes, a secluded turtle beach and traditional fishing villages nearby. Or take a trip to the Bandagiriya Temple (the highest peak in the Hambantota district). The temple dates back to the second century BC.

The resort has a “Cool Zone” Kids Club, with daily supervised activities. There’s a seven-metre-high trapeze, drone-flying area and sporting tournaments.

Choices are the all-day dining restaurant, Bojun Hala, for Sri Lankan and international buffet, Sera (lemongrass) for hawker-style stalls, and the Beach Grill, for comfort food. Giman Hala (a place to rest) and The 19th Hole Bar and Lounge will also have a selection of refreshments. There will be healthy food and a selection of local teas in the Lobby Lounge, which will also be a romantic place for sunset cocktails.

The 12-room CHI The Spa at Shangri-La has a menu of Chinese and Ayurvedic treatments using 100 per cent natural products. There’s a Health Club with state-of-the-art fitness facilities, a dive centre, 30m lap pool, freeform pool, tennis court and retail facilities.

The resort has a multi-purpose events space (over 2,525 square metres) designed for hosting conferences, meetings, weddings and social celebrations. Outdoor pavilions with the capacity to host up to 1,000 guests offer an inspired setting for any event.

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