Cinamon hotel
group said that Cinnamon Bentota Beach, a historically significant hotel
designed by Geoffrey Bawa in 1967 that helped inspire an architectural style
known as tropical modernism, has reopened after its restoration. "Bawa was
able to establish an experience that was rooted in place and time, using the
available art skills and crafts to offer an experience exclusive to Sri
Lanka," said Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts. The hotel is situated on an
11-acre property across from the Indian Ocean and Bentara River. It is a hotel
of 159 rooms, with 16-suites and 144-sized offices.
"Cinnamon
Hotels & Resorts decided to restore and preserve the building, due to its
importance in the world's architectural history." Bawa himself planned and
contributed to the spread of buildings across South and South East Asia in the
style of tropical modernism. Initially Bentota Beach, the hotel is now known as
Cinnamon Bentota Beach, under the John Keells group name, which runs a network
of 15 Sri Lankan and Maldivian hotels.
"We commenced
this project eighteen months ago, and set a tight timeline for completing
it," said Krishan Balendra, chairman of the John Keells Group. "I am
glad to say that what we have is a hotel restored to the original feel of the
creation of Geoffrey Bawa.”
"Bentota
Beach Hotel, as it was then known, as we all know, has been an icon in Sri
Lanka, and we are eager to share the history and heritage value of this hotel
with our guests." The hotel highlights creations by local artists as well
as works by Bawa's associates.
Ismet Raheem's
paintings (artist, architect, and author) decorate the lounge walls while
seventeen suites containing local artists' art and creations correspond to each
suite's name. Eight artists were commissioned to represent a theme and document
what they thought the suite name meant for them, resulting in each suite
telling a story about local people and local languages.
The restoration
involved reinstalling Ena de Silva's ceiling at the entrance, Barbara Sansoni
and Barefoot's hand-loom fabric design, the recreation of the lounge and the bar
ceiling with the assistance of a designer Marie Gnanaraj.
OSL Take: As
stated by Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Minister earlier this month,
opportunities are bountiful in the country’s tourism industry. A
business/investor seeking an excellent business opportunity in Sri Lanka could
explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, which is
recording continuous growth and poised for further growth. Sri Lanka is open to
the latest developments in the global leisure and hospitality sectors. Looking
at the cross-section of tourists arriving in Sri Lanka, it is clear that the
country could venture further into new tourism concepts as well.
Further, the
government of Sri Lanka has already introduced many measures to help the
tourism sector bounce back after the Easter Sunday attacks. Also, tourism
authorities have already commenced drawing up short, and long term plans to
promote Sri Lanka in the global platform.
However, as
stated by the Tourism Minister, foreigners have already started to arrive in
Sri Lanka. Considering all these factors, foreign businesses/investors could
explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
VBS/AT/27022020/Z_TB7
No comments:
Post a Comment