Centara set to open second resort in Sri Lanka

Centara Hotels & Resorts of Thailand will soft open its second resort in Sri Lanka in spring of this year.

Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa Sri Lanka is set on the Bentota Peninsula, at the south of the island,

with the Bentota River on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other.

The resort is owned by Softlogic Properties and will be operated by Centara under a management contract.

The resort’s arrival lounge is situated at Aluthgama, on the inland side of the river, with guests travelling across the water by barge, a journey that takes five minutes.

Centara’s first property in Sri Lanka, Centara Passikudah Resort & Spa, is located on the east coast of the island and opened early in 2013.

“Bentota is one of the most exciting new destinations in Sri Lanka, and our two resorts give us a very significant profile in this strongly growing market,” said Chris Bailey, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Centara Hotels & Resorts.

“The Indian Ocean is a highly important part of our development strategy, and Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa is an outstanding property that will have both a romantic appeal for couples and lots of leisure attractions for families.”

Centara’s area general manager for Sri Lanka Alexandre Glauser says that the Bentota Peninsula offers a unique holiday experience.

“There is the unspoiled charm of the river with its mangroves and wildlife, there is the classic golden tropical beach with calm seas and all kinds of water sports to enjoy, and of course there is all the colour and history of Sri Lanka itself,” he explained.

“For guests to Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa, the scene is set with the charming ride across the river on board our ferry, and no matter which room or suite they are staying, the view for guests will be stunning.”

The resort has 165 rooms and suites, including family residences with bunk beds for the children, with all the accommodation featuring views across the river, or across the beach and the ocean.

Restaurant facilities will include Café Bem, serving Sri Lankan and international cuisines along with buffets; 360 Seafood, which specialises in locally sourced seafood; and Ceylon Club, which will have a gourmet selection of Ceylon teas.

Spa Cenvaree will offer traditional Sri Lankan and Indian treatments along with its range of signature Thai therapies, there is a fitness centre, an oceanfront swimming pool with Jacuzzi and a children’s pool, a water sports centre, and a Kids’ Club with separate zones for the youngsters and the teens.

With its own pleasure launch Wayz, the resort will also offer dinner cruises along the Bentota River.

The resort is just a few minutes from Aluthgama railway station. Colombo is reached in less than two hours by road and Colombo Bendaranaike International Airport is 100 kilometres away from the resort.