Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo triumphs with Best Five Star City Hotel award

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo last night grabbed the coveted Best Five Star City Hotel Award at the Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2010.

Heritance Ahungalle won the best five star resort award whilst best 4 star was Heritance Tea Factory Nuwara Eliya and best Three Star award went to Palm Garden Village Hotel Anuradhapura. Galle Face Hotel won the iconic Heritage Hotel award.

Best Host Hotel Spa was won by Cinnamon Lakeside Azmaara Spa and Best Host Hotel Culture was won by the Cinnamon Grand’s unique Nugagama.

Serene Pavilions won Boutique Hotel of the Year and Anura Lokuhettty won Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year.

In total over 40 awards under various categories were presented at the packed and glittering ceremony at which Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardhana was the Chief Guest whilst Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Dr. Nalaka Godahewa was also present.

Tourist hotels were evaluated on their contribution to the tourism industry in Sri Lanka, effectiveness of business strategies, product quality, professional development of staff, sustainability, innovation and financial viability amongst other criteria.

The independent panel of judges consisted of Ranjith Perera, Tharanga Gunasekara, Dusty Alahakoon, Dr. A. C. D. Silva and M. Lantra, whilst the jury consisted of H. M. S. Samaranayake, Professor Uditha Liyanage and Joseph Manoharan Handy. The judging process included an inspection of the hotels by a separate panel. 

Ken wins Legends Award

Icononic senior business leader Ken Balendra of JKH fame was bestowed with the Tourism Legends award last night