Continental to close for Rs. 1.8 b upgrade

Ceylon Continental Hotel yesterday announced that the country’s first five-star will be closed from February for a major refurbishment spanning 10 months.

The owning company, Hotel Services PLC, is investing Rs 1.8 billion into the development, which will transform the property into a fully refurbished 229 room hotel, making it one of the best five-star hotels in Colombo.

The extensive refurbishment program will mean that the hotel will close from 1 February 2012 and it is proposed that the new‐look property will re‐open in October 2012.

As part of the refurbishment, the rooms will be completely revamped. The standard room designs will result in a soothing earth tone colour scheme, with luxurious white marble bathrooms and soft cream furniture giving the rooms a sense of spaciousness with an opulent touch.

The lobby and main entrance will also be renovated to a grander scale with an impressive entrance gallery and lobby lounge with unsurpassed sea views.

Another area of the hotel that will be changing quite dramatically is the pool area, which will now feature an infinity edged swimming pool that would give the illusion of it projecting into the vast ocean.

An added feature that the public can expect is the highly anticipated Sky Bar, at the roof top. This bar would offer a chic outdoor space that embraces the sky and the sea, all at the same time.

Designed with frameless glass balustrades on a timber deck, the Sky Bar would feature an iconic circular bar at the centre, which would glow at night. The bar would provide guests with a view like no other and be the new and hip entertainment spot in the city.

Introduction of new restaurants and cafes featuring an exciting selection of tasty treats to satisfy any craving will be an added facet.

In line with the fresh and revitalised start, the hotel will be given a completely new appearance. Elements of neo‐classical architecture will be embraced through the property with the aesthetics of days gone by and the added lavishness of today’s lifestyle.

A complete renovation of this building would ensure an overall change in the ambience of spaces as well as the spatial progression experienced by the visitor. All in all, this property will stand as one of timeless character.