Lighthouse Hotel to expand

By Dinali Goonewardene

Lighthouse Hotels is to construct 15 to 20 new rooms, a new restaurant, bar and an extension to the spa, officials said yesterday.  

Architects are drawing up plans for the extension, which will be carried out in the off-peak season, and the plans will be ready in two to three weeks, company officials told the Daily FT. Refurbishments have already commenced.

The hotel’s peak season is from December to April and guests are primarily from the German and UK markets. Occupancy in the year ending March 2011 was 72% up from 63% the previous year and despite reduced occupancy levels in the financial year 2012 room rates have been increased.

Room rates are $ 200 and go up to $ 300 in the season for bed and breakfast.

Lighthouse was constructed in 1996, has been in existence for 15 years and conforms to the standards of small luxury hotels of the world, its annual report stated.

The hotel’s revenue grew 23% to Rs. 188 million in the six months to September 2011 and profits jumped 248% to Rs. 6.9 million. In the year ending March 2011, turnover was Rs. 421 million up from Rs. 304 million the previous year.

Jetwing Hotels Management Services has a 24.2% shareholding in the hotel.