‘Devon Rest’ Kandy re-opens after refurbishment, brands as luxury city hotel

Wednesday, 29 May 2024 01:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Director Ameesha Weeraratne

Pining another luxury city hotel property to the Kandy hospitality basket ‘Devon Rest’ was re-opened with a total refurbishment recently.

Owned and operated by the Weeraratne family owned diversified Devon Group, ‘Devon Rest’ was first opened 1991 across the Kandy Lake as a multi-functional resort to cater to both locals and foreigners. The hotel was partly shut down during the COVID pandemic and it re-opened, with a new look as a 26-room property with the new concept, Luxury City Hotel.

“We have done a total refurbishment to the hotel with eye catching interior design and have introduced several new luxuries with up-to-date amenities and have also included two suites,” said Director, Ameesha Weeraratne, the mentor behind the re-opening of the hotel. He said that he wanted to elevate the hotel to a four-star Luxury City hotel and to meet this standard several new features such as family rooms, non-smoking rooms, Facilities for disabled guests, tea coffee making facility, mini bar and free Wi-Fi, were introduced. All 26 air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a balcony with a lake view. The main attraction of the hotel is their roof top area providing a birds-eye view of the serene Kandy city with outdoor dining facilities that could cater to around 30 guests. “It can also be hired for private and corporate functions and we also have plans to increase capacity,” he added.

“We have a modern restaurant and café for both in house and outside guests and have also created a special elevated private dining area for four guests. This whole area also offers to host special functions for around 60 guests.” He said that with tourism picking up they are also maintaining high occupancy and upcoming winter bookings are very positive especially from the UK and European market. In addition the hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service, currency exchange for guests and Airport shuttle service. Devon Group also owns and operates the five star Grand Kandyan hotel that has two Presidential and three honeymoon suites, 78 deluxe and 17 slandered rooms, several ballrooms that could cater to over 2,500 and a multi-purpose conference hall, three restaurants and a swimming pool.