Oasis Ayurveda Beach Resort Hambantota opens for locals after three decades

Thursday, 25 February 2021 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Owner Sumith Ekanayake

GM Dinesh Dasanayake

Oasis Ayurveda Beach Resort Hambantota (4-star) will open to accommodate local guests, after a lapse of 30 years.

Oasis Ayurveda Beach Resort General Manager Dinesh Dasanayake said that the hotel maintained over 90% occupancy throughout its operations mainly due to its unparalleled European standard of service.

“However with the COVID-19 pandemic the hotel operations came to a standstill and the management then decided to reinvest in completely refurbishing and adding more features to the hotel. As there is a growing demand for weddings and large conferences we invested around Rs. 400 million for a 300 cover banquet hall with modern facilities. The construction began last year and over 50% has been completed and this would be ready by the end of the year. Due to numerous requests especially from families and the corporate sector we have now decided to open the hotel to locals as well,” Dasanayake stated.

The property owned by diversified entrepreneur Sumith Ekanayake, engaged in export of virgin coconut oil to Japan and other businesses focusing on the agro sector, diversified 30 years ago and opened this property. It was the first purposely built largest four star Ayurveda hotel in Sri Lanka and mainly targeted the German tourists.

The Oasis Ayurveda Beach Resort now offers two suites, 10 chalets and 38 superior rooms with balconies, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, cable TV, safety deposit boxes, mini bar and host of other facilities. It also has a private beach, a large swimming pool with a special kiddie’s area and host of sports activities that include fitness facilities, squash, badminton and tennis court pool table and many other services. Featuring a bar and a pool bar the 4-star hotel has a 24-hour front desk, room service and a children’s playground.

Employed in the hotel sector for over 23 years Dasanayake started as a housekeeper with Amaya Lake and worked with many local star class hotels before moving to Dubai, Africa and the Maldives. Due to the Southern Highway exit 10 minutes away from the hotel they receiving many corporate MICE events for which they offer two halls.

He said the hotel is also popular among families due to the facilities and special rates and also due to nearby attractions such as Yala, Bundala and Uda Walawa National Parks, Ridiyagama Safari Park and other places of historic interest for which hotel arranges excursions.

He said that with the C-19 pandemic there is a demand for wellness tourism and they hope to offer part of the hotel under tight health guidelines for long stay foreigners after the impact on the pandemic reduces and the vaccination process is fully completed.