Picturesque Clingendael reopens its doors for guests since COVID

As economies reopen, activity is spreading outward from city centres. Clingendael boutique hotel is among the many destination-feature properties that were forced to pull back its operations due to COVID-19 and resulting variants. At the time the management made a policy decision to halt operations and for the first time since the pandemic has been declared reopen at a private event this November. 

Located in the Kandyan hills on the premises of the Victoria Golf & Country Resort, Clingendael has been long patronised by travelers worldwide in pursuit of pleasures of cultural expression and a colonial ethos that encapsulates artistic heritage as well as indulging in more decadent activities including golf, exhilarating watersports, treks through the tea hills, guided tours of Sri Lanka’s most iconic cultural sites, yoga and meditation. 

The location has been earmarked for exclusive weddings and receptions, romantic getaways, private family gatherings and intimate events of small groups that avail themselves of the privacy the tasteful and dignified mansion has to offer. With suites averaging 1000 square feet, the property is nestled on the pinnacle of a majestic hill, overlooking wide and sweeping vistas of breathtaking surroundings including the Victoria reservoir and the Victoria par 73 championship golf course with the Knuckles mountain range in the horizon and has been referred to by Lonely Planet as a “a universe in itself”. 

During the reopening event Director Robert Kokshoorn remarked that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the operation regarded health and safety of guests and staff to be paramount and chose to remain closed for business and retained its longstanding service personnel. He further added that even for this debt free operation it was not without challenges to continue to retain its cadre while ensuring immaculate maintenance of the property which is now finally ready to open its doors to travellers and guests.

Kokshoorn referred to the property as a labour of love in its design, architecture and collective experiences that led to its completion and emphasised the commitment of the management to maintain the highest service quality standards in its operations. He continues to be assured by the positive and complimentary reviews of guests and visitors which he is both proud of and encouraged by. He also invited the gathering to visit the Clingendael website and avail themselves of early bird offers. 

Clingendael continues to work closely with premium service providers and exclusive travel agents worldwide and maintains strong industry relations and is optimistic of a stable visitor flow post operations being declared reopen. 

The hotel is registered with SLTDA and compliant with the latest health regulations and guidelines issued by the regulators and follows best in class hygienic standards.