Sri Lanka’s first women-led resort “Amba Yaalu Kandalama” opens

Friday, 17 January 2025 00:08 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

 


By Divya Thotawatte 

Inspired by the iconic Sri Lankan novel Amba Yahaluwo (1957, “mango friends”) by TB Ilangaratne and the golden era of local cinema, the country’s first entirely women-led resort, Amba Yaalu, was opened recently in Kandalama. 

Located within a picturesque mango plantation featuring 457 TJC mango trees along the banks of Kandalama Lake, Amba Yaalu Kandalama not only honours the literary and cinematic heritage of Sri Lanka, but also nods to the “mango friends” theme, reflecting the country’s natural gifts, arts, hospitality and culture at the same time. The resort is the latest addition to the Thema Collection, a family-owned company comprising boutique hotels, resorts and retreats across Sri Lanka. 

Speaking at the resort’s inauguration, Thema Collection Chairman Chandra Wickramasinghe said, “This is Sri Lanka’s first hotel which will have a fully female management as well as a majority of female staff in Sri Lanka. We’ve always been working at Thema Collection to see how we can empower the women who work with us and the women in the industry, and we thought it will be a groundbreaking moment to create this concept, creating a breathing ground for the next leaders in hospitality in Sri Lanka.”

Amba Yaalu Kandalama stands out for its groundbreaking commitment to women empowerment where its female leadership becomes a significant step towards addressing gender disparities in the hotel industry. 

Amba Yaalu Kandalama Resort Manager Jeewanthi Adhikari highlighted how her journey to becoming the Manager of the resort had been an empowering yet challenging one that had helped her break barriers that limited the careers of women in the hospitality industry. Despite societal and familial expectations that often-steered women away from male-dominated fields, their experiences in the industry and their current work with Amba Yaalu have enabled them to unlock their true potential and thrive, she said. 

“However, it was challenging to find skilled labour. When it comes to a 100% women staff, it’s even more challenging. But still we approached the universities and places where they produce skilled labour for particular departments and we hired and trained them,” Adhikari shared. 

To maintain a majority of women in their staff, the resort’s facilities include recruiting and training women to develop their skills in different areas of hospitality. Moreover, there is a focus on attitudinal change and supporting long-term growth of those women in hospitality. 

A harmonious design with tasteful interiors 

The resort is not only a movement towards more Sri Lankan women in hospitality, but also a unique experience for all nature, art and culture-lovers. 

The resort has been designed with great care and respect for its natural surroundings, showcasing thoughtful design and eco-conscious architecture. Its open and airy interiors exude a rustic charm while creating a deep connection with nature and offering guests a tranquil and rejuvenating experience. 

Amba Yaalu Kandalama features 33 rooms, each spacious and designed with subtle refinement. The rooms also offer panoramic views of the Kandalama Lake, the mango garden that surrounds the resort and the majestic Sleeping Soldier Mountain. 

Every corner of the resort showcases a careful curation of heritage decor that blends Sri Lankan art and culture with its natural surroundings. From towering Vesak lanterns that greet you at the entrance to old Sri Lankan movie posters and a collection of traditional Yaka masks (Sri Lankan mythical demons) that decorate its Yaka-themed bar, Amba Yaalu Kandalama becomes a vibrant sanctuary that fuses modern luxury with cultural heritage. 

Combining film and food, two staples of our culture, Amba Yaalu Kandalama further adorns its main restaurant with a collection of vintage film equipment from Sri Lankan cinema, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the cinematic history of the country before enjoying their meals. 

Dining at the resort

The resort’s main restaurant “Bioscope” offers guests an expansive spread of various Sri Lankan and western culinary delights, along with sweeping views of the Kandalama Lake and the mango garden. The resort also includes a vegan/vegetarian restaurant which offers an array of cuisine, thoughtfully prepared to highlight the freshest local ingredients and flavours. Guests can enjoy their meals in the open-air restaurant with tranquil views of the mango garden. “Wawe Langa” is a BBQ terrace overlooking Kandalama Lake. 

The signature “Yaka Bar” includes a diverse selection of local cocktails and liquors, expertly crafted with a touch of Sri Lankan flair and some, uniquely named after Sri Lankan yakas. Guests can also enjoy pastries and light bites for a relaxed experience throughout the day.

Activities and experiences 

Amba Yaalu Kandalama also offers Ayurvedic treatments at the Ayurvedic Spa, yoga sessions on the terrace, table tennis and pool table facilities, and the “Infinity Pool” overlooking the Kandalama lake and the mango garden. 

For adventure enthusiasts, the resort offers a range of curated experiences, including boat rides on the Kandalama Lake, birdwatching tours, scenic e-bike rides, hot air balloon rides, kayaking, trekking, village walks, and cooking demonstrations. 

Additionally, the resort’s dedication to sustainability is evident with the TJC Mango Farm offering insight into sustainable farming practices and biodiversity conservation. The TJC Mango, known for being one of the world’s biggest and juiciest mangoes, was first introduced in the early 1990s as a hybrid mango by Sri Lankan entrepreneur and agriculturalist Tom Ellawala, together with Filipino agricultural expert Dr. Juan Carlos. 

Amba Yaalu Kandalama also supports renewable energy initiatives, with 157 solar panels installed across 12,000 Square feet, generating 140.40kW of power. This rooftop solar farm provides the majority of the property’s needs, powering the resort through sustainable means. 

The resort also features a Sri Lankan gift shop with locally made products and items to empower and support the craftspeople and sellers of the area. 

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