Avani Bentota Resort & Spa wins Agoda.com’s 2012 Gold Circle Award

Agoda.com, Asia’s leading hotel booking site, has bestowed its coveted 2012 Gold Circle Award on Avani Bentota Resort & Spa, for exemplifying ‘a hotel that leads by example in the competitive hospitality industry’ and as a mark of excellence in online distribution. Agoda is Asia’s leading and fastest growing online hotel reservation service.

The Avani Bentota Resort & Spa is designed by world-renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, who took inspiration from an 18th Century Dutch village to create a stunning resort on Bentota beach, along Sri Lanka’s golden mile. Its facilities include 75 guest rooms and suites, three bars and two restaurants, accompanied by private dining options on the beach and an exclusive wine cellar.

Avani Bentota Resort and Spa is a strategic partnership between Serendib Leisure, a subsidiary of the diversified Hemas Group of Companies, and Minor International, the Thailand-based hotel group, which operates the Anantara brand of hotels. The two respected leisure operators have come together to create Avani Bentota Resort & Spa as a leisure property that delivers just the superior hospitality experience guests seek globally.

Ranil de Silva – Managing Director, Serendib Leisure, commented: “The ‘Avani’ experience is already carving out a distinct identity and enabling us to partner a brand that spearheads a new ethos in the hospitality sector. This Gold Circle Award from Agoda is a testimonial to the distinctive leisure experience we offer. ‘Avani’ stems from the Sanskrit word for ‘earth’, a meaning which is expressed through a grounded personality and a clear sense of style. Avani’s service ethic places a high value on a genuine welcome through staff who respond to each guest’s individual needs, thereby ensuring memorable and meaningful experiences. Our Avani brand of hospitality is irresistible to anyone who enters our portals.”

Part of the Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group, Agoda.com, Asia’s leading hotel booking site, launched the Gold Circle Awards in 2009. These awards are given to Agoda.com partners who are committed to accommodating the unique needs of the online booking industry, which has seen significant and steady global growth as technology continues to make online booking faster, easier and more convenient.

This years winners were hotels known for their commitment to online revenue management and consistently offering great value at a fair price to Agoda.com customers. New judging criteria takes into account aggregate scores for customer reviews, top-performing properties, competitive pricing and showing an understanding of the complex business dynamics that define the industry.