Beach life beckons at Jetwing Lagoon and Jetwing Yala

Monday, 20 April 2015 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo and Jetwing Yala, Yala, two of Sri Lanka’s most well known properties, now unveil a further addition to their already diverse offering: beach access, complete with comforts such as beach bars, lounge areas and a swimming pool. Known as Sri Lanka’s premier hospitality brand, Jetwing transformed the formerly known Blue Lagoon into the resort it is today – a sizeable investment in a piece of tourism history, due to its status as the country’s first resort and also Geoffrey Bawa’s first resort design.

In the transformation, Jetwing ensured that the late master’s vision remained untouched, and expanded upon with 55 rooms and the longest pool in the area at a 100 m in length. Overlooking the calm waters of the Negombo lagoon, the property has gone on to be ranked No. 3 on TripAdvisor for hotels in Negombo. The recently developed beach access lies opposite the hotel, next to Thalahena Villas by Jetwing and features another pool at 25 m in length, a wholly Lankanesque beach bar – complete with bicycle seats for stools and trishaw hammocks – and a lounge area. Launched in January 2014, Jetwing Yala is known as a beacon of the Deep South of Sri Lanka, and an oasis of luxurious indulgence in the middle of nature at its wildest. Only a few kilometres from the famed Yala National Wildlife Park, Jetwing Yala is fringed by forest on the sides and overlooks massive sand dunes and the Indian Ocean. With breathtaking sunsets and where the stars at night appear to only be an arm’s length away, the property is also testament to the Jetwing brand’s commitment to sustainability; featuring the largest privately owned solar park in the country – currently generating 40% of the hotel’s daily electricity demand. Adding another dimension to the resort is the beach area directly facing the resort; an expanse of pristine beachfront and soft sands as far as the eye can see, with a beach bar and lounge area along with internationally trained lifeguards patrolling the area during the day. “Opening up the beach access at Jetwing Lagoon and developing the area at Jetwing Yala was an element we have spent some time developing,” said Jetwing Chairman Hiran Cooray. “We wanted to make sure that the areas were in-line with each property’s unique personality, and function as an extension of the resorts themselves – complete with food and beverage facilities, seating, and safety and in the case of Jetwing Yala, the latest beach destination in the country,” he said adding the beach front at Jetwing Yala is indeed swimmable.