Cinnamon Lakeside opens 8° On The Lake for diners

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo said this week it will now on host special events at 8° On The Lake, providing discerning diners the opportunity to enjoy the hotel’s newest experience.

The floating venue was officially opened on 19 December 2011 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  

During its first stage of operations, 8° On The Lake functioned exclusively as a banquet venue for private events.  In response to the zeal with which it was received, the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo will now host special events on occasion whereby individual reservations may be made instead of booking the entire venue.

The first event of its kind ‘Candlelight Cruise’ took place on 14 February, in commemoration of Valentine’s Day.  As an exclusive promotion a sophisticated evening was created for just sixteen couples to exemplify the significance of the occasion. The evening began with pre dinner cocktails at the upper deck, followed by a five course gourmet meal at the lower deck. The night continued with couples dancing across the upper deck as a live band performed.  

The ‘Candlelight Cruise’ is just the beginning of a series of special events that will be hosted by Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo. The special promotions will vary between, bubbly brunches, evening high teas, sunset cruises, gourmet dinners and a myriad others celebrating special occasions such as Mother’s Day and Easter Sunday. Whilst 8° On The Lake is in itself revolutionary, there are hints of innovatory culinary choices which will be served aboard it. A new range of techniques in mixology will be employed to create a unique beverage menu which will make use of the larger than life bar aboard the vessel.

8° On The Lake is yet another first by Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, in keeping with the John Keells Leisure sector vision to “always be the hospitality trendsetter.” It is the only purpose built floating venue in Sri Lanka and as such guarantees guests a unique experience.

Constantly innovating, the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo was recognised as the Best Five Star City Hotel at the most recent Sri Lanka Tourism Awards. The hotel leverages on its lake view setting to create a breathtaking ambience that is appreciated by locals, tourists and business travellers.  

John Keells Holdings (JKH) is committed to developing the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka through investments in new and existing hotels and resorts. JKH, the owning company of the Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts chain invested Rs. 100 million in this initiative. This was on top of a Rs. 350 million refurbishment project completed recently making Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo the only five star hotel in Colombo with a complete set of upgraded rooms. The project followed an additional Rs. 464 Million hotel wide investment by JKH in September 2009.

8° on the lake was created by leveraging local expertise. It was constructed by Sri Lankan boat manufacturers Neil Marine of the Penthouse Group of Companies in accordance with international standards. The Group is the largest fibreglass boat manufacturing company in South-East Asia.

The interiors were designed by award-winning designer Nayantara Fonseka of Taru ie. The trendy, minimalist layout and choice of décor reflects its bearing as an extension of the hotel’s alfresco bar 7° North.  

The 70’ by 30’ vessel consists of an open upper deck which is protected by a clear ceiling as well as an air conditioned lower deck and accommodates up to 100 passengers.

A long well equipped bar is built into the upper level and a live band can be accommodated comfortably across from the bar creating an ideal location for exclusive cocktail parties. Cocktails may be effortlessly followed by a gourmet dinner at the air conditioned lower deck.  

The split level arrangement allows an event planner the flexibility of segmenting a function, offering varying culinary and entertainment experiences at each level, thereby ensuring a guest is never bored.  For larger events, 8° On The Lake may be used as an extension to the waterside, the hotel’s garden venue which hosts a pier where the vessel docks.

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is geared to continuously innovate and be the trendsetter in tourism and leisure, which are the fastest growing industries in post-war Sri Lanka. Initiatives such as 8° On The Lake are a testament to this commitment sustained by the promise of more to come.