Deal signed for 30-villa Rs 500m boutique hotel in Kalkudah by French investor

On 15 November, Palmyra Palm Ltd. signed an agreement with the BOI to develop a 30-villa boutique Hotel in Kalkudah Bay, 27 kilometres north of Batticaloa. The name of the hotel, Karpaha Kalkudah, refers to the palmyrah tree, the “celestial tree,” widespread and highly utilised in the east of Sri Lanka.

The 30 villas will be located in an environment friendly manner under the shadows of more than 300 coconut, palmyra and kohomba trees. A total of 12 luxury bungalows, comprising of a private plunge pool, will be facing the sea along 280 metres of beach frontage and a 35 metre vegetal fence of coconut trees ensuring complete privacy.

The other 18 bungalows will have a 400 square metre private garden with luxurious vegetation and complete privacy. All bungalows will have a minimum living space of 800 feet, a teak sundeck, a day bed, open air shower and inside shower area (plus a bathtub for luxury bungalows), bedroom, living room and outside dining area.

The BOI stated, “This project, which is a French investment, will be located in the east, which has some of the finest beaches on the island. It reflects the peaceful situation in the country as well as the growing confidence on the part of the investor community to start hotel projects close to the former conflict areas. Tourism is one of the key economic sectors that Sri Lanka is targeting, since it provides many opportunities for investors in hotels and other tourism related activities.”

Karpaha will also provide guests with a 40 metre infinity pool facing the sea, a wide sundeck for relaxation, a cosy and trendy lounge, an elevated open-air restaurant with breathtaking views of the virgin beach, and a spa with individual treatments rooms. Karpaha is set on a 13-acre prime beachfront land with lush vegetation on the splendid, unspoiled 15 kilometre beach of Kalkudah where it will enjoy maximum calm and privacy, being one of the two developments on going at this location.

Karpaha is meant to set a new benchmark in luxury travel, adding the east to the boutique hotel circuit. The total investment is meant to be Rs. 500 million and the opening is planned for July 2014. It will provide more than 60 direct employment opportunities.