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areas offering grand vistas. With more than 80 caves that sheltered monks as far back in history as the 7th to 3rd century, as well as ancient Buddha statues and a 2100 square metre mural, it’s definitely an adventure worth venturing on. 
Dotted with an abundance of lakes, forest and wildlife the area also boasts the largest rose quartz mountain range in South Asia and the famed Ironwood forest, or Na Uyana Aranya. In addition, the Ibbankatuwa prehistoric burial site situated just three kilometres from the cave complex is another amazing historical site of importance that has given archaeologists evidence of the presence of indigenous civilisations in the area long before the arrival of Indian influence in the country. With one of Sri Lanka’s international day/night cricketing venues situated in Dambulla as well and a host of matches lined up in the near future, starting with the New Zealand tour beginning later this month, quality hotel accommodation is going to be of paramount importance to accommodate the influx of both local and foreign tourists.
Green Paradise Agro Eco Hotel, Kabukkanwala, on the Kandalama Road, is the latest upmarket hotel to come up in Dambulla and looks to be the best poised to take advantage of the expected surge. With a 51% stake purchased by Browns Investments PLC from the original Italian group that designed and constructed the hotel and opened for operations in June 2012, the all eco-villa hotel looks to position itself as Sri Lanka’s premier agro eco concept hotel. With 67 luxury eco-villas that dot the tree lined pathways and comprise of 40 Superior Duplex, 17 Deluxe rooms and 10 luxury Garden Suites, creature comforts, quality and style have not been compromised in the designs. Built using imported timber and with stylish European fittings, the spacious Superior Duplex rooms are ideal for guests who love extra space, with a living room on first floor and bedrooms downstairs.
Offering complete privacy and secluded luxury, the Garden Suites are semi-detached units consisting of two suites per unit with interconnecting doors which are ideal for large families or groups who wish to have their own private space. These units also boast private hot tubs as well.
The 35 square metre Deluxe Rooms are furnished with a queen sized bed, teak furniture, a shower with private bathroom, television, air conditioning, mini bar, safe, tea and coffee facilities and private veranda. In addition, the rooms have all been constructed using an international standard 18 inch sound proofing system to keep noise levels between rooms at a minimum.
The main building of the hotel with a total floor area of 38,000 square feet on three floors comprises of two restaurants; the Orchid where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served and the Salt & Pepper which is open from noon until evening for snacks and light meals and thereafter for dinner.
The hotel also has the Blue Elephant bar in the lobby that offers a large cocktail selection and premium spirits for a quiet evening indulgence with comfortable seating and excellent and attentive bar service.
However, the hotel’s hidden secret however happens to be the Pizzeria Al Forno located by the large 33 metre pool where guests can enjoy traditionally prepared Italian pizza and sip on a cool beverage from the poolside bar. With a traditional Italian wood fired Pizza oven built by the hotel’s previous Italian owners and a herb garden that provides the resident Pizza Chef with his requirements of fresh herbs, the thin crust pizzas served up are a treat. The hotel also boasts a modern air conditioned gym, the wonderfully relaxing Saturnia Spa run by its Thai Manager Aida, and a large ground at the far end of the 17 acre property that Resident Manager Susantha Bandara, a veteran hotelier with impressive overseas resort experience working with the Aitken Spence group explained, is being developed to cater to the practice facility needs of touring international cricket teams that are poised to make the hotel their home in Dambulla.
“We are currently getting ready to host the New Zealand and Sri Lankan Cricket teams for the upcoming matches being played at the Rangiri Dambulla Cricket Stadium later this month and will be laying a turf pitch in the near future as well in order to cater to their practice needs,” Bandara explained.
He added that the hotel also plans to begin cultivation of its own organic vegetable crops soon which will add another dimension to the hotel’s agro eco concept and its healthy cuisine.
Bandara also explained that the hotel being situated close to Kandalama tank and close to the scared city of Dambulla provides easy access to Sigiriya, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, to which the hotel organises excursions for its guests.
All in all, Green Paradise gives you all you can want on a holiday in the cultural triangle, great accommodation, fantastic facilities and exquisite cuisine, with staff ever flexible to cater to individual needs, and most importantly attentive service that is a must in a high end resort such as this.
Bookings and inquiries can be made by calling 0662286300-4, visiting its website www.greenparadise.net, or via email on [email protected].
