Heritance sweeps top resort awards

Heritance Hotels and Resorts were the dominant winners at the Sri Lanka Tourism Awards, held recently.

Heritance Ahungalla was awarded the Best 5-Star Resort in the island, successfully taking over the baton from Heritance Kandalama, which won the coveted award for the last three consecutive years, securing the resort a position in the prestigious Hall of Fame last year.

Heritance Tea Factory emerged winners in the Best 4-Star Resort category for a second year, demonstrating the dominant position maintained by Heritance Hotels & Resorts in Sri Lanka.  The Best Host Hotel for Eco Tourism was awarded to Heritance Kandalama, once again reaffirming the Heritance Hotels & Resorts’ fundamental commitment towards the environment wherever it operates.

The objective of this prestigious awards ceremony is to recognise and reward excellence among industry stakeholders of past and present and to encourage and ensure an even greater contribution in the future. The awards criteria are designed to motivate industry stakeholders to work towards the primary goal of sustainable development of the tourism industry.

“We are thrilled and honoured that our three Heritance properties have been recognised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Awards. This is a remarkable feat which we are very proud of; having all our properties being recognised as the country’s best will certainly invigorate our commitment of delivering exceptional experiences to our guests,” said B.H.R. Sariffodeen, Assistant Vice President, Aitken Spence Hotels.

With its endless pristine white beaches and ultramarine expanse of the Indian Ocean, Heritance Ahungalla is a creation of the legendary architect Deshamanya Geoffrey Bawa. Heritance Tea Factory has been recognised by The Independent, UK as one of the ‘Top Five Factory Hotels in the World’ and as ‘one of the best 100 places to stay in the world’ by the Sunday Times, UK. Heritance Kandalama has been routinely recognised as one of the most eco-friendly hotels in the world, setting industry benchmarks recognised and applied globally.

“Our employees represent the company’s most important asset and, as such, are vital to its success. It is only thorough the strength of our team that we have been able to win accolades such as the awards won at this year’s Sri Lanka Tourism Awards. We also have the added advantage of capitalising on our presence in the region by utilising our team resources available in our hotels in India, Oman and the Maldives. We have definitely reaped benefits by working together as a team, cooperating and supporting each other at all times,” said Malin Hapugoda, Managing Director, Aitken Spence Hotels.  

Aitken Spence Hotels’ premier resorts operate under the brand Heritance Hotels & Resorts. Famed for its distinctive properties, exquisite food, culinary art and exceptional service, Heritance Hotels & Resorts has over a period of time gained the reputation of being one of the best hospitality chains in the region.

With an unrivalled portfolio of international award-winning resorts Aitken Spence chain boasts of exotic properties located in some of the key tourist locations. Barefoot at Havelock, India located on the ‘The Best Beach in Asia’ as rated by the Time Magazine; Heritance Kandalama, Sri Lanka’s most awarded hotel and ‘an icon of modern hotel design’ as rated by the Observer UK; and Desert Nights Camp, Al Wasil, Oman, rated as one of the top 10 desert retreats in the world are some of the properties operated by Aitken Spence Hotels.