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Monday, 6 April 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sri Lanka Collection, a British representation company that promotes boutique Sri Lankan hotels, villas and luxury camps within the UK market, announced the addition of their newest collection member, Living Heritage Koslanda (http://www.srilankacollection.com/node/222).
This four-suite boutique hotel in the south eastern hill country is one of Sri Lanka’s most enchanting properties and until now was one of its best-kept secrets. The welcome addition of Living Heritage Koslanda brings the number of properties represented by The Sri Lanka Collection to ten, and Koslanda will be the first hotel to be represented by the company in this region of Sri Lanka.
“We are really thrilled to have Living Heritage Koslanda join The Sri Lanka Collection,” commented Director of The Sri Lanka Collection, Eleanor Milner. “Koslanda is a really magical hotel whose traditional architecture blends beautifully into the stunning hill country in which it sits. It fits perfectly into our existing collection as it is small, offers accommodation and service levels of a very high standard, and has a wonderful sense of individuality.”
One of the rooms within the villa
Set in 80 acres of land edged by ancient forest, the hotel’s design is innately Sri Lankan and realises the dream of sustainable tourism that respects and preserves local culture and the heritage and rituals of the forest. It was conceived over many years by the late Manik Sandrasagra – a renowned Sri Lankan film director and cultural visionary – and completed in 2012. Each building was positioned according to traditional Sri Lankan architecture and astrology whilst long-forgotten trades and building methods were re-learnt and revived.
Ambalamas, poised for relaxing and dining, dot the landscaped grounds. The three tastefully furnished villa suites are huge and each has its own central courtyard and a rear courtyard with a stone jacuzzi tub and outside shower. The suites interconnect, which heightens their suitability for families with children. The fourth suite is in a secluded cottage with a garden close to the pool. The pool is spectacularly sited on a hilltop and immensely private – the panoramic views of the paddy fields in the valley below and the mountains beyond are breathtaking.
Bathroom
Living Heritage Koslanda sits at an elevation of 1,800 feet in a grove of the Devianga Gale or ‘God’s Forest’, home to prolific wildlife including monkeys, giant squirrels and birds. The forest, which spreads itself across seven hills, is also an ancient corridor for migrating elephants that are sometimes seen between June and September. The weather is fine and dry between May and August and since this coincides with the elephant migration season and their special offer it is a wonderful time to visit.
The hotel is remote and will appeal to families, couples and groups looking to get off the well-trodden tourist trail. High service standards and excellent food – particularly traditional Sri Lankan cuisine – add further appeal.
Those who have visited Living Heritage Koslanda comment on the beauty, tranquility and hospitality. “When seven months ago we booked our four nights here, we were hoping for peace, beauty, remoteness, local cuisine, nature and serenity. And we got it. We enjoyed a truly gorgeous four nights and we were looked after spectacularly well by the tea, beyond the call of duty. A chat and welcome every meal time, a truly personal service, a guide to the waterfall, a taste of Sri Lanka, a service that beats the other amazing places we’ve been to. So, were our hopes and expectations met? Yes. They were exceeded,” a guest named John commented on 21 January 2015.
Living Heritage Koslanda is just 3 kilometres from the small village of Koslanda and a 45-minute drive from Haputale, home to the closest railway station. You can reach Ella in one-and-a-half hours, Nuwara Eliya in two hours and Horton Plains in one hour. Yala National Park is a two-hour journey away and Udawalawe National Park is one hour and fifteen minutes. The Travelling time to Koslanda from Tangalle is three hours and from Colombo is five hours by road or eight hours by train. Koslanda is five-and-a-half hours from Colombo’s international airport.
The Sri Lanka Collection, a UK-based representation and marketing company, works on behalf of a distinguished collection of Sri Lankan boutique hotels, villas and safari camps. The company raises awareness of Sri Lanka’s outstanding boutique travel products and helps them to maximise their visibility in the UK. The Sri Lanka Collection is the first representation company of its kind to focus on the high-end client and on Sri Lanka alone.
