Sun Tan Beach Resorts brings international Centara brand to Passikudah
Tuesday, 24 September 2013 00:00
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Sun Tan Beach Resorts, the owning company of Centara Passikudah Resort & Spa, is a pioneer in establishing the international brand Centara in the east coast of Sri Lanka. It is also the largest property on the famed Passikudah bay comprising of 125 rooms.
Being the largest resort on the east coast offering six categories of rooms, including suites, it is built on an area of three acres with a total land expanse of over 10 acres.
Sun Tan Beach Resorts was established as far back as 1975 when a much smaller scale property was opened under the auspices of the Tourist Board for the growing demand in tourism. Unfortunately due to the ethnic conflict in the 1980s, Passikudah soon became a security zone and tourism to the east of the country was sparse.
After a lapse of almost 35 years, Sun Tan Beach Resorts began constructing one of the most luxurious resorts on the east coast while securing the international brand ‘Centara to give not only Passikudah, but Sri Lanka, a taste of international standards combined with local hospitality.
The property is the brainchild of Ranga Dias, the Managing Director. Commenting on development, he elaborated: “Passikudah has a season of over 10 months where we have excellent weather conditions for water sports activities due to the ocean being calm and serene, somewhat like the waters in the Maldives.”
Located in close proximity to some of the country’s most sought after national parks such as Minneriya, Wasgamuwa, Trikonamadu, Maduru Oya and Gal Oya which can all be reached within a short driving time of one-and-a-half to two hours is a unique proposition to many holiday makers. The famous Somawathiya Temple can also be easily accessed while the Trincomalee Natural Harbour and the 18 hole Eagle Links Golf Course are all within the same distance.
Apart from the many archaeological and wildlife attractions and the myriad of features the property itself has to offer, the oceans around Passikudah are famous for diving and offer some of the most sought after dive sites such the US Aircraft carrier HMS Hermes which was sunk by the Japanese during World War II. Many dive enthusiast and underwater excavation specialists have travelled to Passikudah to explore these famous sites.
“The constructed property itself is built on over three acres of land. It has been planned and designed to bring in optimum operating efficiencies during high occupancy at the hotel. It has been designed in such a way that even when the property is running at full occupancy, no single public area would look over crowded. The public spaces have the open concept which makes even the largest group feel at ease,” added Dias.
Over 40% of the hotel’s room inventory consists of two king beds that could comfortably sleep two adults and two children or three adults. This makes it the perfect location for family holidays.
Spa Cenvaree, one of the leading international spa chains is fully operational offering a range of therapeutic treatments by highly trained and experienced therapists. Spa Cenvaree offers a selection of Ayurvedic treatments and other therapeutic programmes using natural ingredients for the wraps and rubs in specially designed treatment rooms for either singles or couples.
Centara Passikudah is one of the few resorts with a state-of-the-art banquet facility on the east coast. Groups and parties for meetings and events can be hosted at the fully equipped Vandeloos Bay Ballroom, a grand venue suitable for a maximum of 150 persons seated theatre-style. Outdoor and beachside functions can also be staged in a memorable setting, with all events planned and managed by a highly experienced team of professionals.
“Infrastructure developments have made access to the east coast more viable. The road expansion programs along with the construction and opening of bridges linking some of the main roads have accelerated the time in which you can now reach the resort area of Passikudah.”
For those who prefer to enjoy more time at the resort with less travel time, Helitours offers scheduled flights operated three times a week from Ratmalana to China Bay Airport and transfers to and from the airport can be arranged by the hotel. A weekly flight operated to Batticaloa is also convenient and all flights are offered at a very reasonable cost.
