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Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Wednesday, 19 March 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Officially opened by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Monday, the hotel has been open for guests post-renovation since October last year. The hotel has recorded steady occupancy of 90% YoY and is highly popular among airline crew and transit passengers.
The sum was injected to increase the room inventory of the hotel from the previous 100 rooms to 200 with an addition of a new wing consisting of 98 executive rooms and two suites.
Designed by Singaporean-based architects Chiu Man Wong and Maria Warner Wong from Warner Wong design group, supported by Tommy Wijesekera from Acop Sri Lanka, the new wing has been designed to the theme of modern flavour of Sri Lanka and boasts a stylish and sleek design that exudes energy and simplicity.
To create a seamless connection between the old and new wings and to give guests an experience of a totally new and renovated product, the old wing has also received a facelift of Rs. 260 million.
A new banquet facility for the hotel is also on the cards for the future.
The hotel, nestled in midst of a 38-acre coconut plantation is jointly owned by Mukesh Advani and Prakash Advani and the Hirdaramani family with a 50% stake each, and is managed by the Taj Group of Hotels.
The size of the rooms has been expanded and stands at 325 sq ft on average while the bathrooms have been intricately aligned with the theme and design of the room. “It is much more comfortable and of an international standard,” The Gateway Hotel Airport Garden General Manager Ashok Vaudevan said.
In-room Wi-Fi and in-room entertainment with state-of-the-art TV channel distribution systems among others are also key features in the renovation project. “The whole look and feel is that of a new hotel.”
The rooms come in standard, superior, executive rooms and executive suites and deluxe suites.
In addition, the hotel has redone its lobby with a plush lobby lounge and added a business centre and an exclusive lounge facility for guests.
Within the last two years, the coffee shop, The Buzz, was also redone. 
“Very soon we will be adding a new restaurant and new bar at a cost of Rs. 150 million as well.” This is the all-day dining restaurant (with a bar) that serves Sri Lanka, Indian and international cuisine.
Vasudevan added that the hotel is keen to maintain the standards upheld by the international brand of The Gateway Hotels and is offering a product on par with the rest of the properties worldwide.
“We have the ‘active foods’ here which was designed by a Taj chef and is now synonymous with the brand. These are foods with low glycaemic levels and high fibre nutrients such as multi-grain, tomato, blueberries, etc.,” he explained. “These foods release energy to the blood stream in slow speed so the sustenance level is very high.”
They also uphold the ‘homemaker food’ concept where they have tied up with a housewife who comes in daily to cook traditional Sri Lankan food for guests in the typical Sri Lankan fashion, using local ingredients. “We are authentic and homely and maintain some of the hallmarks of the brand.”
Located in close proximity to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Katunayake, the hotel is also the perfect venue for business meetings. Offering broadband internet access, and multimedia computers and workstations, The Gateway Hotel Airport Harden also offers four venues that are ideal for quick meetings and conferences. The banquet hall ‘Sigiri’ is said to be ideal for business meetings and social functions and could host up to 300 people. ‘Kashyapa’ is more for smaller gatherings for not more than 30 people while ‘Mugalan’ could host some 25 guests. Harbour bar could host up to 200 guests and is an exclusive lagoon-facing venue, ideal for large social gatherings such as product launches and corporate retreats.
“We are delighted with the response so far and is confident that this would only increase in the future,” Vasudevan said.
Pix by Daminda Harsha Perera
