Shangri-La will expand its rapidly-growing portfolio of hotels on 1 June when it opens the Shangri-La Hambantota Resort & Spa, the Group’s first hotel in Sri Lanka.
Located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, the 300-room Shangri-La Hambantota Resort & Spa spans 145 acres and will feature lush tropical gardens, an 18-hole golf course, an artisan village and a wide array of innovative dining, event and entertainment options.
“Sri Lanka is one of the fastest-growing destinations in the Indian Ocean and a beautiful country with incredible natural attractions, wonderful people and more than 2,000 years of culture. We are delighted to be opening the first international luxury resort in Hambantota and look forward to bringing Shangri-La’s hallmark hospitality from the heart to this exciting destination,” said Shangri-La President and CEO Greg Dogan.
Sri Lanka is one of the best places to see wildlife in Asia, and Hambantota is located near several national wildlife parks that are home to an array of animals, including wild elephants, the Sri Lankan leopard and thousands of rare and exotic birds.
Guests arriving at Colombo International Airport will be able to enjoy Shangri-La’s private luxury coach transfer, the first-of-its-kind in Sri Lanka. Seating up to 25 people, resort guests will get to enjoy refreshments, cold towels and snacks served during the drive along the scenic coastal route.
In addition to Shangri-La’s luxury coach transfer, Fly Dubai and Abu Dhabi-based Rotana Jet, fly direct to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, which is 35 kilometres from the resort. Local-based Cinnamon Air and SriLankan Airlines also run regular domestic flights from Colombo.
Discover a Destination within a Destination Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa’s guestrooms include 26 suites with private butler service and range from 48 to 240 square metres. Each luxury hideaway has a secluded balcony or terrace affording a sense of privacy.
Sri Lanka’s rich culture is honoured throughout the resort and in particular at ‘The Village,’ where guests can explore and interact with local artisans and craftsmen. The Village is dedicated to preserving Sri Lanka’s traditional artisan communities and features four traditional huts where the craftsmen skilfully create, exhibit and sell their items, from pottery and ceramics, to wood carvings and weavings.
In the evening, the village transforms into an entertainment venue, showcasing Sri Lankan music and dance performances of Angampora (Sri Lanka’s indigenous martial art and one of the oldest fighting disciplines in the world).
The manicured lawns of Shangri-La’s Golf and Country Club and its eco-friendly 18-hole golf course cater to even the most seasoned golf enthusiast. Set amidst a vast coconut palm plantation, the par-70 course was designed by Rodney Wright and takes guests on a three-zone golf experience.
The Dune Area offers ocean views, whilst the Sapphire Mine provides a wide, open space where players must negotiate challenging water features. The resort is the first in Sri Lanka to have its own golf course.
Exhilarating water sports on the lake will suit energetic guests, whilst archery, darts, barefoot bowling and table tennis are just some of the other fun resort activities available.
Nearby, the Humanaya blow holes, a secluded turtle beach and quaint traditional fishing villages also provide an enlightening day of discovery, whilst a trip to the Bandagiriya Temple, the highest peak in the Hambantota District dating back to the second century BC, reveals one of Sri Lanka’s oldest periods of history.
The resort’s ‘Cool Zone’ Kids Club offers a full program of supervised daily activities. A seven-metre-high trapeze, a drone-flying area and collegial guest vs. staff sporting tournaments will help to establish Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa as a family-friendly destination.
For those in search of pure relaxation, CHI The Spa at Shangri-La has 12 treatment rooms and outdoor pavilions.
Rounding out the offerings are a Health Club with state-of-the-art fitness facilities, a dive centre, 30-metre lap pool, freeform pool, tennis court and retail facilities.
A multi-purpose events space of over 2,525 square metres is designed for hosting conferences, meetings, weddings and social celebrations.
Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa is the first of two Shangri-La hotels under development in Sri Lanka and the group’s third resort in the Indian Ocean. The second hotel – Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo – is slated to open in 2017.
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