Sri Lanka’s first lean luxury hotel Cinnamon Red opens for business

Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 | 0 comments | Leave a comment...

Rs. 3.5 b investment under Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts
Cinnamon Red, Sri Lanka’s first lean luxury hotel, was unveiled yesterday under the aegis of Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, who hoisted the Cinnamon Red flag to mark the ceremonial launch of this Rs. 3.5 b investment coming under the banner of the Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts chain.
Prior to the hoisting, the Cinnamon Red flag was ceremonially handed over to Cinnamon Red General Manager Terrence Fernando by John Keells Holdings PLC Deputy Chairman Ajit Gunewardene.
Gathered at the launch were John Keells Holdings PLC Chairman Susantha Ratnayake, John Keells Holdings Deputy Chairman Ajit Gunewardene, Sancity Hotels and Properties Ltd. Chairman Mahen Weerasekera, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Sector Head – City Hotels Rohan Karr and Cinnamon Red General Manager Terrence Fernando in the presence of the media who were invited to cover the event.
Located in the hub of Colombo at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 3, which was formerly Green Path, Cinnamon Red, which has its pulse firmly on the buzzing metropolis of Colombo city, is billed to pioneer a completely new lifestyle experience.
The newest addition to Colombo’s transforming cityscape, Cinnamon Red’s lean luxury concept is collated within 243 rooms, a distinctively designed eighth floor restaurant and a reception cum tea and coffee bar on the seventh floor. A striking focal point is the infinity pool, rooftop bar and fitness centre located on the 26th floor, giving guests a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Colombo and the seascape of the Indian Ocean.








Introducing some firsts into the city hotel blueprint, Cinnamon Red’s unique features include ultra modern amenities such as self-check in and checkout kiosks, e-concierge services, vending machines and rooms equipped with Wi-Fi and IPTV systems. Cinnamon Red embraces the demands of the new age traveller who is in constant pursuit of unique experiences, combining innovation and affordability for a relaxed uncomplicated stay. The launch also gave those gathered a prelude to the hotel’s offerings, where guests walked through the entirety of the hotel to gain a look and feel of this new concept of lean luxury and the offerings that Cinnamon Red will give to its clientele. One of the distinctive features of Cinnamon Red is the collection of contemporary artworks adorning the wall spaces including the graffiti wall which incidentally was the culmination of an art competition conducted earlier this year by Cinnamon Red to showcase local talent.
According to Karr: “The new, emerging breed of discerning travellers seek the assurance of a hotel that understands and anticipates their needs, while providing the right amalgamation of comfort, efficiency and convenience. This is the concept of lean luxury which Cinnamon Red is pioneering. By adapting to the growing needs of this segment of travellers, Cinnamon Red promises an ambience and environment for the modern traveller to simultaneously thrive and feel at ease, while being immersed in the city life that surrounds them.”
Well-aligned to Sri Lanka’s national narrative for the tourism industry and the perceptible changes being experienced, Gunewardene said: “As much as Cinnamon Red signifies the creation of a new tier within the Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Brand, it has also created an impetus for a brand new tier in Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry.
“Thus far, city properties in Sri Lanka have been positioned within the traditional framework of a star rating or as budget hotels, competing on price. The concept of ‘lean luxury’ being introduced by Cinnamon Red echoes the global hospitality curve and will fill a much-needed void between these two broad niches that the current hospitality industry subscribes to. It boldly breaks traditional norms, offering guests a uniquely different experience with affordability, efficient service and comfort. This will not just help Cinnamon Hotels compete better within the market, but will add value to Sri Lanka in terms of tourism.”
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is a part of Sri Lankan blue chip conglomerate John Keells Holdings PLC comprising a portfolio of 13 hotels, including two Colombo city hotels, eight resorts in Sri Lanka and three island resorts in the Maldives. Being Sri Lanka’s first lean luxury hotel, Cinnamon Red heralds a new benchmark both for Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and the lean luxury category in the country, being poised to become a game-changer in Sri Lanka’s evolving tourism industry. For more information, please visit: www.cinnamonhotels.com. For more property specific information, please visit: www.cinnamonredcolombo.com.
Pix by Daminda Harsha Perera and Upul Abayasekara

Microsoft to have data centre in India

Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 | 0 comments | Leave a comment...

BANGALORE: Microsoft is looking at establishing a data centre in India that would allow it to offer its cloud solutions more seamlessly to Indian businesses, and especially to the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector. 

BFSI is the biggest consumer of technology worldwide, but governments, including the Indian government, mandate that banking data should not go out of the geographical boundary of the respective country. Concerns around this have risen since US whistleblower Edward Snowden disclosed the extent of US spying on the rest of the world. 

Microsoft CIO Jim Dubois said on a visit to Bangalore on Tuesday that the company was considering the move, but declined to share details. "We are considering a data centre in India. It will help us accelerate. There are a lot of companies that are looking at us now in anticipation that Microsoft will at some point have a local data centre," he said. 

The Galle Fort Hotel: A Hidden Gem

Posted by Unknown on Friday, August 1, 2014 | 0 comments | Leave a comment...

Galle Fort Hotel
Tucked away inside the UNESCO world heritage site of the Galle Fort and recipient of their 2007 Award of Distinction for Heritage Conservation, The Galle Fort Hotel has been welcoming guests for the past 10 years.  The hotel was the brain child of Australian Karl Steinberg but is now under the ownership of the Lankem Group of companies having completed the purchase in November 2011.

The 12 room property on Church Street boasts a rich history dating back to 1695, a little younger than the key landmark in which it resides, the fortress of Galle, built by the Dutch East India Company in 1663. The property was once the home to one of the most prestigious gem merchant families in Asia, the Macan Markers, famed for their sapphire collection including the 182 carat “star of Bombay” now in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
The property ceased to be a private residence in the latter stages of the first half of the 20th century and post independence, (1948), it spent time, among other identities, as a bakery as well as the fort post office.
Following its restoration the hotel opened its doors in November 2004, just weeks before the Boxing Day Tsunami. In the immediate aftermath of this tragic event The Galle Fort Hotel was a centre of operations for NGOs, journalists and other organisations as well as providing support to the surviving victims.
oday the hotel is a collection of buildings from different periods, testament to its prominence through the ages and each reflecting different architectural styles.
The heritage wing, that dates to the early 18th century, houses a range of suites each with a unique character. For example the Admiral Cheng Ho Suite, or ACH as the guests refer to, commemorates the great Chinese explorer who paid several visits to Galle, the first in 1405. The Porcelain Suite has a display of antique Chinese ceramics between the bathroom and bedroom and original Dutch period 9m (30 ft) ceilings.
There are other antiques on display in the other guest rooms as well as the public areas of the hotel. These are all part and parcel of this boutique heritage hotel and add to its charm and character.
The hotel has maintained an enviable reputation for food in its short history, even with the current interest in the fort today and the increasing range of cafes and restaurants.
From its casual lunch time cafe menu and tapas bar menu to the fine dining Asian fusion set dinners, well catered for both foreign and local guests. The bar has a full range of drinks including an extensive wine and cocktail list. The restaurant and bar are open to the public daily from 12pm. The newly revamped page of the Galle Fort Hotel can be found on Facebook.

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