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Mount Lavinia Hotel

Situated just 12 kilometres from the city centre, the Mount Lavinia Hotel is unique in that it is the only beach resort on the fringe of the city limits.

Starting out as an imposing and majestic weekend abode for a British Governor in colonial times, it retains the old world charm and imperial elegance of yesteryear combined with the most uptodate facilities of a modern resort that any discerning traveller might ask for.

Legend has it that Sir Thomas Maitland built this magnificent retreat as an intimate trysting place in which he could enjoy the company of his ladylove.

The colonial architecture of what was once the original residence of Sir Thomas Maitland is today known as the Governor’s Wing of the Hotel, consisting of 40 spacious rooms with polished wooden floors and large windows that open wide to let in the soft sea breeze. The Governor’s Wing offers a breathtaking view of golden sands and the azure gleam of the rolling Indian ocean.

The exclusive Governor’s Suite itself built on two levels and furnished in colonial style is the epitome of old world luxury, while the rooms in this wing maintain the same old world charm of an era of elegance from days gone by.

It is said that one cannot blame the staid  and sober  Sir Thomas Maitland for forgetting himself and  falling head over heels in love with a local mestizo dancing girl named Lavinia, (later known as Lady Lavinia). Given the same circumstances, the romantic setting, the enticing eyes and the flaming dances of Lavinia after whom the area itself has been named, anyone might have done the same!

This perhaps is why Mount Lavinia Hotel is reputed to be the most romantic hotel in the island of Sri Lanka, its Empire ballroom being a popular venue for weddings and a favourite destination for honeymooners.

The recently refurbished Bay Wing of the hotel has one hundred rooms offering every possible modern amenity while maintaining the ambience that the Mount Lavinia Hotel is famous for. Individual balconies seem built right out over the ocean and offer guests the unique concept of isolation and total privacy combined with the feeling of almost being out at sea!

The air conditioned rooms in pleasing pastel shades are fitted with elegant canopied beds, 24 hour satellite television and a well stocked mini bar, offering guests every possible modern amenity.

The Sea and Garden Wing presents yet another delightful aspect of the hotel with its rooms opening out into spacious gardens which overlook the sea, presenting a direct view of the city of Colombo. These rooms have just been refurbished with Satellite television, mini bar, hair dryer and shower.

The Mount Lavinia Hotel’s kitchens are now headed by distinguished Master Chef Ralf Vogt, Director Kitchens, with extensive experience universally in almost every diversity of food. He went through hotel school by seventeen and started at Altes Brauhaus a fine dining restaurant, the best in Aachen, NW countryside of Germany. He served in the military and then went on to Deusseldorf for the Intercontinental chain. From there, he conquered the world, including the Tokyo Bay Hilton, Munich Hilton, Colombo Hilton, Maldives Hilton, Bangalore Hilton, Grand Hilton Korea among others, and finally the Mount Lavinia Hotel. 

The Seafood Market at the Seafood Cove every night from 7.30 onwards is where guests could select the seafood of their choice and have it grilled or cooked according to their taste. Menus are changed on a regular basis, presenting a range of items which have made the hotel’s beach barbecues almost legendary.

Director Culinary Art and Promotions Chef Publis world renowned for Sri Lankan food, who has been with the Mount Lavinia Hotel for a record of over 47 years, has perfected the art of serving up the most delectable  seafood  creations using the succulent local lobster, lagoon and sea crabs, cuttle fish and jumbo prawns, while making use of the  wide variety of fresh water and salt water fish in dishes ranging from seafood starters and fish chowder to Lobster Thermidor  and local Seer fish steaks.

The variety of seafood available in Sri Lanka varies from coast to coast. The best Lobster  and  Crab come from the East coast and also from the North of the island, while the jumbo Prawns and Crabs are from Negombo, a famous fishing village on the West coast of Sri Lanka.
Cooking seafood in Sri Lanka  is an art – it is never over cooked and has to be cooked on a very  low fire. One of the famous local dishes is the ‘Ambul Thiyal’ a tangy concoction of large chunks of Tuna fish, marinated and slow cooked in a clay pot with heat both above and below the pot.

Another hot favourite at the Mount Lavinia Hotel is the “Devilled Prawns” almost as wicked as it sounds. This delicacy is prepared with extra spices and chillie for the local clientele and in a milder form for the foreign guests.

These seafood delicacies and a variety of marine delights could be sampled at the Seafood Cove while Sri Lankan and Indian delicacies are the speciality in the Clipper oriental restaurant. The Governor’s Restaurant which is a 24 hour coffee shop presents a choice of western and oriental cuisine, while theme menus are presented nightly.

The Terrace of the Mount Lavinia Hotel is yet another favourite watering spot where guests relax, take in the panoramic view of the Bay of Colombo, sip a cool beer and watch the magnificent sunset over the horizon adjudged ‘One of the World’s Best Gathering  Places’ by Newsweek magazine.    

For the more active, sea bathing is a favourite pastime, while those who come in search of a tan could sunbath in perfect privacy along the miles of beach. And when you just can’t stand the heat anymore, move to the Beach Hut and sip a cool cocktail.

And at the end of a busy week, when you feel like unwinding to the best beat in town, “the Hut” night club  is the place to head for from Wednesday to Sunday night. Featuring some of Sri Lanka’s leading bands and DJ’s, the Hut provides just the right atmosphere for letting yourself go and dancing the night away!

But that’s not all. For those who feel like mixing business with pleasure, the Mount Lavinia Hotel once again presents the perfect choice, the magnificent Empire room with it’s ornate chandeliers, comfortably accommodates 500 guests while La Fontaine and Regency Room accommodates 160 and 200 persons respectively for banquets and conferences with a breathtaking view of the Indian ocean.

The latest addition to the banquet venues is the cosy Horizon Room with a stunning view of the Horizon after which it has been named, accommodating up to 120 persons. The 24 hour encashment bureau and international telephone, business centre, travel desk, email, internet facilities ensure that the world is always at your fingertips.

Star Category	:
Room Types	:	Sea & Garden Wing  |
View Room Rates	:	Local Rates | Foreign Rates

Location	:	Mount Lavinia
Address	:	100, Hotel Road, Mount Lavinia
Telephone	:	011 2 711 711
		Terms and Conditions

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