Le Grand - another feather in Galle’s tourism cap | Sunday Observer

Le Grand - another feather in Galle’s tourism cap

12 August, 2018
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe unveils the plaque to mark the  opening of the hotel.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe unveils the plaque to mark the opening of the hotel.

Asia Leisure, in partnership with Belluna Co. Ltd., Japan, opened its sixth leisure property ‘Le Grand’ in Galle recently.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Kenichi Suganuma, Minister of Home Affairs, Vajira Abeywardena and Group Chief Executive Officer/ Director of Asia Capital Stefan Abeyesinhe were also present.

With its attractive setting and offerings, the urban resort and lifestyle destination will cater to a variety of travellers.

“Asia Leisure is one of the most widely recognised resort brands in the country and together with Belluna Co. Ltd, Japan we are pleased to add this hotel to our family,” said Chief Executive Officer of Asia Leisure, Reyhan Morris.

“We will continue to expand our presence, delivering a unique sense of hospitality that makes guests feel at ease the moment they walk through the door. ‘Le Grand, Galle’ exemplifies this unique service in terms of locality, the exceptional view of the Galle Fort and the modern amenities and services that we offer,” he said.

‘Le Grand’ is synonymous with leisure and hospitality in Japan and with properties developed by Belluna such as Le Grand Karuizawa Hotel & Resort and Le Grand Kyu Karuizawa.

Many of the rooms and suites have views of the Indian Ocean and UNESCO World Heritage site Galle Fort, with the suites that include the plunge pool named after the Bastions of the Fort, ranging from the 45-square-metre Deluxe Sea View Room to the Plunge Pool Suite offering 146 square metres of luxurious living space. The Sitting Room offers the greatest views of the entire hotel with a spacious open-air poolside terrace.

Le Grand, Galle takes a fresh approach to dining experiences with its use of rustic and ruggedly tropical décor. Taste, an all-day dining restaurant offers the ambiance and simplicity of a modern bistro with food that brings back memories of home. Blue, is the specialty seafood restaurant boasts an open kitchen and meals prepared using seafood delivered daily by local fisherman.

Principal architect of the property, Philip Weeraratne from PWA Architects said, “Two extremely distinct and exclusive characteristics of this property were the stunning view of the world heritage monument, the Galle fort and its ramparts across the azure blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

Absorbing all this, it was only natural that our creation and it’s form should be respectful in proportion, form and texture.

“We also wanted to position the spaces and unravel the hotel as an exciting maze of discoveries of long vistas and framed views of both the fort and ocean,” he said.

Asia Leisure operates a number of luxury leisure properties including Shingawa Beach in Balapitiya, Tamarind Hill in Galle, Taprobana in Wadduwa, The River House in Balapitiya and its latest addition The Habitat in Kosgoda and is on an expansion drive to set up multiple properties in Galle and city hotels in Colombo and the Maldives. 

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