Presidential opening for first 5-star hotel in 25 years with Mövenpick entry

President Maithripala Sirisena unveiling the plaque to signify opening of Mövenpick Hotel in Colombo on Saturday, while Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts President and CEO Olivier Chavy, Softlogic Holdings Plc Chairman Ashok Pathirage, Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake and Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga look on 

By Charumini de Silva

President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday inaugurated Mövenpick Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s first international five-star property in 25 years.

Partnering with Softlogic Holdings Plc, the Swiss giant is ready to open its doors on 16 January to introduce a unique hospitality concept to the Sri Lankan capital with the strikingly modern 24-floor, 219-room five-star property in Colpetty.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts President and CEO Olivier Chavy said he qualified the Colombo property as a vertical and urban resort.

“I am pretty sure that this will set the tone for the new generation of hotels in Sri Lanka,” he added.

Softlogic Holdings Plc Head of Leisure Sector Dr. Stephan Anthonisz said the hotel provided a fresh concentration on design, vistas, comfort, service and technology.

Furthermore, he asserted that the hotel represented a new vertical experience with altitude and attitude to Colombo’s traditional hotel market.

He said the Mövenpick brand mission talked of bringing leisure, indulgence and authenticity with a specific aim to make “ordinary something extraordinary” showcasing attentiveness with captivating business adding that the brand mission blended perfectly with Softlogic’s tagline ‘best in the business’.

 “We believe our dynamic General Manager Markus Marti and his team will deliver the Mövenpick Hotel Colombo its brand promise of ‘natural enjoyment’ in a way that is compelling and competitive,” he added.

Moreover, he said Softlogic was successful in finding Swiss giant Movenpick, terming it a perfect partnership, which has a great legacy in operating hotels with an international reach.  

With the fast-growing corporate and incentive markets in mind, the property offers the largest executive lounge and rooms in the city as well as a dedicated business traveller reception, while banquet facilities include five meeting rooms and a boardroom.

There are 219 guest rooms including Junior Suites, Executive Suites and a Presidential Suite, all luxuriously furnished and offering access to the rooftop infinity pool and Jacuzzi.

True to the hospitality brand’s gastronomic roots, the dining experience is the heart and soul of the hotel, with seven creative bar and restaurant concepts from which to choose, all promising unique themes, theatre and cuisine created with passion.

They include the Brasserie, Colombo’s first in-hotel classic French restaurant, as well as Robata Grill & Lounge serving Japanese cuisine and sushi, all-day dining venue AYU, Vistas Rooftop Bar and Lounge, with the exclusive Mansion bar and night lounge, the chic Lobby Lounge and the Pool Bar where drinks and light meals can be enjoyed while taking in the city vistas.

Guests can also enjoy a workout with a view at the fully-equipped gym, located 100 metres high or relax at the Spa Ceylon, where signature treatments include the use of natural oils and herbs.