Amaya Hills celebrates 20 years in hospitality

Perched in the coziest of settings, with a perfect view of the Kandy city and the never-ending Knuckles mountain range is the palace in the sky – Amaya Hills. This beautiful property is part of the Amaya Resorts & Spas chain. 

On 28 September, Amaya Hills will celebrate 20 years in hospitality and preparing the countdown for the big bash, the hotel has lined up a whole lot of events and projects at the hotel. Along with these events, we also have special Room deals and F&B promotions running till 15 October. 

If you are planning to head down to the hills this month or the next and hoping to stay with Amaya Hills then enjoy a 30% off on Half Board or Full Board basis. With your stay you can also enjoy the wonderful F&B deals that the team has planned out. With this stay, for the ones who want to unwind in the Spa – be it a holistic Ayurvedic treatment or something Balinese, you can choose what you like and redeem 20% off on any treatment at the Pancha Karma Spa or The Bungalow Spa.

Moving on to the drinks and tit bits, Amaya Hills has the Buy One Get One free cocktail from its Anniversary specials – Caipirinha, Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, Arrack Cocktail, Whisky Sour, Tom Collins, Screwdriver, Planters Punch, Arrack Punch, Mojito and Cuba Libra. Then there is also the daily Happy Hour from 7pm to 8pm at the Dumbara Bar with 30% off on local spirits, 20% off on other spirits and of course a free Tapas Platter. 

Amaya Hills concentrates on always giving back to the people with a lot of CSR work and this will include planting trees at the Amaya Bungalow garden, a blood donation campaign, handing over discarded line to the Kidney Hospital in Kandy as well as holding a Health Awareness Program to the community. Other activities include distribution of school shoes to the students of Sithumina College and sports equipment to Sirimalwatte Maha Vidyalaya followed by a spend the day at Tikiri Sevana Children’s Home, tea evening at the Elder’s Home, shramadama campaigns, inter-department sports events and Women in Tourism work forum.

One of the two main entertainment highlights of the celebrations will be the Flash mob dance at Kandy City Centre and at the hotel and the Anniversary Bash at Le Garage with YES FM coming in as the main sponsor. These two events are not to be missed, especially the latter as Yes FM DJs will be spinning in the best of the dance tracks to keep you on your toes the whole night through. Plus keep in mind that one lucky person will walk away with a return air ticket to Singapore SriLankan Airlines.

When we go through the history of Amaya Hills, it was once known as Le Kandyan and to this date, is one of the most patronised properties in the hills. The whole architecture of the property has a story to tell. 

The large, open lobby area is modeled on the concept of the ancient Ambalamas or wayside resting places. The lobby has been built to capture the wafting breezes, which now flow through the spacious lobby. The octagonal pillars with the lotus flower motif on top, painted in the traditional Kandyan colours of black, red and yellow gives you a first glimpse into the colour scheme that will be seen repeated throughout the hotel as well as in most frescoes and paintings in the Kandyan Viharas and Devalas. The painted wooden rails along the wall of the lobby are done in the traditional style of Beeralu, the lacquer painted (Laksha), rounded railings found only in the Kandyan Kingdom areas.

The lobby is an ideal Ambalama, a very comfortable place in which to meet, talk and exchange information (or “gossip” as was in the old days) while enjoying the panoramic vista. The comfortable black and white seats are designed in the form of Dolawas (Palanquin) which in ancient times carried royalty on their travels. Enjoy the relaxing feeling of the lobby as you sit back in your Dolawa and serve your welcome herbal drink. 

Guests have three main dining options when staying at Amaya Hills. You can sit inside the Rasawasala restaurant (the main restaurant) in the comfort of the AC or enjoy the natural coolness from the chilly atmosphere surrounding the property or if you are looking for a more intimate setting then the Tea Room is your ideal place. Choose from the a-la-carte menu or speak to the chefs if there is anything particular that you have in mind or crave from home and they will make sure to satisfy your cravings. 

For the ones who have been looking for that vacation that is all about unwinding and not doing anything to exhort yourselves then a day at the Ayurvedic Spa – Pancha Karma, is your place to be. Pancha Karma, with its mud walls, wooden chairs and antique wooden medicine cupboards, gives you an instant feeling of having walked back in time to an era when the Veda Mahaththaya (traditional physician) would await you in his wattle and daub house. 

Meet with the in-house qualified Ayurvedic doctor and learn what exactly your body needs and the treatment that will relinquish you of any ailment that you feel. You can choose from the list of treatments or let the doctor recommend something for you. To show how authentic the treatments are, you can see how the herbal medicines that will be used for your treatments are made in front of you then and there. If you don’t want to go through all that you can treat yourself to Spa Date that includes a full facial treatment, full body massage, pedicure or manicure. Leave the spa feeling rejuvenated and relaxed.

Turning 20 years, you will find that this palace in the hills captures the true traditions, cultures, beauty and hospitality of the ancient historical city with a fusion of the modern trends too. Some of the team members at the hotel have been there since inception and some for five to 10 plus years. It has repeat clients who come back simply because of the service they got back from the staff 20 years ago that still lives in the memory today.

“With the above and our staff’s attitude we will lead forever with new innovations in food, beverage, accommodation, adventures excursions and entertainment as per the industry’s demands. With completion of 20 years we are moving into next level of hospitality with new energy which we like to call ‘Amaya Energy’,” the Amaya Hills Management adds.

Amaya Hills invites everyone to be a part of their celebrations and to be there at the Anniversary Bash on 30 September at Le Garage. For more information or reservations please call on 0763-086-189 or 814 474-022/8.