Golden Crown Hotel, Kandy acquires five star accreditation

The Board of Directors of The Golden Hospitality Ltd. seated from left: Managing Director Chanuka Wijekoon, Chairman Sriyananda Wijekoon, Director Chamali Wijekoon and Finance Director Hansani Wijekoon

The Golden Hospitality Ltd, a brainchild of the group’s Chairman, needed an upgrade with an elegant five star property in its portfolio. Subsequent to making a name for itself in the hospitality industry since announcing itself in 2003, the brand gathered further momentum with The Serene in Kandy and 2 bungalows in Nuwara Eliya. After selecting an out of the way rural area, Chairman Sriyananda Wijekoon acquired a property in Ampitiya, Kandy and proceeded to implement his plan. 

The fruition of The Golden Crown was a gem for the whole village. Supplies were sourced locally and the real estate in the area grew in value. A project which has been in the making for over four decades, the few kilometres of road from the Lake Round in Kandy was considered a necessary access road and repairs began in earnest. The staff from in and around the area found lucrative employment, conveniently accessible without them having to go to Kandy town. 

In November 2017, without much fanfare, President Maithripala Sirisena declared open the sophisticated and tasteful five star property, The Golden Crown Hotel, equipped with its numerous amenities. People rushed to hold their functions in the fully-equipped banquet halls. The many events held at The Golden Crown subsequently were all well thought out and inviting for the discerning residents of Kandy with appropriate entertainment. Patronage of the property became all the rage in Kandy and its surroundings. 

After winning the Gold Award in the Extra Large Category of the Central Province at the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards ceremony organised by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries in Sri Lanka (FCCISL) in March 2019, the Board of Directors - comprising Wijekoon, his son Managing Director Chanuka and daughter Finance Director Hansani Wijekoon - decided to gain greater credence by obtaining a five star rating for the property.  

All that was needed for this accreditation was to improve a few ad-hoc areas.  By July 2019, the Golden Crown was awarded five star status and celebrated this achievement by saluting the employees who made it possible. It was a notch in the belt of this entrepreneurial family who had a vision to make a reality of their dreams while supporting the community with their commitment to ensuring economic sustainability in the market.

Currently comprising six properties from three star structures to super luxury boutique hotels in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, The Golden Hospitality Ltd. has now rolled out further expansion plans. 

The Golden Crown Kandy, will expand with a new wing, adding 50 luxury bedrooms in an adjacent property. It too will possess the Kandyan motifs from Degaldoruwa carvings and Embekka-type traditional decor. Artfully designed to provide the guest with a memorable experience and set amidst verdant paddy fields, surrounded by lush greenery on the hillsides with a view of the Dunumadalawa Forest which contains the main water source for Kandy, The Golden Crown Hotel will enhance its facilities beyond expectation with this expansion. There will be a large pool, in addition to the existing infinity pool, restaurants with fine dining options and a pub and restaurant similar to Nuwara Eliya called The Sackville Restaurant and Bar, while the guests will continue to have access to the banquet halls including the Grand Ballroom, Windsor Court and Crown Court as well as the current BRIX restaurant, TREATS coffee shop, Gym and Laama Spa.