Cantaloupe Levels: Luxury and lifestyle in Rumassala

Thursday, 28 August 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Levels – an intimate luxury and lifestyle boutique hotel near Galle – is the second property under the Cantaloupe Villas portfolio. Picturesquely perched on the lush green Rumassala headland, this luxurious design hotel reveals views of a wide turquoise bay that stretches from Jungle Beach to the world famous Dutch Fort of Galle, and is located right in the heart of this cosmopolitan neighbourhood. Sumptuous guestrooms, an eye-catching tri-colour infinity pool and sultry areas for dining and imbibing make this the hottest new address on the southern coast.

Cantaloupe Managing Director CEO Dmitri Jayasuriya (third from left) addressing the media as (from left) Cantaloupe Group GM Imran Naufal, Cantaloupe Director Yasser Farook and Cantaloupe Director Nadeem Rajabdeen look on–

Pic by Daminda Harsha Perera

Levels is situated on Rumassala, a verdant headland that punctures Sri Lanka’s low-lying southern coastline, midway between cosmopolitan Galle and playful Unawatuna. Its position captures the stunning westerly views in enthralling detail; the infinite Indian Ocean, an enigmatic palm-fringed coastline and Galle’s illustrious 17th century Dutch Fort. This privileged locale also affords easy access to the region’s increasingly diverse collection of restaurants, attractions, activities and nightlife. Rumassala is a biodiversity hotspot and home to many species of wildlife including rare, yet easy-to-spot, purple-faced leaf monkeys. The hill harbours many engaging cultural sites such as the Vivekarama Temple and the Japanese Peace Pagoda (where stands a life-sized statue of the monkey god Hanuman) as well as idyllic Jungle Beach, which lies at the foot of the headland directly accessible from the hotel. Jungle Beach’s twin secluded bays are ideal for swimming and snorkelling, and the pale sandy beaches are washed by a sparkling Coral Sea rich in marine life. Levels is a private nine-room boutique hotel designed and inspired by the unique topography, of this enviable ocean facing hillside locale. The hotel expands on Cantaloupe’s design philosophy of fusing the contemporary with classical Baroque elements, and each of the hotel’s unique features has been tailored to specific requirements to invoke an atmosphere of sophistication, seduction and calm. Each of the rooms at Levels frames vistas of the Indian Ocean and abundant, verdant jungle of Rumassala. Whether lying horizontal in bed, lounging by the poolside, dining on fusion cuisine or sipping mojitos on the roof terrace, your eyes are drawn to the deep aquamarine bay that curves gently, westerly, towards the lighthouse-pierced outline of Galle Fort directly ahead. On clear mornings, silver-blue panoramas of the island’s misty mountain ranges come into view further inland.Uber-comfy, well-furnished lounge areas for wining and dining languish across three levels of the hotel, edged by lowing creepers, green grass roofs and tropical plants. Cool and convivial, these sumptuous living and dining areas all centre around a one-of-a-kind tri-coloured mosaic-tiled infinity pool which plays bold and brazen homage to Cantaloupe’s signature hues; lime green, cool white and hot pink.

The rooms

Levels guestrooms are chic and luxurious. Invoking Cantaloupe’s signature contemporary baroque aesthetic, eye-catching designer touches include patent snakeskin leather bed-heads, smooth timber flooring, snooze-friendly sofas and cutting edge mod cons. Pale gold and silver hues complement the light background whilst contrasting black accents and bright colour pop art complete the look.

Superior silhouettes

Located on the ground and second floor respectively, these are our most intimate bedrooms but they’re packed with all the comforts that you can expect from a stylish Cantaloupe bedroom; beautiful beds, lavish linen and chic touches.

Deluxe silhouettes

Our five deluxe suites are located across all three floors of the hotel. More spacious than our superior rooms, yet every bit as comfortable, the deluxe rooms offer more lounging space and ever more tantalising glimpses of the stunning aquamarine sea.

Suite dreams

Levels’ two design-orientated suites indulge guests with an exceptional 60 square metres of decadent space filled with playful luxuries. Adding to this fabulous spaciousness, are infinite ocean views and unrivalled 200-degree coastal panoramas. As you lie back in bed, or on one of the loungers, views of the enigmatic sand-swathed coastline, the lush hillside of Rumassala, the island’s misty interior and the lighthouse-spiked silhouette of Galle Fort; brashly reveal themselves.

Clique bed lounge

On the ground floor, a banquette of fan-cooled day beds brings the concept of ‘bed dining’ to Sri Lanka. By day or night, these oversized snooze stations are the place to relax, as you nibble and imbibe tapas and tropical cocktails. Beyond, a timber deck sprinkled with wave-shaped loungers edges the tri-coloured pool, a statement piece that represents Cantaloupe’s bold design ethos. A spiral staircase curls up to a black-and-white floored bar with gothic chandeliers and an alfresco sea view deck.

Cuisine

Levels features an eclectic international a la carte menu, which combines signature dishes from Cantaloupe’s partner restaurants, Clique in Colombo and Coconut at Cantaloupe Aqua, in nearby Habaraduwa. Exquisite Japanese cuisine is a hotel speciality along with melt-in-your-mouth sous-vide steaks and fusion paella. The hotel’s air-conditioned restaurant is on the ground floor and spills onto a plant-festooned side terrace for romantic, sliding doors open onto velveteen lawns topped with tables for dining alfresco under a balmy starlit sky.

Investment

Cantaloupe Hotels was initiated as the parent company of the hotel chain (originally named Cantaloupe Villas) with an initial investment outlay of $ 400,000, to launch the first property Cantaloupe Aqua in 2010. Following its success as a sought after leisure destination in Unawatuna, the second property project Cantaloupe Levels in Galle, was initiated last year with an investment of $ 600,000, and expected to be launched open on September 2014. Cantaloupe Hotels has specialised in exploiting strong demand on the Southern Coast from high spending tourists from Europe and Asian emerging markets. Cantaloupe Hotels is now expanding its reach with an exciting third property development in Midigama (3 km before Weligama), Cantaloupe Soul Surf, a 30 room beach resort and surf school. The development currently under construction is expected to open in July 2015. The total cost of the project investment is $ 3.1 million and is currently at phase 1, funded internally by Cantaloupe Hotels ($ 1.3 million dollars) and the rest through Private Placement of representing a 43% shareholding of Grand Surf, a fully-owned subsidiary of Cantaloupe Hotels to be raised to finance the final phase of the project. “Today we are pleased to announce Cantaloupe Levels; a nine room boutique type hill top property located near the peak of the mythical Rumassala hill. Levels is our second property under the Cantaloupe Hotels portfolio. As a concept, Levels will be a sub brand for hill top properties we are looking to conceptualise and develop in the medium to long term. With Levels our intention is to take all the core values that are represented in the Cantaloupe group to create and evolve the following elements; innovation, creativity, and excellence and fusing them seamlessly with the unique art of hospitality. “Rumassala provides the perfect setting to display and constantly develop this mantra. Designed in house, Levels combines signature Cantaloupe elements such as outdoor wicker furniture, Baroque chandeliers, mood lighting, chequer board floors and a new signature three colour mosaic tiled pool. The hotel will also in essence be a walk through gallery representing all things Sri Lankan ranging from wild life, heritage, design and culture all presented in a pop art format. We have fused the old with the new and continued to evolve our design language; which we have referred to previously as Techy Baroque which we have subtly used to evolve the Cantaloupe AQUA design mantra of contemporary minimalism. “Service at Levels will literally be taken to another Level with unique and creative personal services comparable to those provided to you by world renowned concierge services. From bike rides around the locale, customisable picnics on Jungle Beach or even taking you on a bar crawl in Unawatuna bay we hope to provide it all! To summarise we are hoping to redefine world famous Sri Lankan hospitality and culture by creating a singular combination of consideration, authenticity and warmth,” said Cantaloupe & Co. CEO Dmitri Jayasuriya.

Cantaloupe & Co

Cantaloupe & Co is proud to launch its new Canta-loupe Hotels Corporate logo and identity. The logo combines the fundamental Cantaloupe signatures such as the Crowns, the Colours of Cantaloupe, and subtle representation of different divisions of the group; also incorporating the colours of the Sri Lankan flag into the Cantaloupe crown. The intention of incorporating the colours of Sri Lanka is for Cantaloupe to pay homage to its identity and most importantly promote national equality and unity. Cantaloupe Hotels now owns and manages two properties; Cantaloupe AQUA and Cantaloupe Levels, with Cantaloupe Soul Surf approximately eight months away from completion.