A decade, with heart

Shangri-La Hambantota is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week and here are excerpts of an interview with its General Manager Refhan Razeen

Shangri-La Hambantota General Manager Refhan Razeen

Q: For those unfamiliar with the property, how would you describe Shangri-La Hambantota and the meaning behind the name “Shangri-La”?

The name Shangri-La originates from James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon, where Shangri-La is imagined as a place of peace, beauty, and emotional connection — almost a paradise hidden away from the world.

In many ways, that spirit exists here in Hambantota. Set between the sea and lagoon across 145 acres of coconut plantation, Shangri-La Hambantota is more than a resort. It is a destination shaped by nature, culture, wellness, community, and heartfelt hospitality rooted in Sri Lanka’s deep south.

As we celebrate ten years, we continue to focus on creating meaningful experiences that allow guests to reconnect — with nature, with people, and with themselves.

Q: What makes Shangri-La Hambantota unique compared to other resorts in the region?

 What makes Hambantota unique is its sense of place. This is not a resort that exists separately from the destination — it is deeply connected to it.

Guests experience wildlife, local culture, artisan traditions, wellness, golf, destination weddings, and regional cuisine all within one journey. We are home to Sri Lanka’s only resort golf course, the largest pillarless ballroom outside Colombo, and an artisan village that celebrates traditional Sri Lankan craftsmanship.

The property also naturally coexists with incredible biodiversity including migratory birds, butterflies, peacocks, civets, monkeys, and thousands of coconut trees across the landscape.

But beyond facilities, what truly defines the resort is the emotional connection guests feel when they are here. There is a stillness and authenticity in Hambantota that resonates deeply with modern travellers seeking more meaningful experiences.

Q: Over the past decade, how has the resort evolved?

When we first opened in 2016, Hambantota was still relatively undiscovered internationally. Over the years, the resort helped introduce travellers to a different side of Sri Lanka — one rooted in slower travel, culture, nature, and connection.

Today, guests increasingly visit not only for the resort itself, but for the wider southern region and destinations such as Yala, Tangalle, and Ella. The property has evolved from being simply a place to stay into a gateway for experiencing Sri Lanka’s deep south in a much more immersive way.

At the same time, we have also evolved operationally and culturally as a team, continuously adapting to changing guest expectations and newer generations of travellers.

Q: Beyond tourism, what role does Shangri-La Hambantota play within Sri Lanka and the local community?

Our role extends far beyond hospitality. Over the past decade, the resort has created employment opportunities for surrounding communities while supporting local livelihoods, producers, artisans, and small businesses across the region. Many of our colleagues joined us from nearby villages when we first opened and have grown alongside the resort over the years.

We also believe hospitality has a responsibility to create positive long-term impact. This anniversary year, for example, we are conducting an eye camp for surrounding communities, supporting Sarana — a home for elderly visually impaired individuals — planting 150 mangroves within the property and surrounding areas, and continuing community initiatives such as our Vesak dansala serving more than 2,000 villagers.

Equally importantly, Shangri-La Hambantota has become a place where Sri Lankan hospitality talent is nurtured. More than 1,220 former colleagues who began their careers here are now working in hotels around the world, proudly representing Sri Lankan hospitality internationally.

Q: The Artisan Village has become one of the resort’s most distinctive experiences. Why is this initiative important?

The Artisan Village is one of the initiatives we are most proud of because it represents something far deeper than a guest activity. Many traditional Sri Lankan art forms are gradually becoming dying crafts, with fewer younger generations continuing these practices. Through the Artisan Village, Shangri-La Hambantota actively supports and sustains local artists and craftspeople by giving them both visibility and a sustainable source of livelihood.

To our knowledge, we remain the only hotel in Sri Lanka with a dedicated artisan village of this nature integrated into the resort experience.

Guests are able to interact directly with artists, understand the heritage behind their work, and experience Sri Lankan culture in a much more personal and meaningful way. Beyond preserving craftsmanship, it also helps preserve stories, traditions, and cultural identity for future generations.

Q: Shangri-La Hambantota has also become known for destination weddings. How has that evolved?

Over the years, we have become one of Sri Lanka’s leading destinations for destination weddings and large-scale celebrations.

What makes weddings here unique is that couples are not simply booking a venue — they are creating an immersive destination experience for their families and guests. From oceanfront celebrations and tropical gardens to golf experiences, safaris, wellness, and southern cultural encounters, the destination itself becomes part of the memory.

Combined with the largest pillarless ballroom outside Colombo and expansive outdoor venues, Hambantota offers a scale and versatility that is quite unique within Sri Lanka.

Q: How do you approach managing a modern multi-generational hospitality property?

Today’s travellers seek more than traditional luxury. They seek experiences, connection, flexibility, and personalisation.

At Shangri-La Hambantota, we focus on creating experiences that resonate across generations — from Gen X to Gen Alpha — whether through wellness, adventure, culture, family experiences, digital convenience, or destination storytelling.

The same philosophy applies internally as well. We invest heavily in colleague engagement, leadership development, and creating an inclusive workplace culture where different generations feel valued and empowered.

Ultimately, hospitality today is no longer only about facilities. It is about creating stories and emotional connections that guests remember long after they leave.

Q: As Shangri-La Hambantota celebrates ten years, what does the theme “A Decade, With Heart” represent?

It represents the people and connections behind the journey.

 Over the years, what guests remember most are not simply the facilities or experiences, but the warmth of the people, the sincerity of the hospitality, and the memories they created here with family and loved ones.

The theme reflects the emotional side of hospitality — the colleagues who built this place, the communities connected to it, the guests who return year after year, and the destination itself.

We did not want the anniversary to feel overly corporate or purely celebratory. We wanted it to feel meaningful and authentic to who we are.

Q: Looking ahead, what is your vision for the next decade?

 Looking ahead, our vision is closely aligned with the future of Sri Lanka tourism itself.

We believe the future lies in meaningful, destination-led travel experiences rooted in culture, sustainability, wellness, nature, and emotional connection. Initiatives such as the Ruhunu Ring concept reflect our belief that southern Sri Lanka has the potential to become one of the world’s most distinctive tourism regions.

Equally important is our continued investment in people. We see every colleague as a future ambassador of Sri Lankan hospitality, and we remain committed to developing future leaders who will represent the country globally.

As we move into the next decade, our focus remains on deepening our connection to people, place, and purpose — while continuing to share the spirit of Hambantota with the world.