Grand Serendib Hotel Kandy opens with Rs. 1 b investment

 Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and investors of the Grand Serendib hotel at the opening ceremony

Pinning another luxury boutique property to the hill country, Grand Serendib Hotel Kandy was opened recently with an investment of over Rs. 1 billion. Founder and Chairman of ABEC, a global leader in student counselling for educational opportunities and international educational services, Dilip Herath said that they have been in the education business for 17 years earning in dollars to Sri Lanka. “This is our first diversification to the leisure sector, and we invested around $ 3.2 million for this.”

He said that this investment was done by raising capital within the company via a consortium of five directors including legendary cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya. Grand Serendib Hotel Founder and Chairman Dilip Herath began his career in the field of foreign education consultancy in 2006. He was initially based in Colombo and later opened up a branch in Kandy in 2007. He travelled from Colombo to Kandy frequently and during those many travels, he fell in love with the environment and the hospitality that Kandy had to offer. Herath said that they also have a ABEC branch in Kandy and while staying in several hotels in Kandy they found several ‘flaws’ in them. “This is why we purposely built this hotel maintaining the rich Kandyan architecture.” He also recalled that they were also encouraged personally by the former Prime Minister and President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Tourism Minister John Amaratunga to invest in the hotel sector. “I must also emphasise we made this entire investment in dollars and during the recent economic and political crisis against all odds but are happy with the positive comments and outcome we received.” Dilip Herath stated.

The new General Manager of the hotel who is over 30 years in the hotel industry with overseas experience Sujeeva De Soysa said that the hotel offers 24 rooms including two suites, a family room. “The hotel also offers an infinity swimming pool, a roof top area that is offered for private functions and many other modern luxury amenities. We also offer best relieving head-to-toe Yoga experience. We have also marketed extensively among local and foreign travel agents and destination management companies and our forward bookings are very promising.” The hotel will soon offer special card promotions for locals as well.