Hotel group Maitland and Knox rebrands as “Island Life”

 Island Life Sri Lanka Managing Director Amrit Rajaratnam

Galle Fort Hotel

The Warden's House

• Announces plans to launch two exciting new properties

Thotalagala

By Uma Chandrasiri

The decade old proprietor of the enchanting Thotalagala planters bungalow, the iconic Galle Fort Hotel and the luxury safari lodge Warden’s House Yala, “Island Life” Sri Lanka, will broaden their reach with an all-encompassing new brand identity which speaks of the group’s mission to offer the discerning traveller a truly Sri Lankan experience and a deep connection with the essence of the destination, not merely a luxurious retreat.

Speaking at a recent press brief, Island Life Sri Lanka Managing Director Amrit Rajaratnam said: “The philosophy behind Island Life is to celebrate the truth of our island, to offer stays that are soulful, design forward and rooted in place and to share with our guests, Sri Lanka through Sri Lankan eyes, not as a product but as a state of life. We are proud to be a fully Sri Lankan-owned and managed company that values experiential tourism, and we want to be the stewards who can guide Sri Lanka forward.”

The reason for rebranding from Maitland and Knox to “Island Life” Sri Lanka, according to Rajaratnam is the announcement of their two new properties in addition to the existing Thotalagala planters bungalow, Haputale, Galle Fort hotel and the very young Warden’s House in Yala, along with the groups’ belief that it is the right time to deviate from the original path when the country is at a crossroads for tourism. “Traveller’s perception of luxurious travel is dynamic. Where previously thread counts on bed sheets and the amenities in a hotel would have mattered, today’s intrepid traveller seeks fulfilling experiences, and this is what we aim to deliver. We set ourselves apart by promoting the destination and the experience, not merely the offer of a luxury hotel.”

“Island Life” will launch “Moon” Hiriketiya, a 24-room boutique escape, come December 2026 at an investment of approximately Rs. 350 million, construction of which is already underway on an 80-perch block of land, away from the bustle of the busy Hiriketiya beach. The selection of the land has been deliberate, aligning with the group’s objective of offering its guests a luxurious and immersive experience, as well as privacy and peace. January 2028 will witness the birth of beautiful “Halloluwa Kandy”, a 50-roomed boutique hotel on the banks of the Mahaweli river, and construction at an approximate expected cost of Rs. 1.6 billion will be underway before the end of this year. The quaint village of Halloluwa is away from the vibrant metropolis that is Kandy, where guests will hear the rushing waters of the Mahaweli as opposed to the cacophony of vehicles on the city streets.

The group’s existing properties, especially the iconic and widely appreciated Thotalagala and Galle Fort Hotel, are well known on their own, but according to Rajaratnam, have not been connected as a brand but today, all of their properties will be connected and known under the new identity “Island Life”. “The way we sell a hotel room will also change with the introduction of specialised guides who will be available at all our properties if guests wish to avail themselves of this additional service, which will be in-built to their room rate. With the help of these guides, our guests will experience the destination and the locality, not just the hotel.”

Island Life’s Thotalagala in Haputale is a mesmerising 19th-century tea planters’ bungalow carefully restored with 7 themed suites, offering “probably one of the best views in the

island”. The Galle Fort Hotel, situated within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort, is a picturesque and stately Dutch mansion featuring 11 luxurious suites, dating back over 300 years. The group is proud of Ropewalk, situated within the Galle Fort Hotel, which is the world’s first specialty arrack bar. The latest addition to the “Island Life” family is the Warden’s House, a 4-suite luxury safari lodge sitting on an expansive 7-acre property with a refreshing 300-meter riverfront. Once again, giving prominence to experiential tourism, Warden’s House was built in the vicinity of block 5 of the Yala National Park. “Our focus was on driving the quality of the experience of our national park rather than guaranteeing a leopard citing,” Rajaratnam added.

“Island Life Sri Lanka”, in their bold and ambitious expansion of adding 74 keys to the existing 22, will however, ensure that they remain rooted in their values and beliefs and strive to impart the essence of our resplendent island nation to their valued guests.