By Venessa Anthony
Mount Lavinia Hotel, joining in on all the festivities of the month, recently hosted a Christmas soirée by the poolside, which was adorned with fairy lights, and after a brief countdown, the eco-friendly Christmas tree was lit up, bringing the entire venue to life.
The Mount Lavinia Hotel, which is slowly reopening, took steps to make the event environmentally friendly by using a Christmas tree made of coconut fronds, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint. They also made moves to use locally sourced materials, which was an attempt to support the local economy and reduce the environmental impact of transportation.
The evening began with a mulled wine and eggnog reception, followed by sumptuous Christmas-themed canapés featuring a wide variety of dishes from around the world. There was also live music and entertainment, including performances by local artists Voice Print, that kept the party going well into the night.
The highlight of the evening was a special appearance by Santa Claus, who brought cheer to the children in attendance.
Speaking to The Morning Brunch, Mount Lavinia Hotel Chairman Sanath Ukwatte shared that the hotel is back in business, and their plans for the new year are to completely open all their outlets to the public.
“Currently, the poolside bar, the Banquet, and the Governance are fully functional, and we hope the rest will follow soon too,” he added. Right now, the hotel is operating on 100 rooms, and the rest are to be fully opened once arrivals start picking up.
“We are very optimistic that tourism will pick up soon, and we see our hotel being at full capacity come January,” he stated.
Over the years, Mount Lavinia Hotel has gained a reputation as a traditional heritage hotel and has welcomed many famous guests, including celebrities, politicians, and business leaders. It is known for its beautiful colonial-style architecture and rich history. The hotel was originally built in 1806 as a mansion for the Governor of Ceylon, and it was converted into a hotel in the early 20th Century.
“The hotel has always been a traditional heritage hotel and we hope to continue maintaining this aesthetic vibe as guests continue to step foot into our properties,” he told us.
With many more events and promotions in the works, the hotel plans on coming back bigger and better than ever.
Overall, the annual Christmas soirée at Mount Lavinia Hotel was a resounding success, with guests praising the venue, the food, and the entertainment. The hotel said it looks forward to hosting more events in the future and wished all its guests a happy and healthy holiday season.
Photos Saman Abesiriwardana