Bangkok, June 6, 2024: Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has added two properties in Sri Lanka, marking the introduction of its upper-upscale NH Collection Hotels & Resorts and upscale NH Hotels & Resorts brands in the country.
Minor Hotels will manage the two properties, one in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo and the other in the beachside town of Bentota, following an agreement with Softlogic Holdings, the properties’ owner.
NH Collection Colombo Hotel opened its doors on June 1st in the heart of the city, steps away from Liberty Arcade and the Indian Ocean, and within a 10-minute drive of the National Museum, Independence Square and Pettah Market. Sri Lanka’s main airport, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), is a 45-minute drive from the property. The five-star hotel boasts 219 rooms and suites, ranging from 355 to 2,734 sq ft and includes the city’s largest Presidential Suite. All rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows providing expansive views of the Indian Ocean or the city.
NH Collection Colombo has six food and beverage outlets offering authentic global flavors, including international all-day dining, specialty Indian, and specialty Thai and Japanese restaurants; a rooftop bar with panoramic sunset ocean views; and a café and a lounge off the hotel’s lobby. For business and event needs, the hotel offers modern meeting and event spaces that accommodate up to 200 attendees in two banquet facilities, five meeting rooms and a boardroom. NH Collection Colombo’s wellness amenities include a state-of-the-art gym, rooftop infinity pool and spa.
Ninety minutes south of Colombo along the island’s west coast, NH Bentota Ceysands Resort sits between the Bentota River and the Indian Ocean. The 166-key property, scheduled to open July 1st, includes rooms and suites from 398 sq ft to 1,496 sq ft. NH Bentota’s amenities include an expansive swimming pool with stunning ocean views, a water sports center, a spa and a kid’s club. Guests can dine at one of the property’s five restaurants and bars, including an international all-day dining restaurant, Thai and seafood specialty restaurants, a light bites café and the pool bar.
Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International, said: “Sri Lankan tourism witnessed an impressive rebound in 2023, more than doubling its arrivals in the past year. This strong momentum has continued into the first quarter of this year, and arrivals are projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels and nearing or even exceeding 2018’s record high. We are excited to be part of this recovery and look forward to capitalizing on the pent-up demand with our partner Softlogic Holdings through these new NH Collection and NH properties.”
Ashok Pathirage, Chairman of Softlogic Holdings, added: “We are delighted to collaborate with Minor Hotels to manage our property in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Minor Hotels has a proven track record of successful management and is renowned for its exceptional hospitality standards. We at Softlogic Holdings are excited to be a part of NH Collection and NH’s debut in Sri Lanka and look forward to an outstanding partnership with Minor Hotels in the future.”
NH Collection Colombo Hotel and NH Bentota Ceysands Resort join Minor Hotels’ three properties in Sri Lanka – Anantara Kalutara Resort, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort and Avani Kalutara Resort – and over 90 NH Collection and 230 NH hotels and resorts worldwide. The additions continue Minor Hotels’ global expansion of the NH Collection and NH brands into the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, Asia and Australia.
