Great Escapes – Fall 2018

CHENA HUTS BY UGA ESCAPES WIN SRI LANKA’S LEADING LODGE 2018 AWARD

Chena Huts by Uga Escapes has been acclaimed as The Sri Lanka’s Leading Lodge 2018 at the 25th World Travel Awards, Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony 2018 organized by World Travel Awards.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence. Its annual programme is renowned as the most prestigious and comprehensive in the global industry. Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with its Grand Tour – a series of regional gala ceremonies to recognize excellence within each continent, culminating in a Grand Final at the end of the year. Among them Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony 2018 held in Hongkong recently, is hailed as the most important night of the year for Asia and Australasia’s tourism industry, and it demonstrate just why the region is experiencing unprecedented uplift, regardless of the challenging global economic environment.

Graham E. Cooke, Founder and President of World Travel Awards, described the event as the ‘Oscars’ of the global industry, said the event is a brilliant barometer of the region’s phenomenal success. “What is remarkable though is that according to the latest official figures, Asia and the Pacific is leading the world. World Travel Awards was established 17 years ago to drive up standards of customer service and overall performance and this year’s winners will be an excellent business model for others to follow.” He added.

Commenting on the special occasion, Mr. Thashinthan Panchanathan, General Manager of Chena Huts by Uga Escapes added “We are honored to receive this award as a leading holiday destination in the region, representing Sri Lanka. This award is testament to the creative approach and the dedication of Uga Escapes Management (Pvt) Ltd to maintain the customer satisfaction and hold Chena Huts as an exquisite destination for nature loving travelers providing peace, privacy to experience nature at its best. We hope to use the international exposure and expertise covering every sector of tourism industry; we receive through this award to improve Chena Huts in the future”

Chena Huts by Uga Escapes is a boutique hotel located in Yala and consists of 14 luxurious cabins completing with individual plunge pools and panoramic views. It is located in the heart of Sri Lanka’s wild spectacle of Yala, a world renowned site for its diverse array of wildlife and the island’s second largest nature reserve up-close. Following the cultural heritage and architecture, Chena Huts comprise over fourteen 1130 sqft cabins, which offers a perfect getaway among the wilderness without compromising on luxury. Chena huts is the proud owner of the largest Private cabins in Yala, and the only property in Yala that has a private pool for each cabin. Cabins at Chena Huts, Yala are family friendly and able to accommodate 2 children in a cabin. In addition to the comfortable stay at the cabins Chena Huts has experienced rangers escorting you on personalized safari’s. Irresistible cocktails, delectable food accompanied with one of the most luxurious spas in the country, with a variety of indulgent treatments are many other compliments added to make the stay magical. Above all these huts are exclusively designed to bring the nature’s most important luxury to those who keep running in the busy urban schedules; utmost privacy and tranquility.

Chena Huts by Uga Escapes was chosen by voters across the globe for a World Travel Award, which is viewed as the ultimate achievement for any Asian or Australasian company. More than 80 travel brands are competing to be the best and consumers, including travelers, international celebrities who are seeking peace of mind, are increasingly using the World Travel Awards winners list as a reliable resource when choosing a holiday.

ULAGALLA MARKS 8TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A GROUNDBREAKING CSR PROJECT

Ulagalla by Uga Escapes celebrated 8 years of successful operations in the most rewarding way. Last year, the resort embarked on building two sanitary facilities for the Punchikulama School in the village in celebration of the resort’s anniversary. In line with the anniversary tradition and in keeping with the company’s ethos towards the betterment of the community, Ulagalla has once again made a collective decision to provide a house to one of their employees.

The recipient was Chandra Kumari, a 42 year old mother of two children who has been employed for close to a year and works in the garden. She has been struggling with issues especially after her husband was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. The struggle for Chandra had intensified even more after she has begun to face difficulties in taking care of basic needs as well as the education of her two children, who are both girls.

In light of this, and in keeping with the resort’s commitment towards helping realize an employee member’s aspiration in owning their own home, Ulagalla by Uga Escapes decided to pledge their support to Chandra and her family.

Commenting on the formalities that went into the new home, Uga Escapes, CEO Mr. Ramli Gaffoor said, “We have Assisted Chandra in receiving the land transfer in her name by way of an agreement. Completion of this project will ensure the construction of a new house for the family and the proceedings will be assisted with the help of Uga Escapes, Ulagalla by UgaEscapes and through contributions received from guests and a few managers”.

RONAN KEATING AT CHENA HUTS BY UGA ESCAPES

While Boyzone’s concert built hype amongst the music enthusiasts in Sri Lanka, the band’s lead singer and most popular member Ronan Keating has decided to enjoy the serenity of the island prior to the big event in Colombo.

For those in the limelight seeking out a destination to soothe and get-away from it all, Sri Lanka is celebrated around the world, to provide a spectacular, private and a peaceful get-away destination and by today, Uga escapes has the resources and destinations to cater the elite demand to experience and enjoy the island. Among all these rising destinations, Chena Huts by Uga Escapes provided a perfect get-away destination for stars such as Ronan Keating.

Ronan Keating later gushed about his stay saying “It was phenomenal. I fell in love with the place. It was so gorgeous, so rustic. Like nothing I had ever seen, they had the Jungle and the beach just next to each other. It was amazing, elephants were just roaming around! It was amazing! We loved it”