By Feizal Samath 
The latest hotel in Sri Lanka made waves in the tourism and events trade as soon as it was first announced; it was going to be the largest luxury resort in the country and the first internationally-branded high-end property to be built in Hambantota.
Now opened, Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa is regarded as the best multipurpose facility for business events.
Location wise, Colombo is just an hour’s flight away. Daily flights available makes the hotel an easy pre/post-event product for event groups.
Rooms All 300 rooms and suites are luxurious and offer magnificent views of either the golf course, the sparkling lagoon or the Indian Ocean.
My deluxe room was spacious, with all the modern amenities one would expect of a five-star hotel. I especially appreciated the hassle-free Wi-Fi connection, which came complimentary and with instant connectivity, without troublesome password entry.
MICE facilities The hotel’s multipurpose ballroom can seat 1,200 guests and this is supported by five break-out rooms. Planners looking for an outdoor option have sprawling greens to choose from. These lush spaces are dotted with swaying king coconut trees.
Should planner desire, the hotel can help to arrange visits to the nearby Yala Wildlife Park and a bird sanctuary.
Other facilities It is home to an 18-hole golf course, three swimming pools, the signature CHI spa, four restaurants and bars, and The Village, which celebrates local arts and crafts and provides guest activities and entertainment.
This is truly my kind of a business hotel, where I get to mix business with pleasure by playing water sports and a round of golf, before ending the day with a cold beer on the beach bar after the convention is over.
