Hotels (Commonwealth Union) _ Adding another gem to Kandy’s hospitality portfolio, ‘Devon Rest’ recently reopened after a complete refurbishment. Owned by the Weeraratne family’s diversified Devon Group, this property, originally established in 1991, sits majestically across the Kandy Lake. The transformation into a 26-room Luxury City Hotel marks a new chapter for the beloved resort, which had partially shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve undertaken a comprehensive refurbishment, incorporating eye-catching interior designs and introducing numerous modern luxuries and amenities,” said Director Ameesha Weeraratne, the driving force behind the hotel’s reopening. With aspirations to elevate ‘Devon Rest’ to a four-star Luxury City Hotel, several new features have been added. These include family rooms, non-smoking rooms, facilities for disabled guests, tea and coffee making facilities, mini-bars, and free Wi-Fi. Each of the 26 air-conditioned rooms boasts a balcony with a picturesque lake view.
One of the main attractions is the hotel’s rooftop area, offering a bird’s-eye view of the serene Kandy city. This outdoor dining space can accommodate around 30 guests and is available for private and corporate functions, with plans to increase capacity further.
The hotel also features a modern restaurant and café, welcoming both in-house and outside guests. A special elevated private dining area for up to four guests has been created, which can also host special functions for around 60 guests. “With tourism picking up, we are maintaining high occupancy, and upcoming winter bookings look very positive, especially from the UK and European markets,” Weeraratne added. Devon Rest provides a 24-hour front desk, concierge service, currency exchange, and airport shuttle service, ensuring a seamless experience for guests. The reopening of Devon Rest complements the Devon Group’s flagship property, the five-star Grand Kandyan Hotel. This luxurious hotel features two Presidential and three honeymoon suites, 78 deluxe rooms, 17 standard rooms, multiple ballrooms accommodating over 2,500 guests, a multi-purpose conference hall, three restaurants, and a swimming pool.
