See a Different Side to Sri Lanka on the New Trails of Bawa Architectural Tour
26 March 2024 – Heritance Hotels and Resorts, the flagship brand of Aitken Spence Hotels, has launched a new tour that promises guests a journey through the creative mind of world-renowned Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa, credited as the father of ‘Tropical Modernism’, a design combination of traditional and modern architectural identity.
The Trails of Bawa tour is an architectural odyssey through some of Sri Lanka’s iconic spaces designed by Deshamanya Geoffrey Bawa, and is a curated experience that immerses guests in the architectural brilliance of the Father of Modern Tropicalism over four nights and five days. The itinerary is curated to showcase the nature and locations that inspired Bawa, and will give guests ample time to explore five iconic spaces integral to Bawa’s Sri Lanka: Revered resorts Heritance Kandalama, Heritance Ayurveda, and Heritance Ahungalla, as well as the residence Lunuganga Garden and No. 11, Colombo, Geoffrey Bawa’s personal home.
To enhance the guest experience, the tour includes overnight stays at both Heritance Kandalama and Heritance Ahungalla.
Envisioned and created by Deshamanya Geoffrey Bawa, Heritance Kandalama is located in the area known as Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, and is an architectural wonder set amidst a lush conservation forest spanning 224 acres, almost invisible amidst the greenery that surrounds it. Promising panoramic views from wherever you stand, the hotel itself is a unique Sri Lankan tourist destination which doesn’t just sit on the landscape but is naturally a part of it.
From the inception of the hotel, the theme of sustainability was ingrained into its DNA and follows international conservation practices to date. In fact, Heritance Kandalama was the first LEED-certified hotel outside of the USA, was the inaugural Green Globe certified hotel in Asia, and is the guardian of Sri Lanka’s longest-certified ISO 14001 Environment Management system. With hospitality at heart, the eco resort denotes originality in every guest’s experience.
The first-five star beach resort in Sri Lanka, Heritance Ahungalla is an idyllic seaside escape as it fuses site, climate and tradition to unveil a property that invites relaxation.
Bawa’s open design concept is evident from the moment you driven in from the main road, as the four blues meet your eye: blue of the pond, blue of the pool, blues of the ocean and the blue skies above. Catering to a clientele that yearns for the infinite views of the sea, alongside superior facilities and amenities, the hotel is also well-known for its exceptional cuisine and outstanding service.
Each stop throughout the Trail is testament to Bawa’s vision, artfully showcasing the innovative use of open spaces, natural light, and local materials, creating an ambiance that embodies the essence of Tropical Modernism.
Heritance Hotels and Resorts firmly believes that Geoffrey Bawa’s influence on architecture is immeasurable, and is delighted to present the ‘Trails of Bawa’ as a tribute to his architectural brilliance.
The Trails of Bawa is more than just an ordinary tour, it’s a curated experience to witness the texture, breathe in the scents, and hear the whispers of nature that inspired one of the most celebrated architects of the 21st century to create his timeless masterpieces.
Heritance Hotels and Resorts proudly stands as the custodian of the largest portfolio of Bawa designed hotels in Sri Lanka, namely Heritance Kandalama, Heritance Ahungalla and Heritance Ayurveda and it is our duty to honour and perpetuate his legacy.
To book, or to find out more, visit:
https://www.heritancehotels.com/kandalama/experiences/trails-of-bawa.html
ENDS
For press trip requests for this tour, contact [email protected]
Notes To Editors:
Image Captions:
Image 1: Revered resort Heritance Kandalama, is a highlight on the Trails of Bawa tour, featuring the incredible nature and location that inspired Bawa.
Image 2: The Trails of Bawa itinerary is curated to showcase the work of celebrated architect Deshamanya Geoffrey Bawa, including Heritance Ahungalla.
For these and other tour high-resolution images, click here.
About Aitken Spence Hotels
Aitken Spence Hotels is part of the Sri Lankan blue-chip conglomerate Aitken Spence PLC. Aitken Spence Hotels owns and operates 17 hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka, Maldives, Oman and India. The Company’s owned hotels are reflected under the Heritance, Adaaran and Turyaa brands, popular around the world for its exceptional service and undisputed product and curated lifestyle experiences. The Company’s Sri Lankan portfolio includes eight hotels and resorts spread across the island of which five are Heritance properties, whilst the Maldives resorts totals to five (with one Heritance resort), three in Oman and one in India.
Media Enquiries: Fiona Anderson, GEC PR | [email protected]