THE NEWLY REFURBISHED

Ceylon Continental Hotel is situated a few metres away from Colombo's sea front, just off the busy Galle Road. If you're here for a long-term business project then this is one of the best options for you. It's close enough to the bustling city center to be extremely convenient, and yet far away and secluded enough to provide rest and relaxation after a hard day's work.

The interior is spacious and friendly and attractively decorated in bright, cool colours and the staff is very courteous and efficient. All 250 rooms are elegant and comfortable, having a great view of the sea and harbour, air conditioning, phones, mini bars, local and cable TV and a bath for you to luxuriate in. There are 22 Junior, Club, Special and Presidential suites in the hotel and all the other rooms are categorized as deluxe.

You will be spoilt for choice in terms of what to eat and where. Breakfast and lunch here are buffet style combinations of eastern and western fare, dinner is
à la carte and the Continental has a variety of speciality restaurants such as the 'Pearl' seafood restaurant, the Indian 'Tandoor', the Italian 'La Vita Ristorante', that has gained a legendary reputation for its pizza and romantic view of the lighthouse and sea, and an open air Beer and Barbecue Garden. The indoor Heist Bar serves an extensive range of local and imported liquor and provides light entertainment during the evening.

The hotel also has a business center and fully equipped gym, ample provision for children and a doctor on call as well as in-house shops that provide basic amenities. If you can't find what you're searching for there, don't forget that you're just minutes away from the host of large shopping malls, supermarkets, banks, nightclubs, bars and restaurants that this metropolis has to offer. Take advantage of the tennis and squash courts here and remember to ask the travel desk for information about tours to all parts of the island.