SET ASIDE FROM THE BUSY STREETS AND YET CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE CITY CENTER,

this is a quiet and homely place to stay. Run as a family concern, the atmosphere is more that of a relaxed guest house, ensuring personal attention - which you will appreciate if your stay is a long one.

Guests of different government agencies, who come on various programmes are often kept here. Overseas volunteers, development workers, and students' groups too favour the place.

It's also convenient for tourists who have a few days' stopover in Colombo. Children are welcome and help is available. The swimming pool, though small, has a separate section for kids. Except for the bar and the rooms, all public areas i.e. the lobby, reception and the restaurant are non-smoking areas.

The cool, red-cement floor of spacious verandas and corridors, a miniature fishpond in the courtyard, and living rooms in the standard quarters complete the image of a friendly big house. The rooms, especially the newly renovated luxury ones are spacious, airy and comfortably furnished. Wide windows overlooking a quiet residential area welcome plenty of natural light. The decor speaks of quiet good taste. If you come with family you may prefer the deluxe suites or apart ments which have two bedrooms each, two bathrooms, one sitting room plus a kitchen. Rates for these are negotiable on your period of stay. The standard rooms are good for those on a rather tight budget. All rooms are air-conditioned, have telephones with IDD facility and televisions with cable connection.

The hotel has a well-equipped conference hall that can accommodate 50 to 100 persons depending on the sitting arrangement. The same serves as a banquet hall, accommodating 200 people. Three similar halls are being built. All these have a separate entrance and staircase through a spacious hall so as not to disturb the other guests. A business center providing secretarial services with fax/email/photocopying is on the way, meanwhile the office of the hotel caters to these needs.