THIS IS A SMALLISH, NEAT AND CLEAN HOTEL

that caters mostly to people coming on business or tourists who need a stopover in the city for a day or two. Many business people from South Asian countries and the Middle-East prefer to stay here. The NGOs often put their long staying workers here. Prices are moderate and negotiable for larger groups and longer stays.

Its central location makes the hotel a convenient halt for business or leisure. Offices, business centers and shopping malls are nearby. The sea is very close by and you can easily go for a walk along the beach on a free afternoon or evening.

Although it's not a large establishment, the reception and big lounge at the entrance creates a feeling of space and welcome, promising a comfortable stay. The rooms are all standard, air-conditioned, and comfortably furnished with twin or double beds. These are spacious rooms, nicely decorated, each with a mini fridge, a telephone with IDD facility and a television with cable connection. A call to Europe will cost you around 200 rupees per minute while a call to the Asian countries would be under a hundred rupees.

The hotel's public bar Wood Rose has a comfortable, well-used atmosphere and offers a chance to interact with the Colombo people from neighbouring areas. Meals are served in Golden Palace, the hotel's Chinese restaurant. You also get a variety of Eastern and Western dishes there. Sapphire runs a sea food restaurant - `Lavinia Breeze' - on the beach at Mount Lavinia and guests can go there for meals by the hotel's transport.

Two spacious banquet halls (accommodating 240 and 300 people) are quite popular for wedding receptions and other functions. Twelve luxury rooms, including two suites, along with an auditorium for conferences are under construction.