IN THE NORTHERN OUTSKIRTS OF KANDY,

on the bank of the Mahawelli river, this palatial hotel, with its exotic flowering gardens, gracefully reaches out to the water. The stone boundary walls and the bamboo shaded grand entrance give it a look worthy of its name. Once inside, the open, breezy lobby and the wide corridors leading off to different wings give you a feeling of freedom and space.

Promising first class services at moderate prices, the hotel attracts tourists as well as national and international organisations. The air conditioned conference hall - well-equipped, functionally and tastefully arranged - is frequently used by educational institutions too. Students and scholars often come on study tours or for longer stay to do some work in peace. The hotel also offers attractive wedding packages for foreigners.

From the ground floor, rows of rooms with large balconies gently rise to the sloping roofs. They all face the meandering river and the garden. Warm earth colours on bedspread and cushions, black and white tapestry on the wall, batik drapery, and handsome furniture make the rooms beautiful. The traditional paintings on the doors, tapestries on corridor walls, and skilfully patterned floors of mainly terracotta tiles are delightful touches. The superior rooms have a cosy sitting corner, a television with satellite channels, a minibar, tea/coffee maker and a bathtub with shower.

The swimming pool, on a terracotta-tiled terrace, is literally sparkling blue. The impressive lobby bar gets especially lively in the evening with music, singing or perhaps a magic show or fire limbo display.

Beside the pool-deck, overlooking the river, is the fine-dining restaurant, well-known for its sea food and equally popular with guests and city dwellers. It's here that the occasional discos take place.

Hotel boats are available to take you to a private elephant park, combining a river-cruise, bird watching, an elephant ride and elephant watching all in one package. Most attractive of all is the serene atmosphere and the magnificent views of the river and the thick tree-covered villages on the opposite bank.