One man’s dream has become a chain of very special hotels in Sri Lanka. Jetwing Beach in Negombo offers … a lasting legacy of the founder, Herbert Cooray
“…with a gentle swish another wave met the long sandy shoreline, welcoming another dawn. In the far distance, a solitary man stood gazing out to the brightening horizon. This was a beach he knew inside out, a stretch of coast he loved dearly. He had found his space; being naturally generous, he longed to share it – and so, he dreamed of what it could be, one day… “
And, since Herbert Cooray (1929 – 2008) dreamed his dream, that day has come and Jetwing Beach lives up to all his aspirations. A pioneer of tourism in Sri Lanka and founder of Jetwing he started by building Blue Oceanic, a small villa with six rooms and a very warm welcome by Negombo Beach. His ambition was to create a place offering true Sri Lankan hospitality for visitors to the area. Herbert Cooray was also one of the first people in Sri Lanka to promote environmental responsibility and sustainability – a legacy that lives on in the company he founded, Jetwing.
Today, Jetwing is one of the largest, well-respected tourist organisations in Sri Lanka. Its family of hotels offers a range of diverse holiday accommodation each with its own character but all attaining a high standard. Jetwing Beach overlooks the golden sands that fringe the town of Negombo. It offers spacious rooms, outside dining and two swimming pools as well as those little extras that are always appreciated.
Who for
Friends, families, couples and individuals will all feel at home in this lovely hotel. It is the ideal place for a beach holiday, a get away from it all break or a base to explore some of the stunning attractions of Sri Lanka. Its close proximity to Bandaranaike International Airport and a thirty-minute drive from the capital, Colombo makes this a good location for events, local and international meetings and conferences. A large Conference Hall has a separate break out room and amenities include all the technology needed to support any meetings held here.
Accommodation
Jetwing Beach offers 75 deluxe rooms and 3 exclusive suites. Every room here has a private balcony or terrace with captivating views of the Indian Ocean. Plush bathrooms include a separate bath and enclosed rain shower. Every room at Jetwing Beach also includes essential modern amenities including central air conditioning with individual temperature controls, a mini bar, free Wi-Fi, and even a satellite television with access to our in-house DVD library on request.
The exclusive suites include the luxury of a personalised butler service, an exclusive lounge area, a day bed on an extended balcony (ideal for a Signature Dining experience), an open courtyard with its own rain shower, a jacuzzi and two sun beds.
Food & Drink
Dining options at Jetwing Beach include two restaurants, a beachside café and six Signature Dining experiences. The Sands, is a large open-air dining restaurant facing the Indian Ocean. A large buffet and several cooking stations offer a wide variety of cuisines from Sri Lankan dishes, seafood dishes using fresh fish and flavours from the rest of the world. Sumptuous displays include extensive dessert and starter options. Black Coral is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant offering a range of local and international cuisine. And, for something different, the hotel offers four Signature Dining experiences that don’t involve a conventional restaurant setting. Choose between a BBQ on the beach, a meal in your own suite, or al fresco under the stars. The choice is yours and guests can be certain the hotel staff will always be on hand to offer first class service. Casual or light dining is available at The Deck, the hotel’s beachside café. Here you can relax, enjoy a coffee, sip a drink or enjoy a simple breakfast while enjoying a cooling sea breeze and a beautiful view.
Cocktails, mocktails, international spirits, wines from the hotel’s own cellar and a host of other beverages are available from the Terrace Bar. Open every day from 10 am to 11 pm.
Facilities
Apart from all the amenities and services associated with a luxury stay Jetwing Beach also offers two swimming pools, a fully-equipped gym and a spa which offers a good range of beauty treatments. There are also outdoor tennis courts and, for those whose indulgence is retail therapy, a hotel shop. The latter offers clothing, accessories and jewellery made from the gemstones for which Sri Lanka is famous.
How much
Prices start from £64 per night based on two adults staying in a Deluxe Room (breakfast not included). Check the hotel website for special discounts.
What’s nearby
Negombo town is five kilometres down the road from the Jetwing Beach. This coastal town boasts an ancient fishing industry and is famous for its twenty-five catholic churches. They include the church of St Mary which is one of the largest cathedrals in Sri Lanka. During the mid-sixteenth century the arrival of missionaries from Portugal led to a massive conversion to the Catholicism amongst the Tamil and Sinhalese fishermen who lived here. They became known as Karavas. To this day fleets of their simple wooden fishing boats known as oruwas set sail from the sandy beaches that fringe the town. When the boats return some of the fish are spread out on mats to dry while the rest of the catch is either sold on the beach or in the busy fish market. Other attractions in this town that also boasts a lively night life include an unusual Buddhist temple, the Angurukaramulla Temple and an old Dutch fort. It is worth a tuk-tuk ride into town to capture the true flavour of coastal life in Sri Lanka.
VERDICT:
Jetwing Beach is a splendid example of the warm Sri Lankan welcome and carefully curated hospitality for which Jetwing hotels are renowned. It is so much more that a stopover on arrival in Sri Lanka and worth at least a two-night stay to savour its location and excellent facilities and service.
Valery Collins is the Experienced Traveller.
An excellent raconteur, Valery has been writing about her experiences on the road since she started travelling 30 years ago. After publishing four books she turned to online travel writing.