Aug 29 2013.
views 3135Theva Residencies Hantane : Gem in the Hills
If one was asked to list what struck them most about the cultural capital, Kandy very briefly, the responses would commonly revolve around
· The majestic Temple of the Tooth Relic
· Beautiful lake
· Stunning natural setting and chilly climate
· Fascinating history
and of course,
· the most colourful prestigious religious festival in the country, the Kandy Esala Perahera.
We’ve learned over the years that the annual pageant attracts crowds from all parts of the country and the globe, providing an unforgettable spectacle every year.
We were invited by Ms. Dheeshana Amarasekara last weekend, for a stay at a boutique hotel in Kandy known as ‘Theva Residencies’, a perfect definition of a ‘gem on the hills’.
We couldn’t help but hope for a peaceful retreat from the chaotic clutter in Colombo.
The journey to Theva Residencies, glistening atop the splendour of the ‘Hantane’ hills with idyllic views of the Kandy town and surrounding mountains, was a comfortable three hour drive from Colombo.
The entrance from the sleek gates had sparkles of Kandyan dancing attire paving way to a mini tour of the Kandy Perahera. I was startled by the designer’s keen eye to detail; using exquisite elements of the Kandy Perehara for a stylish interior.
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We were greeted by the homely staff with a tropical ‘Amberella Juice’ and were ushered away to our suite on the second level of the tastefully designed boutique hotel.
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Rooms
Our suite ‘Thuna’ (Three) was equipped with superior amenities including an indoor Jacuzzi and endless views of the Kandy town and mystical hills surrounding it.
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The room décor revolved around a Kandyan dancer in shades of blue. It was spacious and outfitted with an assortment of plush furnishings, LCD television, cable connection, Wi-Fi and broadband connectivity, bathrobes, minibar, in-room safe, temperature control, a kettle and hair dryer.
The first thing that crossed my mind was to turn on some soft soul music and bask in the Jacuzzi sipping a beverage. The image of busy streets, piles of work and constant phone calls was instantly forgotten.
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The hotel accommodation consists of a penthouse, suites, superior balcony rooms and standard deluxe rooms accumulating to 11 rooms. The bathrooms are wrapped in shades of white and dark grey equipped with a rain shower and toiletries.
Pool & Bar
The views from the infinity edged pool are priceless- a picturesque marvel complemented by a lounge where you could indulge in a sassy drink and conversation.
The hotel bar is well stocked with an array of beverages you could choose from for that extra zest on a chilly day.
Theva Indulgences
After a relaxing yet extra-chilly swim in the Theva infinity edged pool, we quenched our evening’s thirst with three prize winning beverages at the recently concluded Culinary Art Competition, including the Sunset Cooler, Sundown and ‘Athura’.
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My pick for the evening was ‘Athura’. It was a rustic concoction blended with a rich coconut cream and spices.
Theva Residencies takes great pride in preparing the ‘perfect’ dish to suit every palate.
The a la carte menu had a combination of Sri Lankan, Thai, Mexican, Indian and Western cuisine, giving guests an array of options to choose from, for all three meals.
We dined under the stars at the dining terrace. According to the hotel staff, the outdoor dining facility is a new addition to the hotel and is well received by most guests. We also learned that dinner/lunch reservations can be accommodated. So if you’re heading to Kandy, make sure you stop by for a scrumptious meal with your friends or folks.
Dinner started off with the ‘Soup of the Day’ – The Cream of Carrot and Orange served in a Bread Bowl.
Verdict: Creamy and zesty! The bread and soup combo tasted so good, we ripped the bread bowl apart.
Next up was Prawn Fajitas served with Mexican Rice, Refried Beans, Guacamole and Sour Cream
Verdict: Explosion of sweet, sour and spicy flavours in your mouth
For the sweet finale I had a Coconut Semi-freddo with Cinnamon Poached Pears
Verdict: Simple and not too sweet
Breakfast
I sampled a variety of the specialties off the menu including a basket of bread and homemade jams, an egg and sausage burrito and a platter of delicately cut Sri Lankan fruits.
Egg and Sausage Burrito
The essence of Mexican Cuisine was further showcased with a yummy and filling Egg and Sausage Burrito
Verdict: Heavy breakfast, perfect to kick off a long day
Lunch
Well it’s always nice to catch up on a Sri Lankan Rice & Curry and; the hotel gladly obliged with the Theva Rice served with a whopping SEVENTEEN accompaniments. This time around it wasn’t just a plate but a TRAY of Rice and Curry.
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Verdict: Local flavours and spices were preserved well. My star accompaniments for the afternoon were the crispy and rustic cashews and tempered ‘amberella’
For dessert, I opted to have a Guava Cheesecake with Blueberry Calais and I’m proud to say I did make a wise choice.
Verdict: Guava was an interesting addition to the creamy cheesecake
Each dish was so well plated that it was hard for me to dig-in, but luckily, those feelings lasted merely a few seconds. Every dish I tried was scrumptious !
Apart from everything I had, here’s a list of MUST TRYS at the hotel.
Grilled Lamb crust with Herb Crust served with Mash Potatoes, Cucumber Provencal and Mint Sauce
Dark & White Chocolate Mousse with Passion Fruit Sauce
Watalapan Pot
Service
Service at Theva Residencies was professional, homely, consistent and most importantly reliable.
What impressed me most is the fact that the staff is well aware of the hotel’s strengths in service, dining and accommodation. All guests who were present over that weekend seemed very satisfied.
Overall Verdict
Service: 9/10
Food & Beverage: 10/10
Ambiance: 8/10
How to book:
T: 081 – 7388296 – 99
If Kandy’s is your next holiday destination Theva Residencies is a MUST STAY!
Text by Keshiya Leitch
0 Comments
indika wekadapola says:
Oct 20, 2013 at 12:00 amsuper... place