Playback Tuesday with Rich Sutherland

Go Gatsby at Mount Lavinia Hotel this New Year’s Eve

The centuries old mansion has been transformed into the glitzy 1920s and awaits to host the glamorous of all New Year’s Eves with the grandest of entertainment and epicurean cuisine.

The Mount Lavinia Hotel is all set to welcome 2015, bringing to life the Gatsby at the Mount Lavinia for the second time. Guests who attended the ‘Most Decadent’ New Year’s Eve party last year were not disappointed and the promise of a ‘Grand, Glamorous and Glitzy’ 31^st night has been renewed.

As you walk in you will be taken decades back with the ‘Governor’s Mansion’ being converted to the elegant and alluring 1920s atmosphere. The culinary team at Mount Lavinia Hotel consisting of some of the best local and international chefs ensure an impressive spread of food and beverages. Anno Domini and international DJ Alexander Vogt from Australia will keep the entertainment going throughout the night.

Dress up in the 1920s glamour and welcome the New Year in style!

Tickets – Rs. 19,900/-

For Reservations call 0112 711711 Ext. 420/455

All you can Eat Seafood Dinner at the Cove

Book 2 nights or more from 13th - 26th December and receive free room upgrades and much more!

Win tickets to Gatsby at the Mount Lavinia through MLH Mobile App

·         ‘Answer to Win’ promotion launched on Mount Lavinia Hotel mobile app

·         Win amazing prizes from Mount Lavinia Hotel including tickets for 31^st night party ‘Gatsby at the Mount Lavinia’

The Mount Lavinia Hotel mobile app has opened portals to its users by introducing the new ‘Answer to Win’ promotion, enabling users to win prizes ranging from dinner vouchers, event tickets to weekend stays by simply taking the quiz of the month.

The inaugural quiz for the month of December focuses on the hotel’s New Year’s Eve party Gatsby at the Mount Lavinia. Users require to answer three questions regarding the Great Gatsby on which the party is themed, and stand a chance to win prizes such as two tickets to Gatsby at the Mount Lavinia, a weekend stay for two at Mount Lavinia’s sister hotel Club Bentota and Dinner Vouchers at the Governor’s Restaurant.

The Gatsby quiz ends on 21^st December and the subsequent monthly quizzes will focus on each monthly promotion held in the hotel.

“The MLH mobile app was introduced to take the hotel to the fingertips of our patrons. Guests who have the app downloaded to their mobile devices enjoy a variety of services. With the latest addition to the app ‘Answer to Win’ we are widening the opportunities for our guests to visit us and have a memorable experience by simply answering a quiz,” stated the Group General Manager for Mount Lavinia Hotel Group, Bazeer Cassim.

Launched in February 2014, the MLH mobile app includes services such as on-line bookings, event information and an opportunity for patrons to create their own memories on ‘My Lavinia Story’. One can instantly tap into Mount Lavinia Hotel through any mobile phone or tablet anytime, anywhere.

Download the MLH mobile app from any of the following links Or simply search for Mount Lavinia Hotel.

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mlh-mount-lavinia-hotel/id809516376?ls=1&mt=8

Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mlh.mobile.android

Celebrate a Good Ol’ Christmas at Mount Lavinia Hotel

Where else would you go to celebrate a Good Ol’ Christmas than to the oldest and grandest? The Christmas events leading to New Year’s Eve at Mount Lavinia hotel promise you yet another grand experience of the age old celebration.

Revisit the iconic heritage hotel to experience the best of Christmas spreads on Christmas Eve and Christmas day including the traditional stuffed turkey, grand salads, live cooking and carving, and special seafood Christmas dishes of oyster, crab and lobster at the Seafood Cove, followed by delicious Christmas desserts like traditional Christmas pudding, Brudher, Ginger Cookies and apple pie.

The special Christmas line-up will open with the Singing Christmas tree which will come alive this year too from the 14^th to 23^rd December, with a host of angelic voices representing some of Colombo’s best school choirs. The highlight of the Singing Christmas tree would be the guest performance by the Jesus College Choir, Cambridge, UK on the opening night.

The Kids’ Christmas party will include a range of fun-filled activities such as the Winter Wonderland Photo booth, Yuletide Karaoke Carols, Letters to the North Pole, Story time with Saint Nick, Little Elves’ Kitchen and Christmas handcrafts.

Ending the year in the grandest of ways will be Gatsby at the Mount Lavinia; the most Grand, Glamorous and Glitzy New Year’s Eve party. Welcome the New Year in 1920’s style, dancing to the beats of Anno Domini and international DJ Alexander Vogt.

For more details and reservations: 0112 711 711 – 430/446

Good Ol' Christmas!

The Travel Trade clan comes alive to the performance of MLC on the 21st of November 2014!

Ape Kema with Kosala Dullewa at Mount Lavinia Hotel

Mount Lavinia Hotel opens doors to its guests to witness the alluring performance of well-known dancer Kosala Dullewa, who is a testament that talent has no limitations, as he joins to entertain at the Sunday Dinner Buffet - Ape Kema at the Governor’s Restaurant.

Ape Kema is the trademark dinner buffet of the hotel with an extensive spread of authentic Sri Lankan food. Chef Publis, known for his distinct Sri Lankan culinary creations brings you cuisine which has a unique cultural twist, including dishes like Beef Dummassa, Kompittu, Pork  Ambula,  Polos Kadala Curry,  Mutton Chatti Roast,  Bath Rasa Gulawa,  Habalapethi  Pudding, Waraka Gini Sisila  (Flambe) and much more.

 “The Theme Nights at Mount Lavinia Hotel are made to offer our guests a variety of cuisine from across the world. Ape Kema is the dedicated buffet for everything Sri Lankan your taste palate desires. We are pleased to have Kosala Dullewa, an individual with special talent who has brought much fame and prestige to Sri Lanka,” stated Bazeer Cassim, Group General Manager for Mount Lavinia Hotel Group.

Kosala Dullewa is an epitome of achievement. Born with Down syndrome, Kosala took into dancing and captured public attention in 2004 at his solo performance named ‘Diriya Narthana’ at the age of 15. Excelling under the tutelage of Visharada Dimuthu Wijayarathne and Visharada Sakura Senevirathne, Kosala has performed at local and international gatherings including the International VSA Festival held in Washington DC, USA in 2010. Kosala has won awards and recognition at many levels such as Outstanding Performance at the National Dirijaya Awards in 2005 and 2012, and the Personal Improvement Award at The Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of Sri Lanka in 2007. He has been featured in many television programmes and has acted in the stage dramas ‘Memories of a Monkey Boy’ and ‘Sihina Mal Dangakarai’. He also won the Best Performance Award for his short film ‘Dreams’. Kosala is the founder of the Kosala Dullewa Foundation for Children with Special Needs through which he helps children and parents overcome limitations and achieve their dreams. A percentage of proceedings from Ape Kema will be donated to Kosala Dullewa Foundation.

Catch Kosala in action every Sunday from 7 pm to 10.30 pm at the Governor’s Restaurant, Mount Lavinia Hotel.

Ape kema is priced at LKR 2,600/= nett.

Please call 0112711711 Ext: 430/446 for reservations

Ape Kema with Kosala Dullewa

Colombo VIP Night brings the enigma of the Murder on the Orient Express to Mount Lavinia Hotel

A 200 years old historical building in a colonial setting, a Roaring Twenties atmosphere and a classic whodunit mystery to keep you guessing throughout your meal is what is promised when the Mount Lavinia Hotel together with the Annix Group host Murder on the Orient Express - the latest Dinner Theatre experience, on 29^th November 2014.  This SOLD OUT dinner event promises to be a night to remember as they open up the ‘A List’ AFTER PARTY , after 10.30pm, so that you can still be part of this memorable evening!  A special  lounge will be created for after dinner beverages to continue the festivities  until the early hours including DJ music and dancing

Enacted by a cast of famed European actors, the well-known plot will have its own twists and turns, conspiracies, threats, suspicion and MURDER on the plate. Guests are provided the opportunity to interact with the characters, use the clue packs, watch the scenes unravelling and finally, solve the mystery.

This thrilling night will also include a pre-dinner cocktail hosted by Grape Expectations – Favourite International, an exclusive door gift by TRUNK for each VIP Lady and after-dinner beverages with dance and DJ. A grand prize awaits the Best Dressed Couple in the 1920s theme along with many table prizes.

Funds collected from the raffle draw will be donated to Women in Need, a non profit  organization which helps, shelters and rehabilitates women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

‘A List’ AFTER PARTY ticket is available at just Rs 2,500 and includes a complimentary beverage of YOUR choice from the bar.  Tickets are available from TRUNK, Cinnamon Grand Hotel or call the Reservation Hotline on 0772409299.

For event updates please visit Ladies VIP Night Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ladies.vip.night.colombo

Murder Mystery After Party

Good Ol' Christmas!

Mount Lavinia Hotel charms Asia at the Asian Culinary Culture Festival

MLH team led by renowned Master Chef Dr. Publis Silva represents Sri Lanka

A 5 member team from Mount Lavinia Hotel led by Chef Dr. Publis Silva represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Culinary Culture Festival held in Incheon, South Korea which coincided with the 2014 Asian Games. Spanning over 16 days, the festival saw Master Chefs from 10 Asian Countries including Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, India, Indonesia and Vietnam producing the best cuisines unique to their countries to captivate the taste buds of the thousands who gathered for the Asian Games.

“We are proud to have been the chosen delegates to take authentic Sri Lankan cuisine to the rest of Asia. The Asian Games was an enormous platform which brought together the whole of Asia. The popularity of Asian food, be it Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Indian or Sri Lankan is rising around the world and the Asian Culinary Culture Festival was a celebration of this achievement”, stated Bazeer Cassim, Group General Manager of Mount Lavinia Hotel. He further added, “We are once again honoured to have the culinary guru of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine - Dr. Publis Silva to lead the team as he received much recognition and applaud”.

The Asian Culinary Culture Festival was introduced with the aim of adding flavour to sports events and was held in the vicinity of the stadium where the main Asian Games were held. The profits from this festival will be utilised to help children in under-developed Asian Countries.

Gatsby at the Mount Lavinia!

Murder on the Orient Express!

Vakarufalhi Island Resort makes its mark in culinary excellence in the Maldives!

Led by Executive Chef Riccardo Rizzoli, a pioneer in the international culinary industry, the culinary team of Vakarufalhi recently bagged 15 awards including Gold, Silver and Bronze as well as Merit awards at two recently held Culinary Challenges; Food & Hotel Asia, and Hotel Asia – Maldives 2014.

The awards included 2 Gold medals, 4 Silver medals, 9 Bronze medals and 4 Merit Awards covering diverse categories such as Wedding Cake Structures, Hot Cooking, Bread and Pastry Display, Pasta Cooking, Carving and Creative Salad.

Commenting on this achievement Bazeer Cassim, Group General Manager of Mount Lavinia Hotel stated, “We are proud of the culinary accomplishment of our team in Vakarufalhi, which showcases their commitment to enhance their skills and talent in the art of culinary. The team, led by Chef Riccardo Rizzoli has proved its worth once again, by winning many awards and being recognized from among the best in Asia’s hospitality industries. This triumph is a testament of what the Mount Lavinia Group stands to offer our guests; an exquisite culinary experience while enjoying the serenity and grandeur of our hotels and resorts.”

The Vakarufalhi Island Resort is among one of the finest deluxe resort in the Ari-Atoll consisting of 50 Beach Villas and 25 Overwater Villas, constructed and tinged with distinctively Maldivian building concepts, and is a surreal getaway where serenity takes over. The Resort is not only known for its idyllic style and comfort but also for it exquisite cuisine.

Vakarufalhi is the sister property of Mount Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka’s iconic colonial heritage hotel. The MLH Group is committed towards providing culinary excellence to its customers along with developing its brand as a premier culinary destination.

Oktoberfest 2014 gets Tropicalized

Streets of Berlin from 4th – 6th October at MLH

Enjoy must-have authentic German specialties prepared exclusively by German Chef Andreas Pflugmacher at the Mount Lavinia Hotel this October, including the choicest of traditional German sausages, Pork roasts and Pork knuckles, Sauerkraut and many other delicacies with a vast range of speciality brews and beverages on tap.

So come join in the celebration of all things Bavarian from 4^th – 6^th October from 7PM – 10.30PM at Terrace. 

Contact 2711430/446 for reservations and more details.

Streets of Berlin at the Terrace from 4th - 6th October

Country Roads 2014 - Music with the Power to Heal

Groove with Astrid Brook live at one of the World’s best gathering places!

Groove with Astrid Brook live at one of the World’s best gathering places!

Astrid Brook is a folk singer-songwriter based in London, UK. it was only in her late 20’s that Astrid found her voice, her Tanglewood guitar and the vibrant acoustic music scene, and she started to develop her own folk style by performing live. She has played in the UK, America, Canada, Nepal and Sri Lanka. In 2008, Astrid independently released her CD, ‘Wild River’, a simple acoustic album which reflects her live performances. Astrid is currently in the process of writing her third album, which she will release on her own record label.

Through her music, Astrid supports 'The Country Music Foundation of Sri Lanka' (CMF) who work closely with children’s charities and raise money to fund specific projects to help kids.

She will be performing at the Mount Lavinia Hotel Terrace, which was voted by the Newsweek magazine as one of the world’s best gathering places on the 4^th of October from 7PM – 10.30PM as part of her tour.

Please contact us on 2711430/446 for reservations and more details.

Entertainment Lineup

Mount Lavinia Hotel clinch Two Gold Awards at BestWeb.lk competition

Mount Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka’s most celebrated colonial mansion with a history spanning over 200 years was the recent recipient of multiple awards from the prestigious national BestWeb.lk 2014 Competition.

The Mount Lavinia Hotel site (www.mountlaviniahotel.lk) was adjudged the ‘BestWeb.lk 2014 Overall Gold Winner’ and also received the Gold award for the ‘Best Travel and Tourism Website’.

“We are honoured to be recognized once again by the BestWeb.lk Competition.” said Chinthaka Daluwatte - Director Sales and Marketing, commenting on this achievement. “Mount Lavinia Hotel continues to win awards because of our commitment towards embracing overall customer experience, which goes beyond website design. The website provides the perfect window fronting our digital marketing and social media engagement services. Our social customer care is a hallmark of the online reputation we continue to build upon.” 

“Winning the Overall Best Website at the BestWeb.lk 2014 competition affirms Mount Lavinia Hotel as one of the leading hospitality partners in the country.” he added.

This year’s BestWeb.lk Awards contributed to the Hotel’s continued winning spree in the Competition. Previously, Mount Lavinia Hotel secured Gold for Overall Best Web in 2012 and also Gold for Best Corporate Website. In 2010 the Hotel received the Gold award for Best Web and the Best Tourism Website of the Year.

Conducted by LK Domain Registry, an independent non-profit organization helping to promote unique Sri Lankan identity online, the Bestweb.lk competition is now an annual calendar event to choose the finest Sri Lanka websites.

Judging the competition was an imminent Panel, comprising experts with broad web proficiency capable of discerning innovative and extraordinary creative brilliance in website design. Criteria including aspects of design, technology, content and quality of interaction were evaluated.

Website traffic and public voting for their favourite websites attracted interest in this novel Competition as the online community too participated. BestWeb.lk positively provides a unique platform and rewards individuals and organisations responsible for developing some of the most effective and best websites in Sri Lanka.

Harley Davidson - Street Thunder Beach Party 2014

Mount Lavinia Hotel featured in Amazing Race All-Stars (2014) Season

Mount Lavinia Hotel once the residence to four British Governor’s, the country’s iconic colonial heritage hotel joined forces with the Emmy award-winning reality competition series ‘The Amazing Race’ during its recent race stop in Sri Lanka.

The Amazing Race: All-Stars (2014) which is the twenty-fourth installment of the reality television series, the Amazing Race witnessed contestants from previous seasons participating in this famous race around the world.

A total of 11 teams travelled an impressive 4 Continents, 9 Countries, 22 Cities and 35,000 miles. Beginning with the First Leg in the United States, Legs 5 and 6 were held in Sri Lanka with the Pit-stop (finish line) for Leg 6 being the breathtaking beachfront of the Mount Lavinia Hotel. Race contestants Leo & Jamal, Cousins and participants of Season 23, won a trip for two to Berlin, Germany for being placed first in this leg of the race.

Located in the coastal town of Mount Lavinia, enfolding a legacy of 200 years, the Mount Lavinia Hotel offers world class service encapsulating Sri Lanka’s golden colonial heritage. The Hotel allows direct access to the beach meeting the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean and provides the perfect location for the Amazing Race contestants to step into one of the world’s most exotic gathering places.

“During our legacy of over 200 years, The Mount Lavinia Hotel continues to uphold its innovative approach in engaging customers. Through the Amazing Race, with its unique format of participants racing across the world and this series provides us a unique opportunity to showcase our breathtaking location, stylish, contemporary and upbeat energy of our service and genuine hospitality. We believe viewers and fans of this series world over will also be keen to experience the distinctive choices at Mount Lavinia Hotel,” said Ms. Dulani Rupasinghe, P.A to Chairman/ Manager Social Media at Mount Lavinia Hotel.

Good Times Five!

MLH Sports Club Carrom Team – Victorious Yet Again!!

The MLH Sports club is proud to announce that our carrom team has proven to be champions yet again for the second consecutive year, winning the Men's Championship, Women's Single, Women's Double and Women's Double's Runner Up events at the recently concluded Travel Trade Carrom Championship.

The team consisting of Duminda, Pushpakumara, Priyankara, Rajapaksha, Hemapala, Chandimal, Nimanthi, Sakila, Deshani, Endra, Pathima and Pathmini are warmly congratulated by the sports team for their enthusiasm, sportsmanship and team effort that went into this well-deserved victory.

Mount Lavinia Hotel Celebrates Ifthar once again

Mount Lavinia Hotel, as a responsible corporate entity, hosted a cross section of the Muslim community on the 15^th July for its yearly Ifthar celebrations at the Empire Ballroom with the participation of the Chairman and staff.

The Imam conducted prayers and recitation of the Holy Quran followed by a traditional Ifthar dinner.

MLH, built on traditions of over 200 years, has long been celebrating many important cultural events of every community and faith in Sri Lanka - such as Christmas, Thai pongal, Ramazan & Vesak as integral to our ideal of building and maintaining good relations with all communities in Sri Lanka.

Moulavi Ziyard Ibrahim who conducted the prayers commented “Just wanted to thank you all again for Ifthar & dinner last night. As every year it was really great. We actually had an absolute welcoming and serving staff. They made us feel like kings and VVIP’s.  Food was fabulous and fantastic. The Managements and staff of MLH are so gifted to have the pure blessings of several devotees and pious fasting mouths asking God to reward you. According to our religion, he who assists someone in ending fast will get the same reward as the one who observed fasting. Thank you once again”

Swiss Chef to enhance the Upcoming Swiss Food Festival at MLH

Swiss people love good food, music and wine. Savoring the world famous Swiss cheeses is considered an everlasting memory. The Mount Lavinia Hotel is promoting “A Taste of Switzerland” for the second consecutive year, backed by their main sponsor Baurs. Where a Seven day long spread of distinctive, regionally influenced cuisine from the diverse areas of German, French, Romantsch and Italian speaking Switzerland will be on offer. Cheese Fondue, Raclette, Cervelat Sausages, Air dried Grison Beef, Smoked Grison Ham and many more specials, accompanied by Switzerland’s popular and fragrant white, rosé and red wines. This gastronomic experience, unique in Sri Lanka, is held from July 30^th to August 5^th at the Maitland State Room of the Mount Lavinia Hotel priced at LKR3200/- +++

Chef Marco Amatore, who is a native of Switzerland, will bring out the best of authentic Swiss cuisine in Sri Lanka.

Please call 2711 711, extension 446/430 to make your reservation today.