It may come as a surprise to many, but Sri Lanka offers a rich diversity of hotels and venues equipped to host MICE and other events. Here is India Outbound’s selection of some of the best.

What does a MICE group look for when selecting a destination? Proximity, ease of access, MICE facilities, good hotels, great food, amazing outdoors, unique leisure and group activities, culinary choices and of course, the cost. Impossible to get all of this in one destination? Think again. Think Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has everything that a MICE group organiser needs or is looking for. From alluring beaches and serene countryside to ancient ruins and glorious national parks, as well as being the hub of age-old traditions and a plethora of good hotels ideal for hosting MICE groups of varied sizes, this destination has it all.

First, it is the closest destination from India that has excellent connectivity from all parts of the country as SriLankan Airlines as well as numerous Indian carriers offer good connections. An e-visa makes life easier and of course the familiarity with Indian travellers, including corporate travellers, means the destination and its tourism stakeholders are well-prepared to deal with any demand or request, however unusual it may sound to others. And of course the cherry on the cake is a highly favourable exchange rate that means Sri Lanka offers a far better value for money than any other.

India Outbound was recently invited to Sri Lanka to experience first hand the wide variety of MICE-oriented hotels that this country has to offer. Even though there are myriad options in hotels, we bring you the top 10 Hotels in Sri Lanka that are not only ideal for a family vacation but are also perfect for hosting MICE events.

Shangri-La Hambantota

Spread over an immense 58-hectare property, Shangri-La Hambantota, the largest resort in Sri Lanka, spoils its guests with vast variety of activities, making it an ideal spot for holding team-building exercise or corporate meetings. Overlooking the pristine southern coast, Shangri-La Hambantota is located along the ancient Spice Route in a city steeped in history. Besides several stunning pools, overlooking the ocean vistas, and several activity zones, the hotel also offers Sri Lanka’s only resort golf course with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. Designed by world-renowned golf architect, Rodney Wright, the 18-hole golf course spreads across a vast coconut palm plantation, a sapphire quarry, lakes and sand dunes, offering distinctive challenges for both beginners and seasoned players.

Hambantota is also known for its natural beauty and allows visitors to explore Sri Lanka’s numerous nature and wildlife sanctuaries, including the Yala, Udawalawe, Lunugamvehera and Bundala National Parks.

Rooms: 300
Distance from airport: 280 km
MICE facilities with pax: 800 cluster

Cinnamon Bentota Beach

There are several unique features that catch a visitor’s attention even before you step foot in Cinnamon Bentota Beach hotel, designed by Geoffrey Manning Bawa, who was not only Sri Lanka’s most renowned architect, but also one of the leading Asian designers. Bawa’s touch can be found every where in the hotel.

The ceiling of the lobby has exotic batik painted panels designed by the Aluvihare Heritage Centre. These panels are a copy of the original that was done in 1967. Thanks to Bawa’s ingenuity, the hotel gives the feel of a large mansion or castle, with numerous water bodies spread all through the property.

Nestled along the mesmerising Indian Ocean and overlooking breath taking stretches of palm-fringed beaches and a winding river, Cinnamon Bentota Beach is the ultimate tropical paradise destination. The hotel is a favourite not just for corporate events, but also for personal occasions like marriages or celebrations.

Rooms: 159
Distance from airport: 110 km
MICE facilities with pax: 200

Taj Samudra, Colombo

One of the first Taj Hotels outside India, Taj Samudra in Colombo spells sumptuous luxury. Facing the historic Galle Face Green, this hotel in Colombo offers enchanting views of the mesmerising Indian Ocean and comes with its own 11 acres of landscaped gardens. The most captivating part of the immense hotel is its top floor that comes with the option of privatisation. The Tata Suite, used by Heads of States on visits to Sri Lanka, is ideal for the CEO of a large corporate house and comes with every facility that one can dream of. The hotel is very popular with Indian guests and is frequently used for MICE events.

Taj Samudra houses some of the most spectacular and unique banquet and conference venues. The ocean-view Samudra Ballroom is ideal for celebratory dinners; the historical 1860s Crystal Building is perfect for traditional weddings, the conference halls are designed to host formal board meetings.

Rooms: 270
Distance from airport: 80 km
MICE facilities with pax: 600-800

Cinnamon Grand, Colombo

Centrally located in the heart of capital Colombo, with practically everything at a stone’s throw, Cinnamon Grand Colombo makes for an ideal venue for MICE, weddings and other large events. Besides large and well-equipped facilities to cater to events, the hotel also offers opulent rooms, with exquisite comforts, that Colombo’s most lavish business hotel offers. The lobby is dominated by a glass dome that lets in a lot of natural light during the day. Its numerous restaurants cater to all palates and completing the experience is its urbane look and feel, combined with impeccable service.

Rooms: 235
Distance from airport: 80 km
MICE facilities with pax: 600-800

Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort

The most striking feature of the Sheraton Kosgoda, on the southern coast of Sri Lanka is the sheer amount of lush greenery in and around the property. With a large stretch of a private beach, the hotel, designed in the style of a typical Norman property that can be found in northern France, boasts of several water bodies and swaying palm trees. Another major attraction of the hotel is a seaturtle conservation project located in Kosgoda.

The resort features beautifully designed event spaces and a state-of-the-art fitness centre, along with an expansive swimming pool and uninterrupted beach access.

Rooms: 172
Distance from airport: 120 km
MICE facilities with pax: 200

Taj Bentota Resort & Spa

Taj Bentota Resort & Spa is located along one of the finest beaches on the South West coast. The hotel, which has everything, in terms of service and quality, that a customer can expect from a Taj property, has recently undergone a comprehensive renovation, touching every part of the expansive property, overlooking an equally vast beach. One can marvel at the high wood ceiling in the lobby of this chic hotel, while also enjoying the views of an azure blue Indian Ocean. The hotel is also very well equipped for MICE events of up to 350 people, with two spacious banquet halls and open air venues.

Rooms: 160
Distance from airport: 110 km
MICE facilities with pax: 200

Double Tree by Hilton

Set on the banks of the immense Weerawila Lake, Double Tree by Hilton has several other unique features as it is almost sandwiched between three animal reserves, the Weerawila Tissa Sanctuary, the Bundala National Park and the renowned Yala National Park, one of the best wildlife spots in Sri Lanka. Tranquility can be found in abundance here as guests can enjoy stunning views of green forests and the expansive lake, which has no other sign of human inhabitation. With 78 rooms that come with all amenities that a guest can expect from a high-end property, Double Tree by Hilton also offers good venues for MICE events for up to 400 persons.

Rooms: 78
Distance from airport: 280 km
MICE facilities with pax: 400

Heritance Negombo

Situated barely 20 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport and 40 minutes from Colombo city, the Heritance Negombo is one of the finest beach-front properties in Sri Lanka, making it an ideal place not just for family or leisure travellers, but also for a MICE group.

Few experiences can be as soothing or pleasant as relishing a wholesome breakfast, while the eyes feast on an amazing beach overlooking a vast expanse of the Indian Ocean and the ears are treated to a musical melange of chirping of myriad birds and the gentle waves hitting the beach, barely a few metres from you.

The hotel is equipped to accommodate a variety of functions from formal to interactive conferences. One can reserve the banquet garden with an ocean view for a private function or the state-ofthe-art ballroom for a gala dinner and break-out meeting rooms with natural light for a conference.

The 138 rooms in this property come with all the contemporary comforts such as plush furnishings and modern amenities bring to life the ultimate experience of luxury.

Rooms: 138
Distance from airport: 13 km
MICE facilities with pax: 300

The Fortress Resort & Spa

The approach is majestic, with a rampart running along the road quite a distance before one reaches the massive gates, resembling those of a fortress or a palace. To complete the touch, ‘The Fortress’ is inscribed above the gates, which open to reveal a rectangular, low-rise colonial mansion, with tiled roof. The 53-room property, inspired from the nearby 17th century Galle Fort, comes with majestic views of the Indian Ocean and a long, palm-tree lined beach. The Fortress Residence Suites come with a dedicated butler service.

The Fortress Koggala combines colonial charm and modern elegance to create a one of a kind getaway amongst luxury boutique hotels in the country. It is also ideal for everything from intimate meetings to corporatere treats.

Rooms: 53
Distance from airport: 170 km

Waters Edge

Waters Edge, set amidst waterways and lush green pastoral lawns offering picturesque tranquility in the outskirts of Colombo, is yet another venue with large open spaces and lovely backdrops for MICE events and destination weddings. The hotel is surrounded by massive green spaces and waterbodies. One of the newest properties in the area it is especially popular for its opens air spaces.

Distance from airport: 80 km
MICE facilities with pax: 600

BMICH : Iconic Conference Centre

Those looking to host a very large conference can head to the oldest and the first purpose built conference centre in Asia, BMICH in Colombo. Inaugurated in 1973, BMICH has the dimensions and facilities to offer any kind of event space for any requirement, from very large gatherings of even 1600 persons down to a romantic dinner for two.

BMICH has been extensively renovated recently with addition of novel features and updated technology to cater to the requirements of today’s corporates or event managers, looking to host splendid events.

One of the latest enhancements is the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition Centre, offering 3300 sqm as an additional venue for events with sufficient exhibiting facilities. It also has been fitted with a cinema hall and an eco-auditorium with lush greenery catering to an eco-based ambience. BMICH offers more than 20 different venues in the same location, gives guests the flexibility to choose venues to suit their requirements.

The prime attraction of BMICH is its Main Conference & Concert Hall that consists of key features, making it one of the most preferred venues in the country.

Features

➢ 20 different venues with seating capacity ranging from 30 to 1600

➢ Suitable for Conferences, Conventions, Convocations, Award Ceremonies, Drama, Ballet, Concerts & many more

➢Simultaneous interpretation in seven languages

➢ Public broadcasting facilities