Colombo, Sri Lanka -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/13/2011 -- The myriad colours that adorn the roads down south, symptomatic of the eclectic and energetic vibrancy that form an inherent facet of the sights and sounds of the beach destination of Hikkaduwa; the esoteric lifestyles that fuse age old cultural beliefs with contemporary phenomenons; and into this, blend life on the beach - edgy, exciting and maybe a little wild aka the 'Hikka' feel and you've got Chaaya Tranz – sitting as it does on the beach in Hikkaduwa with a touch of the old (for reminiscing only) and an abundance of the new.

Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa a transcending among Hikkaduwa hotels, is a celebration of the Avant Garde and liberal lifestyle of Hikkaduwa with vibrant interiors and luxurious spaces which both draw inspiration from and showcase the local flavours of Hikkaduwa. A total investment Rs. 1.2 Billion has been utilised for the transformation of Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa.

The 150 room resort will house superior and deluxe rooms and suites; all with direct sea views. The facilities of the resort will ensure a fully refurbished main restaurant, speciality crab restaurant, bars and lounges as well as a roof top spa. Moreover the Group will make Chaaya Tranz its base for Whale Watching in Mirissa. The group is pleased to launch this property on World tourism Day. The Chaaya properties, which come under the umbrella of John Keells Hotels Group have become iconic cornerstones to the diverse locations they are based in.

Chaaya Village for instance embraces the eco-conservationism that's resplendently spread out over 27 acres in Habarana; Chaaya Blu swathes itself in the aquamarine east coast ocean, where sun, sand and sea paint a panorama of sheer bliss; Chaaya Citadel exudes the deep seated history and culture of the last kingdom of Sri Lanka and Chaaya Lagoon Hakura Huraa, Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo and Chaaya Island Dhonveli absorb the spirit of the Maldives in its truest sense. And hence it is no exception that the sights, sounds and spirit of Hikkaduwa is totally imbibed in the newest resort to come under the Chaaya umbrella. “Chaaya Tranz is reflective of our objective of having iconic properties with its own unique style,” explains Sector Head Sri Lankan Resorts of the John Keells Hotels Group Jayantissa Kehelpannala. “Based on our vision of being a trendsetter in the tourism industry, I'm confident that each of our resorts is doing just that, with its own inimitable style and design, coupled with our levels of superior service, which all bring in new dimensions not only to the location that the resorts are situated in, but also sets benchmarks for the industry to emulate.”Commenting on the new property in Hikkaduwa, Ajit Gunewardene, Deputy Chairman, John Keells Holdings PLC said “Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa will add an additional 150 rooms to our portfolio, further establishing John Keells Hotels Group as the largest chain of hotels in Sri Lanka; Through experience we have devised a formula that enables us significant efficiencies in project speeds and costs, which we believe is not easily replicated. This will be a strong advantage for us in maintaining our dominance in the Sri Lankan tourism sector amidst potential international competition.”

Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa envisaged as a location that could be developed to echo the four star tenets of the Chaaya premise went under extensive reconstruction and refurbishment one year ago. Due to open at the end of 2011, Chaaya Tranz has come under the expert eye of master architect Channa Daswatte who says that the makeover constitutes some fundamental changes to the movements pattern and perception of the spaces, making them almost like new buildings. “One of the biggest disadvantages the old hotel had that it never had balconies and in fact, the design of the hotel is meant for an European beach, but to give it an eastern twist, a Kerala style roof was added to its original design. Conceptually, now we have retained the originality of this building on the outside, but there's definitely a revolutionary transformation within.”

As Kehelpannala affirms, “This has always been a family location and we want that element to remain. But at the same time, over the years, Hikka has become the cool happening spot for the young and trendy and we have added that dynamic into our Chaaya Tranz look and feel. The feeling, as Channa mentioned, is edgy and energizes you as you walk into the resort but at the same time, it retains the mode of relaxation and chilling out that is inherent in all our Chaaya properties.”

According to Channa, the internal spaces including the public areas of this Hikkaduwa beach hotel, have been totally rearranged and an addition of a gazebo like balcony that is not directly attached to the room but a little way forward, has transformed these spaces beyond recognition. “The interior decor is inspired by the general arty atmosphere of "Hikka" with its (sometimes) wild night clubs, bright coloured fabrics for sale on the roads and the slightly edgy style of everything.” He also recalls that the name Tranz was conceptualised by one of the younger members of the John Keells team. “We were seeking a name that was new, catchy and also gave that edgy feel we wanted to portray. Tranz has a dual reference to Tranz music and the trances reminiscent of Sri Lankan devil dancing culture, which is very much a folk tradition in this part of the south of Sri Lanka.”

Channa affirms that for those who have visited the hotel previously, driving into Chaaya Tranz will evoke a sense of nostalgia and deja vu, as the forecourt has been left unchanged, even down to the plants and the original look of the building from the outside. “But when you step out at the old porte- cochere, that’s where Chaaya Tranz begins,” he says with a flourish. A low entry area housing the concierge leads into a courtyard reception where upon one wall, Channa has placed an artistic rhap- sody depicting 'Hikka' life. A small tunnel from this courtyard leads into the main space of the property, a dramatic verandah that runs the length of the hotel, overlooking a new free form swimming pool and lush landscape which subsequently takes the eye out to sea. The verandah in parts, becomes the restaurant, lounge bar, coffee shop and The Crab restaurant.

From the reception and these lounges, lifts and spiral staircases lead to the rooms and familiar corridors, but certainly the familiarity yet again, is halted at the entrance door to each of the 150 rooms. “The rooms are completely new and am sure unrecognizable to prior visitors. Recycled wood, polished cement tiled floors and cane furniture are punctuated by chintz fabrics, forming the perfect background to the 12'x6' gazebo styled balcony which add a new perspective of depth to the room and are designed as outdoor living rooms with a day bed, dining table and chairs,” says Channa, who strongly believes that every space in a property must reflect the concept and be conducive to the ultimate message, which for Chaaya Tranz is, “Surprised and Energized!”

Chaaya Tranz adds two bars and three restaurants to its offerings. “The main bar opens onto the garden and beach and is intended to be a happening place with a small air-conditioned area, inter- spersed with a larger open section overlooking the beach,” Channa says of this exciting location, adding that it will be one of the closest bars to the beach in any of the larger more formal hotels on the south- ern coast. Chaaya Tranz has also added a cigar lounge, wine cellar and a tasting room to this Bar, while the new pool bar, is housed in the original pool bar but sports a raised roof and double levels within. One of the most inventive designs within the resort is the main restaurant which blends seamlessly into its surrounds. Channa enthuses that, “The southern corner of the room which is an open verandah overlooks the reef and sea, with the turtles coming to shore adding a spectacular dimension. Special cane and plastic furniture have been designed here and the interiors are based on polished cement tiles and recycled wood, which were a part of the original resort.” The Coffee Shop which is a small intimate affair is built to embrace a Mediterranean atmosphere, overlooking the beach near the bar and he hopes, serving up, “Great hummus, pita bread and delectable salads.” While every beachside resort must have its staple seafood, Chaaya Tranz takes it to another realm with a reprise of its successful crab restaurant. “The Crab retains similar design elements almost as though it is a franchise, but with the necessary variations to make it unique to Tranz; so the white washed look of Chaaya Blu will live on in the crab restaurant here.”

The resort will open its doors on 1st November 2011.

Room Types

2 Family Suites - 2 bedrooms - 900 sq ft

4 Corner Suites - 1 sitting room and 1 bedroom - 595 sq ft

4 Deluxe Rooms - can be interconnected - 340 sq ft

140 Superior Rooms - 305 sq ft

Hotel Facilities and Services

Restaurants
• Main Restaurant • Coffee Shop • Crab Restaurant • Pool Restaurant

Bars
• Lounge Bar • Pool Bar

Lounges
• Reception Lounge • Courtesy Lounge • Main Lounge

Banquet Hall
350 person capacity banquet style, 700 theatre style and 400 classroom style

Conference Hall
80 person capacity theatre style and 50 classroom style

Fresh Water Swimming Pool

Roof Top Spa Facility

PADI Certified Dive Centre

Whale Watching and other excursions