A budget hotel by Jetwing now gives you all the comfort and safety with no frills. Hotel J is on the beach and minutes from the airport.
Words Mamduh Waheed Photographs Indika De Silva
A pioneer in the tourism industry of Sri Lanka, Jetwing Hotels has opened the first of their select service accommodation range of hotels in Negombo. Built in an area of 53 perches and on four levels, Hotel J is intimate, cozy and easy on your pocket. While all rooms are fitted with comfortable beds you would find even in the Jetwing star properties, the bathrooms are equipped with strong and versatile showers, hot and cold water with modern fittings. But with the exception of soap and towels, they are devoid of other paraphernalia you find in higher end hotels. And if you desire additional items, you may purchase them from the hotel.
“The idea was to offer a no-frills hotel, but one that was safe and would give you a comfortable night’s sleep,” explained Jerome Auvity, Director Operations Negombo, Jetwing Hotels, commenting on the decision of the company to venture into this segment of the market. “You already find this type of hotel in Europe and East Asia and as a group Jetwing saw an opportunity to enter the market. As has been in the past, once again we have been the pioneers in opening such a hotel in Sri Lanka.”
Designed by award winning architect Vinod Jayasinghe who started his career working under the guidance of Geoffrey Bawa and who also designed Jetwing Blue, Jetwing Lagoon and oversaw the refurbishment of the originally Bawa designed Jetwing Beach – Hotel J is playful to the eye. Using the four colours of yellow, orange, green and turquoise throughout the hotel, the furniture including the sun beds and rooms are a combination of these colours.
TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF GUESTS, TWELVE SECURITY CAMERAS ARE INSTALLED AT THE HOTEL AND COMPOUND
Planned to mostly market through online booking engines, all areas of Hotel J has free Wi-Fi access and all 35 rooms (inclusive of one suite) come with air conditioning, a flat screen TV and a balcony.
“We also emphasise the location and safety of our guests. While you do get many hotels and guest houses in this range, both in Negombo and elsewhere, very rarely will you find a hotel for this price right on the beach which is where Hotel J is.
And although there are many guest houses, which are even cheaper, security remains a big question for many and so does comfort. That is why we have installed a safe in every room and twelve security cameras throughout the hotel and compound,” elaborated Auvity.
The ground level of Hotel J has a restaurant and bar, a sizeable pool, with a carpeted lawn sprawling out to the beach lined with sun beds of orange, green, yellow and turquoise. There is no room service, but a set menu is in place with four different choices for mains, and they change every day. À la carte is available in the afternoon with a menu of burgers, sandwiches and pizza.
If you are active and would like to do more than use the beach or the pool, the hotel organises tours and various other activities including water skiing, bird watching, canoeing, wind surfing or diving. You will be assisted in getting in touch with one of these activity centres in the area. And if you prefer a tour outstation, this can also
be arranged.
Hotel J can be booked through popular online booking engines, travel agencies or by directly calling the hotel or the Jetwing Travel service.
331/1, Lewis Place, Negombo
Tel: (+94 31) 223 2999
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