By Radhika Wijesekera –
Colombo, SRI LANKA (February 02, 2024) – The much-anticipated ITC Ratnadipa is set to open its doors in the 2nd quarter of 2024, after successfully overcoming many delays and hurdles.
This is the first ITC hotel outside of India. ITC Hotels was first launched in 1975, and has since grown to become one of India’s premier luxury hospitality chains with more than 115 properties in over 80 locations across the country. The company is also championing the cause of sustainable luxury in the industry, and according to ITC Ratnadipa general manager Sujeet Kumar, this makes ITC the greenest and largest luxury hospitality chain in the world.
ITC Ratnadipa is the first ITC hotel to be established outside of India. Located in the heart of the business district of Colombo, Sri Lanka, with an unobstructed view of the Indian Ocean beyond the Galle Face Green promenade, Ratnadipa dominates the city’s skyline. Kumar explained that this property will bring about transformational change and a more sustainable future for hospitality. In addition to creating many job opportunities in the country, the establishment of ITC Ratnadipa is envisioned to strengthen the positive ties between the two countries as well. The property will be under the Marriott Luxury Collection portfolio.
The hotel comprises 352 rooms with large private balconies in all of them. According to Kumar, this property will have the largest room size amongst Colombo’s city hotels. Ahasa – Ratnadipa’s key architecture differentiator, is the bridge suspended between Sapphire Residences and the hotel tower, 100 meters (330 ft) above the ground and 15 meters (50 ft) in length, with two sky pools above, and the bar below. This will be a novelty in Colombo. The banqueting venue – Sangam, is a 15,000 sq.ft. pillarless ballroom with floor to ceiling windows, allowing in loads of natural light and spectacular views of the surroundings.
Ratnadipa’s F&B and the culinary journey that they will be embarking on will include a wide array of cuisines. ‘Avartana’ is amongst Asia’s top 30 culinary brands, while ‘Peshawri’ is another award-winning restaurant featuring cuisine from the North-West frontier, ‘Yi Jing’ showcases some amazing Pan Asian cuisine, ‘Islander’ – offers fresh seafood and is located at the top of the building. Collectively, the hotel has over 10 F&B outlets & bars.
ITC Hotels is one of the most popular brands in India. Given that India is one of the leading source markets for Sri Lanka, the management is confident of hosting destination weddings and several MICE conventions, through which ITC Ratnadipa can be established as the leading hotel for both MICE and exclusive weddings in addition to serving high-end luxury business travelers.
Colombo is already home to some of the finest hotels, both international and local brands, each carrying its own distinctive USP and target clientele. With the strength of the brand, the ITC distribution system, marketing efforts, loyalty programmes and tie-ups with Marriott for the Luxury Collection portfolio, Ratnadipa offers a great product with multiple F&B options and intuitive service. “We are confident to be the preferred choice of travelers – domestic and international,” said Kumar.
Speaking to AsiaBizToday on the chain’s future expansion plans in Sri Lanka, Kumar said: “We were already looking at Sri Lanka as an important destination and thus with this visionary outlook, we have ventured into this mega project and stuck around despite the varying challenges that were thrown at us. Our commitment is unwavering, and we are on the lookout for suitable opportunities to manage select boutique properties and resorts across this wonderful country I now call home—Sri Lanka.”