Guests at the historic Mount Lavinia Hotel were able to enjoy a sumptuous High Tea Buffet and also watch the grand celebrations of the coronation of Britain’s King Charles lll on live screen at the elegant colonial restaurant,”The Terrace”,which was beautifully adorned with Union Jack flags on the 6th of May 2023.
Speaking to the media, the PR Manager Ms. Dilshi Fernando, explained that Mount Lavinia Hotel and Britain shared a history dating back to over 200 years since it was primarily built to serve as the residence of former British Ceylon’s 2nd Governor, Sir Thomas Maitland, from 1806 to 1811 , and thereafter became the official residence of three more British governors that succeeded him. Of course, the legend surrounding Sir Thomas Maitland and the local dancer, Lovina, adds that element of intrigue and romance to the history of the hotel.
Ms Dilshi went on to state that special celebrations such as the British Coronation is of great significance to the hotel because of the centuries old links and they felt that the romance and old world charm associated with Mount Lavinia Hotel would offer the perfect backdrop for the live screening of the Coronation along with an English style High Tea Buffet.
Guests from Sri Lanka, India, Europe and England, thoroughly enjoyed the vibrance and charming atmosphere at The Terrace, besides the special High Tea Buffet which offered a variety of delectable savoury and sweet items that were made according to popular British recipes and decked with the Union Jack. Guests also had a wide choice of beverages apart from tea and coffee, as even fresh juices and iced coffee, were offered – everyone was well catered to !
The live screening of the Coronation of King Charles III at the Mount Lavinia Hotel will be remembered by the guests who stayed at the hotel for a long time. This is partly due to the beautiful old world charm of the historic building and the exotic ambience that the hotel exudes, and also because of the dedication and warm hospitality of the staff who made the High tea buffet a highly enjoyable one !
Article by Nelum Buddhadasa
