With a focus on sustainability and luxury, Cinnamon Life will be a game changer in luxe hospitality and make a lasting impact on the city, he says.
In an exclusive conversation with Deccan Chronicle, Declan Hurley – Director Commercial, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, shares his vision for transforming Colombo into a premier destination. With a focus on sustainability and luxury, Cinnamon Life will be a game changer in luxe hospitality and make a lasting impact on the city, he says.
What drew you to Sri Lanka to lead the launch of Cinnamon Life?
I was drawn to Sri Lanka by the adventure of opening an 800-bedroom hotel, a unique project that’s the largest private investment in a hotel in Sri Lanka. To open something this size and to have the vision of believing that you can grow the market and really build something that’s going to be a game changer for the city is an amazing opportunity.
We are so different from the entire competition. We are so much more than just a hotel. Unlike other hotels, Cinnamon Life stands out for its incredible art collection, curated with 19 local artists, and its unique spaces, including restaurants with distinct designs and cuisine. We have three pool decks, all of them very different, all of them with a very unique style. We have so many different venues to go to, and all of them are spectacular in their own right.
The building itself, designed by Cecil Balmond, is inspired by the moonstone, making it very Sri Lankan. You don’t see many hotels like this. It was like, “Yes, absolutely! I couldn’t say no when I was offered the opportunity to join the team here.”
What has been the most surprising reaction from guests since Cinnamon Life’s opening?
We have been open for four and a half months now, and it’s been great to see the reaction of clients. Many people were surprised, not knowing what to expect in a building this size. They were absolutely delighted by the arts, restaurants, and our team members. I have seen people discovering and looking around, and their reactions are priceless.
I recall this lady who came out of the elevator, and her mouth was open in awe. She was looking around, taking in the views, the light, the art, and the setting. It’s great to see those reactions, and as someone who operates a hotel, it’s really what you want to see.
Once we have the casino and shopping mall on board, the entire complex of City of Dreams will be complete, and we will have a huge impact on the city of Colombo. We want to change the perception of Colombo, making it a destination in itself, rather than just a stopover.
Colombo is an undiscovered gem, with many hidden parts waiting to be explored. Pettah, the original part of Colombo, is fascinating, with its unique neighborhoods and characters. We want to bring about a change that showcases the city’s true potential.
How do you envision Cinnamon Life contributing to the growth and development of Colombo?
We have created a huge amount of jobs in Colombo, focusing on bringing a young team and providing them with the tools to improve their skills. We have invested thousands of hours of training, bringing in trainers from around the world to ensure our team receives the best training.
We have also curated a unique art collection, showcasing contemporary Sri Lankan artists. Nobody has done this before, and we are privileged to have these artists produce unique work for us. We display their work on different floors, and every three months, we spotlight one artist on our 23rd floor.
We bring entertainment, culture, and the possibility for people to discover and learn new things. Our food offerings are also unique, with chefs from around the world bringing different styles to our restaurants. We have opened the first wine bar in Colombo, with over 400 labels on the menu.
These are just a few examples of how we are bringing a change and difference to Colombo. We are excited to see the reaction of people and to be a part of the city’s growth.
What sustainability measures has Cinnamon Life implemented to minimize its environmental footprint?
We have taken several measures to ensure sustainability and environmental protection at Cinnamon Life. We try to collect rainwater, which is very important, and we have set up an efficient air conditioning system that uses minimal power and energy.
Throughout the hotel, we maintain a temperature of 23-24 degrees, using less energy while remaining comfortable. We also recycle as much water as possible and have eliminated plastic, replacing it with glass, including our water bottles.
We have partnered with NORDAQ, a Scandinavian company, to set up our own water plant, bottling and distributing water in-house. We try to keep the waste to an absolute bare minimum, which is crucial. Our system also automatically turns off lights in rooms when guests forget, and our elevators go to ‘sleep’ when not in use, waking up when needed. We are taking numerous steps to be energy-efficient, and we have more initiatives in the pipeline.
