Green resort to relax

Bhubaneswar, July 26: Tourists to Chilika lake now have another destination to unwind.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated the Swosti Chilika Resort, which aims to provide tourists with an opportunity to soak in the spirit of the destination and its adjoining locations.

Owned by the Swosti Group, which has several other properties across the state, the resort has landscaped gardens surrounding 78 cottages.

These include 36 luxury villas, 36 state-of-the-art ultra modern luxury suites, five poolside villas and a presidential suite.

Naveen, while inaugurating the resort, said: "I hope the set-up will attract more tourists to Chilika. We are working on a number of projects to promote Chilika as an international tourist destination."

The tariff of the rooms range from Rs 6,000 to Rs 65,000. One of the highlights of the resort is Ekayaa, a spa equipped with single and double treatment rooms for men and women, beauty treatment rooms, meditation and relaxation halls.

"The experience can rejuvenate and energise the mind, body and spirit in equal measure. We will also provide yoga and gym facilities to our guests," said J.K. Mohanty, managing director of the resort.

An open-air amphitheatre, Ektara, for cultural evenings, and a lawn, Shehnai, for wedding parties and special outdoor activities have also been set up.

"Keeping in mind employment for local residents and taking all environment-friendly precautions, including solar lighting in the project, we have promoted this resort through digital media to attract high-end international and domestic tourists," he said.

The resort will shortly provide water sports, boating around different islands, and bicycle tours for foreign tourists.

The resort is the state's first to get a Green Building Certified Resort from the Indian Green Building Council and ensures the least impact on the pristine environment of the Chilika.