Valentine’s Day in Sri Lanka
Valentine’s Day in Sri Lanka
My experience of Valentine’s Day in the UK was very different to that in Sri Lanka. Memories of a cold mid winter and under pressure to book a table at a suitable restaurant is not one that I think back fondly on. Valentine’s Day in Sri Lanka couldn’t be more different.
Going out on a chilly night, and getting a cab. Buying an over expensive meal in a place thronging with people. This I can do without.!
I really didn’t want to follow the crowd and pay a surcharge for something that we probably would not enjoy.
My wife is a great cook and our flat was the place our friends wanted to come for dinner.
We had so many great diner parties full of laughter and in a comfortable place. That is something that I think back on to our time in the UK with a smile on my face. I also loved the short distance from the dining table to the bedroom at the end of the night when our friends had left for home.
I can do better!
Most Valentine’s Day meals most disappointing for me for lots of reasons.
After making a great effort to find a good restaurant, paying a substantial bill at the end of the meal I would ask how the night was? The normal response was mediocre at least as my wife knew she could do better for most of the meals we had.
Of course, when we eat in a Michelin Star Restaurant (on a deal) she was happier!
I used to get frustrated because of the effort and money spent for that kind of reaction.
An inspiration
My wife and I always talked about going to Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons by Raymond Blanc. However never quite made it there.
The experience of going to a luxurious property in Oxfordshire, eating a delicious Michelin Star meal and retiring to bed in one of their rooms was a dream for me. Also knowing that you had a wonderful breakfast to look forward to would be the icing on the cake!
There are many other places in the UK that do a similar offering however Le Manoir was the place we would have liked to go. My wife also really liked Ramond Blanc as a chef which added to the desire to go there.
We did sample some delicious food at Brasserie Blanc in the City of London one lunchtime and it was superb both in terms of the food and the service.
The idea of eating a delicious meal and retiring to bed. My idea of a perfect Valentine’s Day in Sri Lanka
Over the years I have been to many family and colleagues weddings. I have always tried to book a room in the hotel where the wedding reception took place. It did cost a bit extra. However, not having to travel to a B & B at the end of the night and wait for a cab was certainly worth it. We have all had experiences of waiting for a taxi and the firm saying it is around the corner!
A comfortable bedroom
Valentine’s Day in Sri Lanka at GlenMyu Estate Hotel?
When we built GlenMyu Estate I wanted to ensure that the accommodation for guests was of good quality and a place that they would be comfortable.
One little item was to have two comfortable seats or chairs in each room. The amount of hotels I have been in where there is only one chair in the room and I was normally relegated to the bed!
I knew that we could provide good meals that our guests would enjoy. My wife tends to ask what kind of meal the guest would like and creates something around the menu so that it is bespoke to each guest.
We have great reviews on the meals that we have provided at GlenMyu Estate. Our reviews can be found on Google, TripAdvisor, booking.com and AirBnb.
Relax in the Bath and Watch the Stars
Our Mahogany Bedroom and Mango Bedroom both have concrete baths for two in their bathrooms.
We provide candles to create a special atmosphere for you.
The windows in the bathrooms have mirror stickers in the outside which provide you with privacy and comfort.
Relax in the Bath
Valentine's Day in Sri Lanka
We had two honeymoon couples stay with us during December 2022. The room was decorated to reflect this romantic occasion.
Our guests were delighted with the meals that we provided. My wife did a few extra special dishes for them to make it a place to remember.
At GlenMyu Estate as the night falls we light some candles in our dining room which makes a romantic atmosphere. We have three sets of tables so Valentines Couples can enjoy their special evening together.
Valentine’s Day - what’s is all about?
Valentine’s Day is a holiday in February where lovers express their feelings and affection for each other with greetings and gifts.
Due to their similarities, it is suggested that the holiday has its’ origins in the Roman Festival of Lupercalia. This is also held in Mid February.
The festival celebrated the coming of spring and included fertility rites and the pairing off of women and men by a lottery!
It was banned at the end of the 5th Century by Pope Gelasius I who forbid the celebration. He is sometimes attributed as replacing the festival with Valentine’s Day however the origins are vague and not certain
The name may have been taken from a priest who was martyred around 270 AD by emperor Claudius II Gothicus. According to folklore the priest signed a letter “from your Valentine” to his jailer’s daughter whom he had befriended.
It also could be named after St Valentine of Terni, or a bishop for whom the holiday was named. One other legend is that St Valentine secretly married couples to spare their husbands from war, defying the emperors orders.
There were formal messages (or Valentines) sent in the 1,500’s. By the late 1,700’s commercial cards were printed.
In the US the first commercial cards were printed in the mid-1,800’s. They commonly depicted Cupid (the Roman God of Love) and hearts. Birds were also depicted because it was typically the start of their mating season in mid February.
Traditional gifts for Valentine’s day include sweets/chocolate and flowers. Red Roses are most well known as the ocular red is associated with beauty and love.
Only 3 bedrooms
As we only have three bedrooms at GlenMyu Estate your Valentine’s Day can be an intimate experience for your and your partner.
Please visit our website for more details about a stay in the Sri Lankan Hill Country.
We have also a Blog Post about our first honeymoon and you can see how we decorated the rooms for our newly married couples.
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