Designed by the Singapore-based architects Chiu Man Wong and Maria Warner Wong from Warner Wong design group supported by Tommy Wijesekera from Acop Sri Lanka, the rooms are stylishly sleek. The theme of the new block, consisting of 98 Executive Rooms and 2 Gateway Suites, has been conceptualised to include a modern flavour of Sri Lanka and caters to all segments of leisure, corporate and transit travellers.

Commenting on the expansion, Rohit Khosla, Area Director, Sri Lanka, The Taj Group of Hotels said, “Given the hotel’s proximity to the airport and the steady growth of Sri Lankan tourism, we feel it is an opportune time to expand our inventory.”

“Refurbished at a cost of $10 million (around ₹61 crore), the hotel is designed to reflect international standards with a brand new contemporary design,'' he added.

Operational for the past three decades, The Gateway Hotel Airport Garden Colombo is jointly owned by Mukesh Advani and Prakash Advani and Hirdaramani family, with 50 per cent stake each.

Since inception, the hotel is managed and operated by The Taj Group of Hotels that also operates two other properties in Sri Lanka - Colombo and Bentota under the Taj and Vivanta brands respectively, Hindu Business Line reported.