Browns Hotels & Resorts, in collaboration with Periceyl, turned up the energy and artistry with the successful conclusion of Quintessential Bartender 2026 — an inter-hotel bartending competition created to spotlight, sharpen, and celebrate the group’s finest talent.

Bringing together bartenders from 16 Browns Hotels & Resorts properties across 10 iconic destinations, the competition offered a stage for personality, precision, storytelling, and skill, where the best bartenders from each resort went head-to-head in pursuit of the ultimate title.

In the mist-veiled heart of Sri Lanka’s hill country, where Ella has earned global recognition as one of the island’s most photographed destinations, Browns Hotels & Resorts introduces a new chapter in experiential hospitality with Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort. Once a working tea factory, the century-old estate, originally established in 1903 by the legendary Scottish tea planter George Thomson, has been carefully transformed into a luxury resort, preserving its industrial character and historical soul while elevating it into an immersive experience. Set against dramatic mountain backdrops and defined by its iconic orange chimney, the resort commands world-famous views of the Ella Gap, framed by Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak — where landscape, legacy, and luxury converge.

Browns Hotels & Resorts officially unwrapped the festive story for 2025 with grand cake mixing ceremonies held at its flagship coastal retreats — Thaala Bentota and Club Hotel Dolphin, Waikkal. This cherished tradition marked the spirited start of the season, as guests and teams came together to celebrate the magic ahead.

At Thaala Bentota, the evening began with a sense of wonder as the entire cake mixing table was dramatically revealed from within a giant gift box, symbolising the excitement of the festive season waiting to be unwrapped. General Manager Rohan Gamage welcomed guests from across the globe, who joined the celebration alongside the resort’s dedicated team — all setting the tone for a December filled with joy, music, and connection.

Port City Colombo celebrated the groundbreaking of the Marina Development at Port City Colombo with a special ceremony held on 10th January 2025. The occasion was graced by Chief Guest, Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism. Also present at the event were H.E. Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; Mr. Harsha Amarasekera, Chairman, the Colombo Port City Economic Commission; Mr. Ishara Nanayakkara; Chairman, Brown and Company PLC and Deputy Chairman, LOLC Holdings PLC; Mr. Kapila Jayawardena – Group Managing Director/CEO, LOLC Holdings PLC; Mr. Kamantha Amarasekera – Director, Browns Investments PLC; Mr. Wang Gang, Managing Director, China Harbour Engineering Company, and Mr. Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director, CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd.

In a major milestone for the capital’s hospitality scene, Barceló Nasandhura Malé has officially opened its doors, becoming the first five-star hotel in the city. With a prime seafront location offering uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean, the property promises to redefine luxury urban stays in the Maldives.

Developed by Browns Investments PLC in collaboration with Spain’s Barceló Hotel Group, the hotel stands proudly on the historic site of the former Nasandhura Palace Hotel. The new property features 136 elegantly appointed rooms, many boasting spectacular ocean views, along with 116 stylish serviced apartments, creating a perfect blend of comfort, sophistication, and functionality for extended stays.