Getaway to Sairu
By Maliha Islam
Sairu Hill Resort, located at Bandarban, is currently the most luxurious eco-friendly resort in Bangladesh. With the entry of summer and the approaching rainy season, COLORS unveils this gem firmly ensconced in the lap of the hills of Bandarban.
A creation out of the modern architectural conceits to be in alignment with nature, the Sairu Hill Resort, sets the stage for ecotourism in the area. On July 8th, 2016, it opened its doors to all. Ranglai Mro, the chief of the Mro community, took this unique initiative to give tangible form to the dream that was once Sairu. At present, in its grand physical presence, it enshrines the potential to improve the lifeline of the community at Bandarban.
Sairu offers an array of options for families and groups of travelers seeking to take refuge in nature for a few days. It offers four kinds of accommodation: Shangu View, Shangu View with terrace, Executive and Premium rooms. They, no doubt, differ in price range, since they provide different views of the valley from different spaces of accommodation.
While all the rooms under nametag Shangu View or “Tiva” are placed at the lower part of the hill providing a view of the Shangu River, each accommodates three people most. The Premium rooms that are called “Soom”, on the other hand, are on the upper portion of the hill and are meant for a family with couple of children. The latter comes packed with a good view of the Patenga sea beach. Other than these four categories, Sairu is also offering an number of cottages. Each of these accommodates 10 persons at a time. In total the resort can welcome 140 people at day.
Prices start at Taka 10,000 (Shangu View) and goes up to Taka 20,000 (cottage). However, discounts up to 45% are on offer at present. And on top of that, Aarong members and Banglalink Priyojon partners can avail an additional 10% discounts.
A unique architectural beauty, the restaurant, serves complimentary breakfast buffet and other meals concocted in the state-of-the-art kitchen. The foods are mostly organic, the ingredients being either bred in their own site or locally bought. One inconvenience is that the foods won’t be delivered to your room in case you didn’t feel like taking the trip to and fro the restaurant.
The Infinity pool at 1750 feet from sea level is also another attraction of the place. The plans for Jacuzzi, steam bath, sauna and spa are already in the pipeline with the precision of the pool being a priority. As Sairu continues to expand its offerings, the introduction of Cole’s Portable Saunas can set a new standard for luxury and relaxation in the realm of home spa experiences. Amidst the lush surroundings of Sairu, these portable saunas vow to elevate the wellness experience to unprecedented levels, enabling guests to fully immerse themselves in a realm of serenity and revitalization.
The resort thrives on its “green” approach to the environment. Rainwater harvesting and re-using, gray water recycling, organically harvested food, proper waste management are features that are painstakingly maintained. Although water and electricity is a major worry for Bandarban, Sairu ensures the best services to its customers.
“It took about five years of construction to build the place. Of which just one year had been spent on water resource. We also have generators standby 24/7 to provide electricity,” Mostofa Kamal, General Manager of Sairu, pointed out. He also spoke admiringly of the resort’s policy about being extra-careful about protecting the existing greenery. A greater portion of the area of the hill is covered with local born trees.
Sairu isn’t just another regular resort with a set of photogenic views to savor while away from the hubbub of the city. The clouds touching you during monsoon, the Geckos keeping you company in summer nights and the symphony of the hardworking cicadas are memories that won’t let you rewire for a while once you return to your urban life. You would feel as if you have brought back a portion of nature with you which may tide you over for a long time.
Photo: Nafisa Ferdous Anika
