Tl;dr – Marriott inked a seven-property deal with Ventive Hospitality, which will include a new Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Sri Lanka.
Some interesting news today. Marriott recently announced that its next Ritz-Carlton Reserve will be located off the beaten path in eastern Sri Lanka. The project is part of a larger seven-property deal with hotel conglomerate Ventive Hospitality. Currently, there are eight Ritz-Carlton Reserves available for check-in, with four additional properties announced/under development. This isn’t the first attempt at bringing in a Ritz-Carlton to Sri Lanka – a scandal-ridden project. The Ritz-Carlton Colombo recently went down in flames (literally), and I highly doubt that it’ll ever come to market. That said, there are several reasons for optimism – Ventive Hospitality has a solid track record and reputation. There aren’t too many details at this point, but I want to share all that we know so far. Let’s dive in!
Pottuvil, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Pottuvil, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will be located on the east side of the island nation, ‘tucked between the Indian Ocean and a vibrant lagoon.’ Though the hotel’s exact location has not been revealed, given that the hotel will be ‘a six-hour scenic drive from Colombo or by seaplane or chartered flight’, I got curious and did some digging. I’m not much of a gambler, but I’d wager that the hotel will be located near the Kokkilai Lagoon.
With this relative seclusion, Pottuvil promises to be ‘more than a destination—it is a place set apart, where nature is honored, and every moment feels deeply personal.’
The plans call for 73 expansive villas, each offering a separate living area, private sun deck, and infinity plunge pool. For dining, there will be two specialty restaurants.
In addition to refined relaxation, guests who enjoy hitting the waves will find some of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated surf nearby. As it is a Ritz-Carlton, there will be the signature Ritz-Carlton Spa, a fitness center, as well as a Ritz Kids Recreation Center for youngsters.
Perhaps most notable are a few mentions of wildlife. Located in a ‘secluded sanctuary surrounded by mangroves and wildlife,’ the property will have access to a Marine and Wildlife Center. Additionally, there will be curated game drives that I imagine will allow guests to see some of Sri Lanka’s ‘Big Five’ – the Wild Water Buffalo, Crocodile, Asian Elephant, Leopard, and Sri Lankan Sloth Bear. Honorable mention to Sperm and Blue Whales for any divers out there.
Photo by Saravana Sathish Settu on Unsplash
Wildlife immersion has been a big theme with Marriott as of late. The chain is deep into the African safari game, and Marriott recently opened its first Asian-safari ready property in Uttarakhand, India at Jim Corbett National Park.
Other Notable Openings as Part of the 7-Property Deal
Marriott will also open two other marquee properties as part of the Ventive deal – a JW Marriott in Mumbai and a flagship Marriott hotel in Varanasi. The JW Marriott will be well-located, only 10KM from D.B. Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport, and the current plan is 450 rooms. The Varanasi Marriott, located in what’s considered the spiritual capital of India, will feature 161 spacious and sophisticated guestrooms and an inspiring mix of three dining options, as well as an M Club Lounge. The Marriott, too, will be just a short drive away from the nearest airport, Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.
Of the four in-flight Ritz-Carlton Reserves elsewhere, Siari, a Nayarit-Mexico project that includes both residences and a hotel, is closest to debuting. Though a formal date is still TBD, I could see the property coming to market in late 2025 or early 2026. I’d likely pencil in the debut of Pottuvil, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Sri Lanka, sometime in (or after) 2029, making it contemporaneous (or just after) the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Ramhan Island Abu Dhabi.
