As we reach the end of a spectacular year filled with unique and wonderful events, the Hilton Colombo today announced their biggest, most anticipated celebration yet – their 21st Birthday bash. This extravaganza, to be held on Sunday the 21st of September, from 6 p.m. onwards, will undoubtedly be the biggest event of the year.

Gigi De Silva, Marketing Communications Manager of the hotel, revealed that in the lead up to this massive celebration, the hotel will go to great lengths to transform their sports centre complex into a spectacular setting where guests can indulge in an evening of food, entertainment and enjoy a carnival atmosphere. She added, "There has never been a party like this in the country before."

At the spectacular celebrations, guests will be able to feast on a mind boggling 21 varieties of cuisines from across the world. The multi award winning chefs from the Hilton Colombo will put together this scrumptious selection of authentic dishes from countries including Japan , China , Germany , France , America and Italy , amongst others.

Guests attending the ‘Big 21’ will also be treated to the very best entertainment acts in Sri Lanka, with favourites Marians, Iraj, Centigradz, Chinthy, Ashanti, Natasha, Phase 3, dancing stars Dushyanth Weeraman & Hashini, and the World Choir Champions Revelations signing up for the event. While crowds will also be treated to a spectacular display of coordination as the award winning Hilton bartenders display their flaring skills on the country’s longest bar.

William Costley, General Manager of the Hilton Colombo enthused, "We’ve had a great 21 years here in Colombo and we have always wanted to provide our guests with the very best in hospitality. As such we intend to make the Big 21 a truly spectacular and memorable event; the biggest of the year.

"I must thank the entire team for their tremendous dedication and commitment throughout the year. They have done an amazing job of coordinating a celebration of this magnitude. It has taken 6 months of planning to create the 6 hours of fabulous entertainment for our 21st anniversary in Sri Lanka and we want everyone to remember it!"

He added, "It is the sheer professionalism of the team that has also made this an unbelievable year as we were very honoured to have won so many awards. The most significant part of these awards is that they are given without any input or influencing from third parties as they are independently given based on merit and direct customer feedback on our service delivery. No panel of judges or local bodies decided our destiny, it was the thousands of International Business and Leisure travellers voting independently based on the levels of customer service we provided them. In fact it’s the most awards the hotel has ever won!"

"We were voted the Best Hotel in Sri Lanka 2007 at the "Oscars" of the Travel and Tourism Industry, the World Travel Awards in Bangalore in December as well as the best Hilton International Brand Service Worldwide Hotel of the Year 2007, Asia Pacific Brand Award Winners, Asia Balanced Scorecard Winners, Asia and Asia Pacific Hilton Honors best improved hotel 2007 as well as the coveted Meat and Livestock MLA World Bronze medallists culinary team for 2008. A fantastic year for all of us and it is down to all the team at the hotel. They are a credit to themselves, the Hilton family and wonderful Ambassadors for Sri Lanka ."

The management of the hotel also revealed plans to create the longest sandwich, flaring bar and ice-sculpture birthday candles that the country has ever seen.

The Big 21 is the final bash in a year filled with activities that have occurred monthly since September 2007. The recurrence of the number 21 in all Hilton Colombo celebrations signifies the hotel’s 21st year in Sri Lanka . In honour of this milestone, the Hilton Colombo organized a number of unique and innovative promotions and events, including the sizzling "21 hour Latino Carnival", the "2100 Kg Kottu Party" the "Carols for Charity" concert, first 21 babies born in 2008 at the Castle Street Maternity Home, 21 Valentine Couples, the ongoing 1987 prices at the Echelon Pub, the Hilton Governors’ Cup, Average Age Food Promotion and many more. Part proceeds generated from these 21st anniversary events and promotions have been donated to the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind, our major CSR partner for our anniversary year whom we have been working very closely with over the year on several initiatives to improve the welfare, education and quality of the students of both schools.