sri-lanka-13-full-pdf-ebook.pdf

Colombo

Colombo

Sl

EEP

iN

g

Colombo

S

l

EEP

iN

g

Some rooms have bright views and balco-
nies, especially the top-floor suite.

oCinnamon Grand Hotel HOTEl $$$
(Map p64; %243 7437; http://www.cinnamonhotels.
com; 77 galle Rd, Col 3; r US$130-200; aiWs)
Colombo’s best large hotel has a central loca-
tion well back from Galle Rd. It buzzes with
energy as there always seems to be an elite
wedding on while some high-profile pol-
itician strolls the huge, airy lobby. The 501
rooms are large; ask for a high floor to enjoy
views. Service is excellent.
There’s a fitness centre, big outdoor swim-
ming pool, numerous top-notch restaurants
and a lobby cafe.

oColombo Courtyard BOUTiQUE HOTEl $$$
(Map p64; %464 5333; http://www.colombocourtyard.
com; 32 Alfred House Ave, Col 3; r US$105-160;
aWs) All the comforts you could ask for
(huge TVs, work areas, rain showers and
more) are appealingly packaged at this new
small hotel. Some rooms look onto the pool
area. The entire property feels more like a
posh urban retreat than mere hotel. Need
some action? The rooftop bar, Cloud Cafe, is
a trendy hangout.

Taj Samudra HOTEl $$$
(Map p64; %244 6622; http://www.tajhotels.com; 25 gal-
le Face Centre Rd, Col 3; r US$140-250; aiWs)
Part of the well-regarded Indian chain, this
vast edifice has elegant public areas and a
lovely 11-acre garden, as well as myriad res-
taurants and bars, including a 24-hour cafe.
The 270 rooms have recently been given a
luxe refurb.

Galle Face Hotel HOTEl $$$
(Map p64; %254 1010, 254 1016; http://www.galleface
hotel.com; 2 Kollupitiya Rd, Col 3; r US$110-250;
aiWs) The grande dame of Colombo
faces Galle Face Green to the north and the
sea to the west. The sweeping staircases and
trademark checked-tile floors recall the ho-
tel’s opening in 1864. Ongoing renovations
are meant to restore the former grandeur in
the main building to match the newish Re-
gency wing. Service can be hit or miss.
Look for the huge plaque near the en-
trance with the names of the famous who’ve
bedded down here, from Noel Coward to
Richard Nixon to ‘Carrie Fisher “Star Wars” ’.

4 Cinnamon Gardens

The tree-lined streets here offer at least the
allusion of genteel charm.

Parisare HOMESTAY $

(Map p64; %269 4749; 97/1 Rosmead Pl, Col 7; r Rs

3300-4000) It’s not the most luxurious guest-

house in town, but it’s probably the most

interesting. Parisare is a modern split-level

home with few walls so that many of the

common spaces are open-air. It’s cluttered

but clean and down a small alley next to the

French embassy. Parisare’s three rooms book

up early.

Ranjit’s Ambalama g UESTHOUSE $$

(Map p64; %250 2403, 071 234 7400; http://www.ranjits

ambalama.com; 53/19 Torrington Ave, Col 7; r Rs

5000-8000; aW) This guesthouse is modern

and airy, with a small leafy courtyard and

a wealth of books on Buddhism. There are

seven rooms, three with private bathroom.

All rooms have air-con (for an extra Rs 1500).

Finding the house is a bit tricky. Coming

down Torrington Ave from Bauddhaloka

Mawatha, look for the mosque on the right,

then take the first left at a small playground

and then the first right. It’s the second house

on the left.

Paradise Road

Tintagel Colombo BOUTiQUE HOTEl $$$

(Map p64; %460 2122; http://www.tintagelcolombo.com;

65 Rosmead Pl, Col 7; r US$150-350; aiWs)

Set inside an old mansion with a notorious

past when it was a home for local politi-

cians, this stylish hotel dazzles with its dark,

minimalist design, elegant contours and

idiosyncratic artworks. Part of the Paradise

Road design empire, each of the 10 rooms

is unique and some include private splash

pool. Prince Charles and Camilla bunked

here in 2013.

4 Borella

This middle-class neighbourhood is both

quiet and rather far from the rest of Colom-

bo to the west. There are several comfy fami-

ly-run guesthouses scattered about here and

nearby Mardana.

Garden Guest House g UESTHOUSE $$

(Map p64; %269 7919; http://www.gardenguesthouse

colombo.com; 7 Karlshrue gardens, Col 10; r €40;

aW) The modern home of Mrs Chitran-

gi de Fonseka bubbles with eccentricity,

including chintzy decor, lots of porcelain

and an indoor fountain. The three spacious

rooms have TVs and a pink colour scheme

that would delight a preteen girl. Bus 103 or

171 from Fort will drop you nearby; get off at

Punchi Borella Junction.