Hilton Colombo

BACKGROUND

Hilton Colombo has been operating in Sri Lanka’s capital since 1987. Given its long-standing status and rather dated design, renovations of its guest rooms are underway, with all 345 set to be complete by the time of going to press. Hilton has three more properties in Sri Lanka, including Hilton Yala Resort (see page 44).

WHERE IS IT? The hotel is located in Colombo’s central business district and helpfully connected to the World Trade Center by a walkway bridge. The Dutch Hospital shopping centre is five minutes away while Gangaramaya Temple is a ten-minute walk. The hotel can organise a car transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport, which is about 45 minutes away.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? It’s a vast 19-storey property with an energetic atmosphere evident as soon as you enter – wedding parties cross paths with corporate types, while families gather in the spacious openplan lobby.

As with many establishments in Colombo, presumably due to the terrorist attacks on the city in 2019, the entrance has a security scanner for bags and individuals. Once you’re through, staff wheel your bag to reception. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out at 12pm. I headed to my room within minutes, greeted by welcoming staff at the lifts.

The lobby is adorned in wood panelling and high, carved ceilings, with plenty of seating. The tropical grounds are expansive and include a beautiful lotus pond and events lawn, while a footbridge takes guests over the road to the resort-style part of the hotel, with a pool and sun loungers.

ROOMS

The rooms range from 31 sqm to 80 sqm suites. There are Executive floors (16-17) with rooms and suites including access to the Executive Lounge on the second floor. At the time of going to press, the hotel had refurbished 192 rooms. I secured a newly renovated suite on the 11th floor. The refurbishment has seen the addition of teak wood, bronze Art Decostyle lighting features and wardrobes with veneers. My King Deluxe Sea View suite had large windows overlooking Colombo Harbour, Port City Colombo and

A vast 19-storey property with an energetic atmosphere evident as soon as you enter

the Indian Ocean. Also featured were a spacious living room with a 55-inch TV, an L-shaped sofa and long dining table – which had a boardroom-like feel – and a sizeable bedroom with a small table and a pristine en suite bathroom with a rain shower and bathtub (there is also a bathroom beside the entrance). Additional features included air con and thermostat, a safe, hairdryer, minibar with soft drinks and beers, tea-making facilities (but no coffee machine), iron and ironing board, robes and slippers. Sri Lankan touches included furnishings from local furniture maker Don Carolis, motifs inspired by Dumbara weaving.

Sadly, the dining table did not have any built-in USB or plug sockets. Instead, the table in the bedroom had a hub with USB sockets, a UK plug socket and HDMI port. Personally, I would prefer this to be in the lounge so I could separate work and sleep. Also, a few areas in the room looked a little tired. For instance, cup ring marks on the marble table, a broken doorstop and fiddly curtains.

FOOD AND DRINK For casual fare, there’s Café Kai and the sleek L.A.B (Lounge & Bar), which serves afternoon tea, evening drinks with entertainment and an “overnight menu” until 1am. If you’ve had one too many glasses, grab the mic at the Stella Karaoke Bar, or instead listen to DJs at the all-day poolside SunsetBlu. Emperor’s Wok offers Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine, while Graze Kitchen has an extensive à la carte menu and buffet offering Chinese, Indian, Italian, Japanese and Sri Lankan cuisine. I enjoyed dining here as a solo traveller, discussing favourite foods with the waitress.

MEETINGS There’s 1,373 sqm of event space across 17 meeting and banqueting rooms, including a 730 sqm ballroom.

LEISURE The grounds have an outdoor pool, kids’ pool and fitness centre.

VERDICT

A good option for business travellers, with great facilities for work and play. Service is a standout. Hannah Brandler

BESTFOR

Friendly service in a convenient location

DON’TMISS

Indulging at the fittingly named Graze Buffet

PRICE

Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in July start from US$283 for a King Deluxe Sea View suite (US$182 for entry-level)

CONTACT

2 Sir Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo, 00200, Sri Lanka; +94 112 492 492; hilton.com