Shangri-La Hotel Colombo

Shangri-La introduces its brand of refined hospitality to Colombo with unprecedented design, comfort and views — and a level of luxury that raises the stakes for the hotel industry in the whole of Sri Lanka.

A wind of change is sweeping the capital. The spirit of the new and the exciting is embodied by the billion-dollar Port City project, which is set to become an eye-catching urban center rivaling other top cities in Asia. One of the first new skyscrapers here is Shangri-La Hotel Colombo, opened in December 2017. It’s a sleek, multi-story building overlooking the new development and the sea beyond.

Splendour and retro booths

As we drove along the Galle Face seafront and the car turned to the hotel’s driveway, the brilliant sun gleamed off the facade of the building, seemingly in a greeting. We wondered, perhaps it was just a hint of the things inside?

The first impressions as we walked in were that of comfortable space with interiors striking the perfect balance between the grand and the cozy. The designers crafted a style that expresses both the ardency of a new project and the confidence of a mature luxury brand. Set in hues of bronze and gold, the lobby and the adjacent areas have a distinct “Shangri-La style” of refined luxury with hints of true splendor.

The restaurants entice with character and creative ideas — and the most interesting among them is Capital Bar & Grill. It’s designed as a classic American roadside diner, with the striking retro-style blue booths, and an excellent grill and steak menu to match.

Our favorite restaurant was the beautiful Kaema Sutra, focused on Sri Lankan flavors and style. We loved its themed furniture and décor, especially the wall adorned with the traditional masks. And the meal of crustaceans we had for dinner was simply excellent.

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Horizon

The style of the guest accommodation is subtle and elegant. Well-crafted furniture and decor using marble, silk and light wood all contribute to the sophisticated luxury of the bedrooms. High-end technology, including fast free Wifi, as well as services of a personal butler, complement the comfort of the suites. To top it all off, the rooms higher up come with a great view either of the city or the harbor and sea.

We checked-in to one of the rooms in the Horizon Club category. These have a range of benefits, including access to the exclusive club lounge. Breakfasts in a private setting and daily afternoon snacks are offered here, but the lounge is also a great space to pop in for a drink or just relax at any time of the day.

What makes the difference

The hotel seduced us with the elegance of its interior design, with excellent restaurants, and with the great service in particular. The staff clearly feels proud of being part of the Shangri-La Colombo family, and the level of their training is matched only by the eagerness to create the best possible experience for their guests. This really made a difference.

Shangri-La Hotel Colombo was our first stop on a long journey in Sri Lanka, and we couldn’t shake off the feeling that the stay here was too short.

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in our opinion

Shangri-La Colombo is a remarkable luxury hotel that has all the hallmarks of a well-established, refined property. The design, the level of service, the excellent cuisine and high-end interiors make it one of the best luxury hotels in the city.

What we love

• Great location on the seafront, and the edge of the new Port City. It's the best address in Colombo.
• Service. The staff at the Shangri-La Colombo takes things up a notch when comes to their attentiveness and overall approach.
• Well-balanced interior design. The classy inner spaces are infused with lots of character where it matters, while the guest rooms are elegant, comfortable and luxurious. We recommend booking one of the Horizon Club suites.
• We really loved to be frequent guests at the Horizon Club, with its private lounge area and refined hospitality. Perfect place for afternoon snacks and drinks.
• The food was excellent. From the delicious, varied breakfasts at Table One to the fantastic dinners at Kaema Sutra. Kaema Sutra was our favorite restaurant. Founded by the world-class chef Dharshan Munidasa and the Sri Lankan-born Bollywood superstar Jacqueline Fernandez, the place aims to promote and champion the local cuisine. And, we can attest, they are doing it with great results. The lobster here is exquisite — and don’t forget to try the all-new Black Hopper made with squid ink.
• Kaema Sutra is also one of the social hot spots in the city, with DJ music and live entertainment. And don't miss the sunset in the outdoor sitting area, while sipping one of the Signature cocktails, served in the fancy ceramic mugs shaped in the form of the traditional Srilankan masks.

What you should know

• The hotel has good facilities, including a very well-equipped gym. WiFi is fast and reliable.
• Right now, while the land reclamation work is ongoing, and for the next few years until the construction of the Port City is completed, the view from the hotel is not actually all that great (though the sea itself looks fab!).
• Make sure to plan at least 45 minutes for getting to the airport from the hotel (depending on the traffic and the day of the week it can take even longer).
• Getting there: The flight-comparison sites such as Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.com) or Kayak (www.kayak.com) will help you find the best flights and deals.