Hotels near Arcade Independence Square, Colombo

Let me start with a few downsides: for a five-star hotel, there was no liquid hand soap, only bar soap. The toiletries were also very basic, small plastic bottles. We had to specifically ask for bathrobes and the low-quality disposable toothbrushes. The soundproofing was terrible; every time someone knocked on the opposite door, I felt like they were knocking on ours. The good points are: we were given two bottles of cinnamon drink upon arrival, the pool is beautiful, and the gym is decent. Apparently, haircuts are free, though I didn't try it, and there's a sauna too. We paid an average of over 600, and the taxes were quite high, so the value for money wasn't great in comparison. Oh, and the service was quite slow; we had to wait 10-20 minutes even for toothbrushes.

I recently stayed at the Colombo Court Hotel, and while it offers good value and excellent rooms, the hospitality felt a bit rigid for a tourist. First, the bright spots: The room itself was fantastic. It was large, impeccably clean, and featured great-quality sheets with plenty of excellent pillows. The bathroom was stocked with plush towels and quality toiletries. Since I arrived fighting a cold, the great selection of coffee and teas in the room was an absolute lifesaver. However, the customer service left a lot to be desired. I arrived at noon after an all-night flight. Even though it's the low season and the hotel felt completely empty, the front desk rigidly enforced the 2:00 PM check-in time. They didn't even offer an early check-in for a fee. Instead, I was told I could wait out in the heat by the pool for two hours. There was also a strange billing issue at check-in. The front desk asked me for a $43 payment, even though I had already prepaid in full. I had to firmly show them my paperwork showing the booking platform's virtual credit card payment before they backed off. They didn't bring it up again, but it felt a bit like a shakedown attempt. Finally, my booking confirmation explicitly stated checkout was between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Yet, at 11:30 AM, staff knocked on my door telling me checkout was actually at 11:00 AM. Even after showing the front desk my confirmation, they insisted their rule was 11:00 AM. The staff was always friendly and polite, but it felt like they were serving their rulebook rather than their guests. The property is very clean but has much more of a business-traveler vibe than a welcoming tourist destination. I have another reservation here for my return leg, but I’ll be canceling it to stay somewhere else.

I chose the newly opened Amari Hotel (Amari Colombo) for my first two nights in Colombo, drawn by its reputation for sea views. The sea view from the room and the rooftop infinity pool were huge plusses, and the service was good, but there were quite a few flaws. I stayed in a Deluxe Sea View King Room on the 16th floor. The room's large floor-to-ceiling windows directly faced the sea, offering a great view and easy sunset watching. Unfortunately, the popular Grabbell Hotel partially obstructed the view to the left, making the angle for admiring the sea from bed not ideal. The room itself was very new, but the design had numerous illogical aspects: ① The 'king' bed was actually two single beds pushed together, with a gap in the middle, making it very uncomfortable to sleep on. ② The bathroom wasn't a 'three-fixture separation' (toilet, shower, sink in separate areas), and opening the bathroom door completely blocked the toilet, leading to poor circulation and accessibility. ③ After the main light switch was turned off for a period, the power outlets also shut off, preventing phone charging. If the main switch wasn't turned off, some lights couldn't be switched off individually. ④ The curtains required pulling cords on both sides to operate, and there was no corresponding instruction in the room. I only discovered this after struggling to pull the curtains for a long time. I was quite surprised to find such design flaws in a hotel that had been open for two years. The hotel service attitude was generally good. Checking in at 1:30 AM, the concierge was still on duty, helping with luggage from the car and later delivering it to the room. The front desk staff were also very friendly, and I didn't experience any discrimination. The rooftop infinity pool on the 26th floor also directly faces the sea. The pool isn't large or deep, but it's sufficient for leisure. There's also a bar by the pool, offering panoramic views of most of Colombo, with particularly stunning scenery at dusk. Breakfast, located on the 5th floor, featured strong local characteristics, with an array of various curries spread across the buffet. Opinions were sharply divided; my wife loved it, while I couldn't get used to it at all. Overall, to fully enjoy this hotel, you need to book a sea-view room and comfortably watch the sunset from your room or the rooftop pool. Otherwise, it's just a slightly flawed, but generally acceptable, four-star hotel.

This hotel is a newly opened five-star Marriott hotel on the Colombo waterfront. Across the street is the Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, a five-star hotel with a striking exterior. After much deliberation, I chose this one on the beachfront. There's security at the porte-cochère, and a baggage check before entering the hotel. The ground floor is lined only with sofas, and the front lobby is above. The lobby lounge was very spacious and had a gorgeous atmosphere – truly impressive. I arrived early, so the front desk wasn't crowded, and they upgraded my room without any special comment. It was a room with round walls, which I love, and absolutely beautiful. The room's interior and furniture had a more classic feel than I expected, with a large column, a spacious bed, and a large television being particularly striking. The minibar was housed in a heavy, single-door cabinet, giving it a luxurious feel, and there were five bottles of mineral water. However, the minibar refrigerator is usually locked, so it was a shame that I couldn't chill the water. There was welcome fruit on the table in the foreground. Next to the entrance was a walk-in closet, and beyond that was a spacious bathroom. The bathtub was open, but I appreciated that the toilet and shower were properly separated. The beauty mirror was also unusually large. Best of all was the round terrace, which offered views overlooking the beach and the city. The hotel has two pools, both infinity pools overlooking the ocean. The gym was in a hard-to-find location, behind a spa-like reception area. The breakfast area was one of the largest I've seen in any hotel so far, with plenty of food, but it was crowded and difficult to find things, which was a bit tiring. Also, there was a long line at the live kitchen, and many people, including the staff taking orders, were cutting in line, which was disappointing. If you'd like to see a video introduction to this hotel, try searching for ”hakurepo” or the hotel name on YouTube.

I had a wonderful stay at this hotel, everything was perfect. The staff are incredibly kind, welcoming, and always ready to help. The reception team especially made me feel comfortable and well taken care of throughout my stay. If you’re thinking about booking, don’t hesitate! this is a great place to stay!

Cinnamon Life truly lives up to its name as the City of Dreams! The facilities are world-class, offering everything you could possibly need and more. There are plenty of dining options with excellent food outlets to choose from. The gym is well-equipped and maintained, perfect for keeping up with your fitness routine during your stay. The pool area is spotless and inviting, with attentive onsite lifeguards ensuring safety at all times. The poolside bar is a great place to relax and unwind a perfect spot to chill out after a busy day. Cinnamon Life is more than just a hotel; it’s a full-fledged business and entertainment centre that has everything under one roof. I truly enjoyed my stay and will definitely be returning!

I chose this hotel for its sea view, and it's just a few hundred meters' walk to the beach. In the evening, after watching the sunset, we went to a nearby shopping mall for dinner. The front desk staff were very friendly and helped us book a taxi through the Uber platform.

It’s quite a vibey place. The stuff was really friendly and helpful. It’s a good place to spend a couple of nights if you’re in Colombo. The breakfast was quite good with several choices available.

I had a wonderful stay at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. From the moment I arrived, everything exceeded my expectations. The service staff were exceptionally friendly, professional, and always ready to help with a smile. The hotel environment was beautiful, clean, and very relaxing. I especially loved the garden area, the swimming pool, and the stunning beach views. Waking up to the ocean view from my room was an amazing experience. Even the washroom was well-maintained and offered a great view, which made the stay feel even more special. What impressed me the most was the genuine hospitality of the staff. They made me feel welcome throughout my stay and paid attention to every detail to ensure my comfort. Overall, I would rate my experience 10/10. Everything—from the location and facilities to the service and atmosphere—was simply perfect. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a relaxing and memorable stay in Sri Lanka.

Amazing location and friendly staff and clean rooms. Will be a added bonus if we can have Jaffna food Available all day from lunch time till midnight. Great experianca. Well done