From our Executive Suite at the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo, high above the streets of the capital, we could drink in unparalleled views over Galle Face Green and the Indian Ocean.
The Shangri-La Hotel Colombo is a relatively new property, signalling a fresh era for hospitality in Sri Lanka. Set in a towering contemporary building designed by New York-based architects Handel, it adds a touch of Manhattan to this characterful city.
Inside the floor-to-ceiling windows, our contemporary living space was playful and decorated not only in the bright colours you see all over the country, but also in earthy ones, reflecting the interior designers’ vision of balancing the modernity of the exterior with the more natural hues of Sri Lankan nature.
Our ‘suite status’ granted us access to the club lounge on the 32nd floor of the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo. On offer, there are all-day snacks and drinks, along with a dedicated club concierge who helped us navigate what’s hot and what’s not in this experiential city.
Downstairs, the common areas are opulent, with some creative touches, such as the floral chandelier in the inviting and expansive marbled lobby. The elephant in the room – quite literally – was a meshed baby-elephant sculpture by celebrated Hong Kong artist Man Fung-Yi.
Beyond enjoying the hotel’s comforts, we tried out the local version of Shangri-La’s world-renowned Chi spas and dined at its delicious international eateries. With its local and global show-kitchens, Table 01 was a highlight, while at the property’s mouthwatering Shang Palace restaurant memories of East Asia came flooding back. For fine dining with Sri Lankan flair, try Kaema Sutra – we did and loved it.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Sophisticate | CMB | GMT +5.5 |
| While you’re Out There |
| The Shangri-La Hotel Colombo offers direct access to the country’s biggest mall, with over 200 retail outlets, giving us the chance to shop till we dropped if we wanted it. |
Photography courtesy of Shangri-La Hotel Colombo
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