Cinnamon Grand Colombo

It may not be much to look at from street level -- the drab exterior reveals the hotel’s age -- but the Cinnamon Grand is something on an institution in Colombo. One's first impression will likely improve as a uniformed doorman leads guests through a revolving door into an airy lobby cheerfully lit with skylights and a fountain centerpiece. The lobby is a hub of activity -- always bustling and great for people-watching. (Those seeking a relaxing stay should consider one of Colombo’s quieter boutique hotels.) There are several events held daily in the Atrium, a jaw-dropping space in the Premier Wing with huge glowing chandeliers that will invite photographs. Additional meeting spaces and restaurants are scattered around both wings of the hotel, as well as outside by the pool. There are two Cinnamon sister properties in the capital: Lakeside, with slightly lower prices, and the newer Red property, for younger budget-minded travelers (offering a rooftop deck!). The Grand outpost is the larger and most expensive of the three, and is one well known for drawing business travelers and airline crews -- though it is suited for anyone seeking a central location and the amenities of a big hotel. Though signs of age are still present, Cinnamon has undergone refurbishments and new changes always seem to be underway. While business guests are highly visible during the day, in the late afternoons and early evenings more leisure guests emerge, often to enjoy tea or cocktails in the plush lobby lounge where there are live performances on the grand piano. Many locals arrive dressed to the nines for weddings or events, or to dine at the restaurants. This is a testament to how much the Sri Lankans support the domestic Cinnamon brand (Cinnamon owns more hotel rooms in the country than any other company, as well as Cinnamon Air, grocery stores, banks, and real estate). One will not be able to find this unique international and local following at other large chain hotels nearby.

Cinnamon Grand is a major city hotel about a 45-minute drive from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport. It sits along a safe and central area of the capital within easy walking distance of the Crestcat Boulevard Mall, the U.S. Embassy, major business hubs, national bank headquarters, and Galle Face Green -- an expansive oceanside park and beach that was originally built in 1859 under British rule for horse racing, golf, rugby, and polo. Within a 10-minute drive are the Colombo Townhall, the National Museum, and the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Center. The Grand lacks Indian Ocean views -- it is set back too far; those hoping to overlook the water may want to consider the more luxurious Kingsbury. Guests can easily get a taxi from the main entrance for transportation around the city and to the airport. The doorman will arrange it, though prices are inflated for tourists. To save money, guests can walk down the driveway to the entrance along the main road where tuk-tuks are waiting for business -- a more fun, chaotic, and authentic way to travel. 

There are 501 rooms and suites in two separate wings: the Premium Wing and the Courtyard Wing. Though all have been refurbished with modern amenities, some areas are still in need of a refresh, especially some of the carpeting and bedding. Note that Deluxe Courtyard Wing rooms have tub/shower combos, while standard Deluxe Premium Wing rooms tend to have separate walk-in glass showers and jetted tubs.All standard rooms in both wings have king-size beds with white linens, colorful accents, and near floor-to-ceiling windows with city and/or pool views. Stocked minibars have wine, beer, liquor, soda, Red Bull, nuts, and chocolate. Free water, instant coffee, and tea-making facilities are provided. Furnishings include flat-screen TVs, and work desks which tend to face the center of the room rather than the wall. Other amenities include 24-hour room service, shoe shines, and nightly turndown service with chocolates. Bathrooms have marble vanities, a nice range of toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers.Executive Rooms have separate elevators and 24-hour butler service, DVD players, and rain showerheads. Guests at this level have access to the Executive Lounge for free breakfast, high tea, snacks, cocktails and late night small plates. There is also a smoking lounge and meeting space. Executive Suites have separate living rooms and an additional guest bathroom. Presidential, Apartment, and Penthouse Suites in both wings have custom art and design elements with expansive views. These come with with a separate living room, dining room (Presidential can seat up to eight people for dinner), kitchenette, master bedroom and bath, and separate powder room. 

Guests at the Grand have free access to fitness activities, including two swimming pools. This is perk during the day for leisure travelers, especially in the workweek, when it seems that everyone is inside attending conferences or meetings. The main outdoor pool has a unique shape and sits next to a few restaurants and bars with outdoor seating. There are pretty palm trees, nice wooden lounge chairs, areas of grass, and umbrellas for shade -- a nice respite from the city chaos. At night, the pool becomes low-lit and romantic. The second outdoor pool and cold-water whirlpool is part of the Angsana City Club & Spa building next door. It is a rooftop location, with lounge chairs either in the sun or covered for shade. A cafe attached tends to see more of a crowd in the evenings when people use the space for drinks and casual dinners. The Angsana complex also holds a sleek wood-floor indoor fitness center with 16 modern cardio stations and 10 weight training machines. The locker rooms each have a sauna, steam room and rain showers. This is open to local members, so it may see a crowd, especially in the morning, lunch, and after work hours. The Angsana Spa, also in the complex, is run by Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts (based out of Singapore). Staff are highly trained at the brand’s Phuket academy for Thai-based body and facial treatments. Guests at the Grand receive a 10 percent discount.The property has two indoor squash courts and two outdoor tennis courts with floodlights for evening play. The Executive Lounge on the 9th floor (for Executive Floor guests) offers breakfast, cocktails, canapes, and late-night snacks alongside nice views. A boardroom and smoker’s lounge is also provided. The Hospitality Lounge has a shower, board games, magazines, newspapers, and free coffee and tea, handy for those who arrive early or depart late. The Airline Crew Lounge offers free coffee, tea, cookies, games, DVDs, and a computer station. Meeting spaces in the hotel include the large awe-inspiring Atrium in the Premier Wing (often used for panels or weddings), smaller conference areas, and a number of boardrooms. Cheers Kids’ Club is open daily from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. for kids ages one through six. The supervised playroom has games, books, and a library for watching movies. Free Wi-Fi and parking is free for all guests. The front desk and concierge can also arrange a number of tours and excursions, as well as transportation, though costs will likely be higher than if booking directly. 

The hotel's 14 food and drink venues are popular not just with hotel guests, but guests at other hotels and local Sri Lankans, which contributes to a lively, interesting scene. Near the main outdoor pool are the Breeze Bar, a poolside bar and restaurant serving snacks, tapas, juices, and cocktails (there are happy hour specials), as well as Tao, the Asian-fusion restaurant in an outdoor setting with garden and pool views. Also near here are Taprobane, an indoor 24-hour international buffet restaurant with three spreads for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as the Lagoon, a seafood restaurant with a catch of the day for lunch and dinner.Grand's latest addition is the trendy Noodles restaurant, led by a Vietnamese chef and with an open kitchen where guests can watch the action. The menu offers up to 10 noodle types and 70 dishes influenced by Vietnam, China, Thailand, Japan, and Malaysia. The London Grill is a fine-dining restaurant with gourmet cuisine, and is open for dinner only. Dress codes apply and the restaurant may be closed to the public for private events. Echo is in the adjacent building where the spa and fitness center are located and offers homemade pastas, risottos, and pizzas for lunch and dinner. The Café, attached to the rooftop pool at Angsana, serves healthy and casual fare for lunch and early dinner. Chutneys is an Indian restaurant featuring cuisine from four southern states of India. This is in the lobby level and is open for lunch and dinner. Nuga Gana serves the local rural cuisine of Sri Lanka. The Coffee Stop is a quick service takeaway in the lobby for sweet and savory snacks, and espresso drinks. The Courtyard offers takeaway coffee, juices and breakfast in the Courtyard Wing. In the lobby is the Tea Lounge with plush seating arrangements for meetings and dates over coffee, tea (high tea service is offered every afternoon), and cocktails. A pianist plays daily, and this is a great spot to watch the hustle and bustle of the lobby. Cheers Pub is in the Courtyard Wing for casual bar food where guests can watch sporting events. There is a kids' club attached, which serves kid-friendly fare like burgers, fish fingers, hot dogs, and ice cream.