Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo

This beige seven-floor hotel has a stacked design that wraps around the pool facing the lake, leaving the congested city road practically out of view. Tuk-tuks pull into the lower-level driveway that leads to several shops and the fitness center, which means guests will need to haul their luggage up to the main lobby for check-in. Taxis, on the other hand, are allowed entry to the main driveway for proper doorman service. The Colombo-based Cinnamon hotels are well-known in Sri Lanka. Lakeside, for its part -- with green grass, trees, and water views -- has a retreat feel for those who want a more natural environment without leaving the city. It is a popular for weddings and business groups, who both (sometimes simultaneously) create traffic jams in the lobby, already a hub of activity as guests make use of the popular lobby bar, or stand around waiting for the buffet restaurant to open. Next to the pool, accessed from the lobby, is the door towards the spacious terrace with outdoor tables for enjoying drinks or dinner from three restaurants in this area. Late night entertainment can be had in two bars; early-risers, on the other hand, will be rewarded with a serene morning pool where they can swim laps or sit back and enjoy a pastry and coffee from the bakery, free of crowds. 

Cinnamon Lakeside is a city hotel about a 45-minute drive from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport. It sits along the pretty but polluted Beira Lake -- as can be seen from the pool, terrace and most rooms -- and offers a private waterfront venue for weddings and events. The lake was originally used for transportation of goods around the city and through canals to the outer areas. Though it feels tucked away from urban action, the hotel is close to shopping malls, the World Trade Center, the railway station, and green parks along the Indian Ocean (the lake connects by way of Galle Face). On the other side of the lake is the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Center, and there are several big name hotels in the area, like the Hilton, and soon-to-be Shangri-La. 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 usually 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. 

This hotel has 340 renovated rooms that take up the seven-floor structure. All come with dark wood furnishings, working desks, flat-screen TVs, free bottled water, tea/coffee-making facilities, and mini-bars stocked with snacks and refrigerated soft drinks, juices, beer and liquor. Marble bathrooms have tub/shower combos with glass barriers, and bathrobes and slippers. Decor ranges per floor, and is often colorful, sometimes too colorful, like the bright green carpeting in some, or splashy backdrop walls in others. Local newspapers are available for free delivery, but local phone calls will incur a charge. Superior Rooms have city views and Premium Rooms have views of the lake or pool and include an ottoman chair. Cilantro Suites have separate living areas and private terraces. The Presidential Suite is the largest unit in the hotel with a private bar, grand piano, and beautiful terrace overlooking the lake. There is a master bedroom and bathroom, and two more bedrooms can be added for bigger groups.  Executive Floor Rooms are on the 7th floor and come with free access to the Executive Floor Lounge. Guests will have express check-in, free breakfast, free coffee/tea throughout the day, gourmet snacks, and free cocktails in the evenings. In addition, these rooms have 24-hour butler service and fresh fruit on arrival. 

Though guests cannot access the lake and will definitely not want to swim in it -- it is rather polluted -- they can get their fill of waterfront views from the large outdoor pool. Before crowds arrive, early-bird guests may be found using the pool for lap swimming or enjoying coffee and pastries in peace and quiet. There are several comfortable sun loungers ready for the taking, set with inviting blue and white beach towels (no towel sign-in required). Trees provide some shade, and a separate kiddie pool is available for little ones. A pool bar is open throughout the day and into the evening. Also on this lower level are souvenir shops, and a health club with tennis and squash courts, a sauna and steam bath. This club does have local members, so it may feel busy. The spa, Azmaara, is available for Balinese-style massages, facials, and nail treatments. In addition to the private function space along the waterfront, there are three boardrooms for meetings: Duchess Suite, Princess Suite and Empress Suite. A business center is located on the 6th floor. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

A significant trait of the brand -- the food and beverage program -- includes an international buffet restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner, next to the lobby. Expect to pay extra for breakfast, as it's not included in the room rate. Á la carte options include 7° North -- a tapas restaurant with modern cocktails. The sleek lounge vibe has a neon interior space with arty films playing against the wall. Outdoor seating here connects to the Thai and Chinese restaurants, with both indoor and outdoor seating (reservations recommended). Inside the lobby is a bar for afternoon tea, sushi, and evening drinks in an air-conditioned space. A hallway from here leads to the members- and guests-only Library Bar. The lounge is a posh place with dark furnishings and and books lining the shelves. There is a dance floor in the back where music turns to a deejay or band, which sits adjacent to a billiards room. There's a bakery on the lower level for pastries and coffee and other take-away items.