I am heading back to Colombo for work next week and my offices have just moved a bit south from the next to the Hilton location they previously occupied, so I've been looking at new places to stay. I've considered the Galle Face Regency wing and the Cinnamon Grand, but then I had remembered reading about a new boutique hotel in one of my travel mags. After some searching I realized it was the Park Street Hotel http://www.taruvillas.com/parkhotel.html , and it was on the Conde Nast "Hot List" which I tend to find is a decent indication of something I would like. It looks like one of 4 hotels owned by a company Taru Villas.
Any experiences there or one of the other 3 places?

I have stayed at the Hilton a couple of times but you need to request a newly renovated room I toured the Galle Face Regecny wing and looked at the rooms which seemed very nice but I thought the hotel was lacking something.

Just got back from a week in Colombo and decided to spend some time looking at options beyond the Hilton.

Park Street Hotel is a great find!! It's in a quiet little 'hood wedged between the two lakes, a few blocks from the Hilton Residence (not the Hilton in the Fort area). It is stunning, very modern and the website doesn't lie. I have a ton of pics if you want PM me and I will send some. More information at http://www.taruvillas.com/parkhotel.html. We also stayed at Taprobana, an hour + south on the beach and it was nice, but not quite as nice as Park Street. Park Street is my new home in Colombo. We had a staff of 5-7 pretty much dedicated to us. It has a nice compact pool, and the rooms in the converted warehouse are striking with 15 foot ceilings.

We also checked out this place, Casa Colombo http://www.casacolombo.com/. It's kind of quirky, and not yet ready for prime time (they had a soft opening, but the website suggests it's further along than it really is). I'd try it for drinks and dinner and get a tour of the rooms before committing to staying there. It's very hip, maybe too hip for most of us... They are going to be hard pressed to get the room rates they're asking for with the worsening security situation. Also, they have no liquor license right now so it is BYOB... would have been nice to know that! Food was just ok, but it was a stylish outdoor space, hard to tell you were in Colombo.

Stayed in an ocean front suite at the Galle Face Regency and it missed the mark, even for a highly discounted local rate we got ($130). Spotty internet, rough finishing and lack of upkeep were the main issues. Restaurant 1852 was stylish and good food, I'd recommend it, which is surprising given the rest of the hotel misses the mark.

stephem, my parents will be flying into CMB early in the morning and fly out late the next night so I need to find a place for them to stay. (This is to make use of the AZ fare!).

I had read about the two places you mention (they're in the Conde Nast hot picks list) and was wondering:

- how far are they from the aiport?
- casacolombo wants a ridiculous (close to) $100 for a one-way airport transfer. What other options would you recommend for them to get to the hotel easily and safely?
- finally, how would you recommend to try and get a decent rate. The rack rates for these places are pretty high considering the security situation but I suspect calling the hotel directly would yield better rates? (this is for January).

Thanks!

http://www.kiwicollection.com/search...REDIRECT=true/
might also be useful to compare

At night it will take about 30 to 45 mins to get from the airport to these hotels. Daytime can be double that.

$100 is indeed ridiculous for the transfer. There is a taxi desk as you exit the arrivals hall and the rate for a van (ie people carrier) to central Colombo should be about $20.

The rates on these 2 hotels are unreal. They cannot possibly be full or anywhere near that. I fell out with Park Street in July because they only had double beds in the rooms and I wanted twins - for which they were going to charge an extra $50 with no concession on the rack rate! They lost the business.

By the way, when I was in Sri Lanka last month I heard there is a problem with the liquor licence for the Casa and you have to bring in your own booze. That may have been fixed now.

Have a look at Galle Face Hotel. It is perfectly OK for one nigth but you must go for the Regency Wing - about $ 80 per night.

Thanks, lowlander!

Casa does indeed have a liquor license problem... they've made several excuses, but I think at 6 months of delay there must be something really wrong!

I wrote both places up on my travel blog with some photos...
Casa here
and Park Street here

Park Street will cut their rate a lot if you email them and play hard to get. Just email them if that's where you really want a room.

For a quick turn, I would suggest the Beach Hotel in Negombo. It's only 30 minutes from the airport. I'll eventually get some pics up on my travel blog and repost the link. There is no reason to go into the city if you are just here to do a turn... Same thing with the rates here, send them an email and tell them you wont pay their rack rate.

There are some great hotels in Sri Lanka (further south of Colombo), it's funny how people fly right in and out without ever getting to enjoy what is a perfectly safe and very enjoyable country. Plus, many hotels in Lanka can be had for about 60% of listed prices. Expat residents that I know tell me they usually negotiate about 50%, room upgrade if available and all prefix meals included! I like to pick what I eat, so I dont go with the meal option, but have had great luck with negotiating my own deal in advance.

stephem, this is great for so many of us; I really appreciate this 'off-brand' suggestion as you've widened the scope beyond the two Hilton properties, saving time on commutes in the morning to CMB and giving guidance as to how to negotiate.

Please elaborate (or PM!) further on suggestions for late January; I'll be there with Mrs B and as long as our personal safety is not at risk, I'd love to enjoy a bit of both expat and local flavour, rather than just transit in a hotel!

Cheers! ^

Thanks stephem. I agree, it's a pity people don't see more of the island. I am planning a few days there but for my (somewhat elderly) parents it may be a bit much. I like your suggestion of the Beach Hotel in Negombo. Will look it up.

i would also suggest the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo. while not quite luxury, it kicks the hilton (and the galle face). It's right across the street from the galle face and has a great pool up on the third or fouth floor. best pool in town in my book. the main restaurant is stylish and quite good, and as i said the rooms beat the hilton. watch out for the lowest rates, they are in the older building which isnt that nice. the $100 rate should get you a good room. you are close to park street and a few other good dinner spots too.

for other areas- Taru villas (owners of park street) have places that are top notch on the beaches in the south (see their website). Sweet boutiques where you can relax on a beach ALL alone and then eat pretty much alone. "Taprobana" was so relaxing. the car ride back to the airpot was brutal though. Again, call 'em up and ask for a better rate...

what about negotiating rates at villas, anyone done so? like Taprobane Island, IF, Dalip House, for example.

Unless the travelers want to actually see downtown Colombo it might be better to consider one of the airport hotels.

I have stayed at the Tamarind Tree in their suites which I think most people would find acceptable for "an overnight". And the buffet meals are as good as the fancier hotels downtown. Less than ten minutes by taxi. And should be a whole lot less than $100 / night. Book on the internet or through the airline.

OTOH, if beaches entice you, Negombo is not that far and there would be the possibility of wandering through the tourist shops nearby.

I would suspect at this point in time ALL Sri Lanka hotels would be appreciative of any customers.

Happy wandering

Fred

Any recent trip reports, particularly since recent troubles?
Detailed Australian Govt travel advice to Sri Lanka post-attacks: Smarttraveller.gov.au

Is the Negombo disrict still a good option or is the risk and experience still okay at the Hilton / Residences in the city?

I'm worried about public transport risks; will the 'free' Residences transportation be a private car or minibus?

We will be there 1-2 Feb!
Cheers!

PS. Here is an appropriate discussion on CMB safety/security, if you need to include an update or comment.

just added some links in thread you referenced