Alice Luker is a blogger of StyleInSrilanka and she is an expert of Sri Lanka. She is very familiar with life in Colombo and Sri Lanka in general. She will guide you through all the luxury places to visit in Colombo Sri Lanka. Colombo Sri Lanka
Alice about her expertise in Colombo:
Having yo-yoed to and from the country since 2004, I’ve journeyed extensively across the island and hold a great love for Sri Lanka. I currently live in Colombo and regularly visit new places to share on my travel blog. Here I will list some of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka and in Colombo.
Colombo As a Luxury Destination
Why do you recommend Colombo as a luxury destination?
Like the rest of the island, Sri Lanka is small yet extremely diverse, with Colombo no exception. It’s best suited to luxury travellers seeking experience and culture- there aren’t any big designer brands that you find in other Asian capitals. There are lots of places to visit in Sri Lanka, but Colombo offers some of the best places for high-end travelers. The restaurant scene is fantastic (see Top Sri Lankan Restaurants in Colombo to read Alice’s Sri Lanka travel blog) and there is lots to see and do both centrally and nearby.
Best hotel?
My favourite hotel is Cinnamon Red. It is one of the best hotels in Colombo. Cinnamon Hotels in Colombo is a large chain. It’s grander counterpart, aptly named Cinnamon Grand is also fantastic (I regularly visit their British pub ‘Cheers’) but with super modern, stylish comforts combined with affordability (and an infinity rooftop pool!) this hotel has the edge for me. These are some of the best 5 star hotels in Colombo.
Cinnamon Red; 59 Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha
Best boutique hotel?
Sri Lanka hosts many luxury boutique hotels with unique character and charm. Many hotels in Colombo Sri Lanka are unique. My favourite hotel is Casa Colombo, a super stylish boutique with out of this world, eccentric interiors, all set in a stunning white moorish mansion built over 200 years ago.
Casa Colombo; 231 Galle Road, Bambalapitiya
Casa Colombo, Boutique Hotel – Places to Visit in Colombo Sri Lanka
Read more about where to stay in Sri Lanka here.
Best spa?
Spa Ceylon’s flagship branch in Colombo 7 is amazing. It is the best spa in Colombo in my opinion. I had a detoxifying body scrub/massage a few weeks ago and it was one of the best treatments I’ve had in Sri Lanka.
Spa Ceylon; 103/7 Galle Road
Best restaurants?
As previously mentioned, there is some delicious Sri Lankan cuisine on offer- both traditional and fusion. Sri Lankan restaurant Kaema Sutra at the Independence Arcade is my favourite. It is one of the best restaurants in Colombo. Their pollos (jackfruit) curry is perfect with mallum, dhal and oven roasted bread known as ‘kadey paan’.
Kaema Sutra; Independence Arcade, 30 Bauddhaloka Mawatha
Kaema Sutra, Chicken Curry – best restaurants in Colombo
Best sweets?
Butter Boutique in Colombo not only sells out of this world cakes, it also has the best coffee in town. For local desserts, Sri Lankan restaurant Upalis does an amazing Wattalapam; a coconut custard pudding with cashew nuts, spices and jaggery- local unrefined sugar made from palm sap.
Butter Boutique; No 34, 27th Lane
Upalis; No. 65 C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha
Watallapam at Upalis – Places to Visit in Colombo Sri Lanka
Best bars?
One of the best things to do in Sri Lanka is enjoying the night life of Colombo. There are some fantastic rooftop bars in Colombo. Sky Lounge at The Kingsbury is in the centre of Colombo however Ozo Hotels does the best espresso martini and cocktails with local liquor arrack.
Sky Lounge at The Kingsbury; 48 Janadhipathi Mawatha
Sky Lounge Kingsbury – Places to Visit in Colombo Sri Lanka
Best club?
If you are wondering what to do in Sri Lanka at night, there are pleanty of clubs. Although I tend to visit cocktail bars more often than nightclubs, I would recommend Kama or Clique.
Kama; 31 Horton Pl
Clique; Union Place
Best spots during the day?
There are some great shops that sell stylish travel memorabilia in the form of homewear, clothing, food etc- Paradise Road and Barefoot. Barefoot also hosts a lovely cafe, especially good on a Sunday afternoon for afternoon jazz.
Paradise Road; 213 Dharmapala Mawatha
Barefoot; 704 Galle Road
Shopping at Paradise Road – Places to Visit in Colombo Sri Lanka
Best view of the city?
At Cinnamon Red’s rooftop bar, Cloud Red
Cinnamon Red Infinity Pool
Best shopping in Colombo?
Shopping is one of the best things to do in Colombo. For affordable fashion Tropic of Linen is my latest favourite, selling light, cool clothes that are comfortable and stylish for men and women. Salt by Batik (womenswear only) embraces traditional batik design with a contemporary slant. Both are extremely affordable. For high end designer fashion with an Asian slant I love Zudhora, or for a European look, PR.
Tropic of Linen; No.1 Wijerama Mawatha
Salt by Batik; No 34, 27th Lane
Zudhora; 14 Reid Avenue
PR; 41 Horton Place
Tropic of Linen Modeled by Alice Luker
Adventurous activities?
For real adventure seekers I recommend heading north of the capital for kite surfing in Kalpitiya . I think the most adventurous activity in Colombo is the Tuk Tuk Safari experience- the roof opens and you can stand up and watch the world go by driving through the historic streets of Pettah- you need to be a little ballsy as it attracts a lot of attention!
Tuk Tuk Safari Sri Lanka
Tuk Tuk Safari wearing Batik by Salt – Places to Visit in Colombo Sri Lanka
Best beach?
Beaches in Colombo are outside of the capital city. Mount Lavinia 30-40 minutes in the suburbs is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike as well as Negombo, near the airport. My favourite beaches are down south (Mirissa) or north (Trinco/Nilaveli).
Best sunset?
My favourite spots are Galle Face Green for local street food at sunset or the Buddhist lake temple Seema Malaka.
Alice Luker
Bio: Alice Luker is a professional photographer and travel blogger based in Sri Lanka- founder of Style in Sri Lanka, a travel & culture blog featuring inspirational luxury travel combined with local life across the island. SIS encourages responsible, Eco friendly tourism, with an aim to educate, preserve and embrace the beauty of Sri Lankan culture.
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About Barbara
Barbara is a London based luxury travel and lifestyle blogger. She started traveling through Paris, London, New York, Milan, Tokyo at the age of 17 to conquer the World as a model. Ever since, she has visited 67 countries. She writes about the most exclusive jet-set destinations such as Cannes, Venice Film Festivals, Monaco Grand Prix, Oscar Parties in LA, Fashion Weeks in Milan or Paris as well as yacht parties in St-Tropez, Miami Art Basel, Biennale in Venice, Frieze in London or the Royal Wedding in Monaco.
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