Maniumpathy, Colombo, Sri Lanka - Explore & Book

"Small, chic Maniumpathy is the antithesis of a city hotel yet is located right in the heart of Colombo's trendy Colombo 7 district. Exceptionally private, oozing heritage style and promising personalised service, this exquisite 19th-century former home of a doctor from Jaffna is one of the island’s best-preserved ancestral abodes. Liberally adorned with antiques, artefacts, old family photographs and prints that evoke the past, rooms are named after family matriarchs, and radiate out from a leafy garden courtyard shaded by a yellow blossoming cassia tree. Smiling butlers serve chilled freshly pressed juices and fusion meals on a pretty veranda overlooking the sun-kissed pool. Indoors you’ll find an air-conditioned cigar room, an open-plan hallway/lounge and a formal dining table for 16. The hotel is a delightful first or last stop on a busy touring itinerary, and just a few minutes from shops, art galleries, cafés and restaurants. Couples and small groups curious about Colombo will find this an inner-city oasis. Highs The extremely welcoming staff are experts in making you feel at homeWe loved the carefully curated details – photographs, prints, claw-footed bathtubs, heritage antiques, parquet floorsThe food is delicious, with plenty of light, healthy optionsA real inner-city sanctuary – the perfect respite from buzzy ColomboAll 7 rooms are stylish and luxurious, and a couple have hidden courtyards for additional privacy Lows Despite being set back from the main road, you're in the city centre so daytime traffic noise and sirens are inevitableYou might hear your fellow guests dining on the veranda if you’re staying in a ground-floor room and opt to sleep earlyNo air conditioning in the spa treatment roomThe pool is small, though adequateNo children under 7" - Emma Boyle