Shangri-La Colombo

I had an amazing time at the pool bar! The atmosphere was relaxing and perfect for unwinding with a drink. What made the experience truly memorable was the exceptional service from the staff. Special thanks to Praveen and Tharidhu, who went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. They were friendly, attentive, and made me feel very welcome throughout my visit. The drinks were excellent, the service was seamless, and their warm hospitality really stood out. I highly recommend the pool bar—Praveen and Tharidhu will make your visit truly enjoyable!

I stayed at Shangri-La Colombo for a 3-day ECU workshop and was blown away by the experience! My sea view room on the 27th floor (they have rooms up to the 32nd) offered stunning panoramic views of the Indian Ocean; absolutely breathtaking, especially at sunset. The back side of the hotel overlooks Beira Lake and the iconic Lotus Tower, making the location a visual treat from both angles. The breakfast and lunch buffets at Central restaurant were overwhelming, with 40-50 varieties of dishes, from Sri Lankan specialties to international cuisines. The quality was top-notch, but the sheer volume felt excessive, surely some food goes to waste, which is a shame. That said, the restaurant’s ambiance was fantastic, with airy, elegant decor and a lively yet sophisticated vibe. The Capital Bar & Grill was another highlight: great steaks, seafood, and an impressive cocktail menu. The live music added a vibrant touch, and the retro-chic atmosphere was perfect for unwinding. The hotel’s architecture is marvelous, with lotus-inspired chandeliers and open, light-filled spaces that blend Sri Lankan elements with modern luxury. The staff were incredibly cooperative and professional, ensuring our workshop ran smoothly and making us feel welcomed throughout. My only critique is the food waste concern, but overall, this is a luxurious gem in Colombo with exceptional views, dining, and service. Highly recommend for business or leisure stays!

We stayed for two nights in an outer connecting Executive suite + Premier Ocean View room. The airport pick up was smooth and the room was neat, clean and comfortable. We did the half did city tour which our driver/guide was great, it was a great introduction to the country. Breakfast was okay and the executive lounge had a lovely view and spaces to lounge in. Airport transfer was also efficient, would stay here again.

I stayed here for 2 days. Specifically we got the executive room with the interconnecting room on our first day as there was 3 of us, we wanted privacy, and an extra layer of security. I have to preface this by saying I stay at the W, Thompson, fairmont, Nobu, and other Shangri-La locations. Our experience here was exactly what I wanted. I planned to end our trip here so it would be on a high note and I was not disappointed. We had a couple minor issues with our stay but the Shangri-La handled it the way I would expect an internationally renowned place to. The horizon lounge was worth every penny and more not just from what was offered but also the service. At a certain point a hotel is just a place to sleep in, it’s the service that really sets them apart and I was not disappointed. It’s not a question of if but rather when I’ll be back and I plan to be here on an annual basis. If you’re on the fence about spending more to stay here compared to the more established places, I’d say this is your sign to just do it. You aren’t going to regret being in the horizon lounge. Personally I felt super safe here and if my family were to return before I do, I know they’ll be in good hands and I don’t need to worry. Yes I experienced the lobby bar, central, pool, gym, and capital bar and I can say everything was impeccable.

The dinner buffet is so good. The staff is so friendly they help to find the ingredients of foods. Sushi’s are my favorite thing in this buffet. It’s so yummy! All the cuisines are delicious and the food is making high quality skills. The chocolate fountain makes the funniest part of the buffet. And the dessert corner is so pretty.

For a luxury brand hotel, Shangri-La Colombo falls disappointingly short of five-star standards, particularly in housekeeping and service consistency.||Location: Excellent central location with beach access and adjacent shopping mall. This is the hotel's strongest point.||Rooms: Modern, well-decorated, and comfortable. The physical space meets expectations for this category.||Service: Inconsistent and below standard. Turn-down service appeared randomly – only twice during our four-night stay. Basic amenities weren't automatically replenished; we had to request shower gel replacements and toilet paper were not automatically replenished. When I called for shower gel, it took over 40 minutes to arrive. By day three, housekeeping seemed rushed with towels and supplies only partially replaced.||Amenities Issues: The hotel seems to ration towels bizarrely. No bath mats provided unless specifically requested, and when we got bath mats, hand towels would disappear. The spa changing room also lacked adequate towels. These basics should be standard in any five-star property. Shangri la Colombo seems to be on a ration.||Staff: Front desk staff were noticeably unfriendly and unwelcoming. The only genuinely pleasant interactions were with the pool attendants who were consistently helpful. Concierge was also very efficient and helpful.||Food: Standard hotel buffet at the restaurant – adequate but unremarkable.||Value: Poor value for a five-star property given the service lapses.||Overall: While the location and rooms are good, the housekeeping department needs serious retraining. The lack of basic amenities like bath mats, shower gels and consistent towel supply is unacceptable at this price point. Shangri-La's reputation deserves better execution.

Definitely the most complete hotel in Colombo. The service pretty much exceeds that of any Ritz-Carlton we have stayed at across the US. The food is top notch – we always ordered room service. The spa services are of very poor quality, though – but I understand it’s because this is a city hotel and not a resort. Apparently, the property is new, and the rooms and amenities are of great quality. Of course the views are great too. Overall, I will still give 5 stars considering the overall quality of the stay.

Think this just may be the best thing about Colombo. World-class facilities, service, and decor! We loved loved loved our stay here and felt like royalty from check in to check out. Ultra luxurious and truly the best hotel in Colombo.