The ambience at the Colombo Courtyard is inimitable. It exudes a certain character that makes it stand apart as a contemporary urban boutique hotel. Situated in Colombo amidst the piercing sounds of daily activity, the Colombo Courtyard is cloaked in imaginative yet inspired creativity. The theme that emanates throughout this boutique hotel is simplistic elegance and comfort.
Words Jennifer Paldano Goonewardane Photographs Indika De Silva
The décor is evidently very modern with images of the oft seen ‘Colombo’ crow made of scrap metal placed at prominent places in the hotel, which is intensified by the very conspicuous ‘metal’ creeper that winds its way through the many decks of the hotel to its roof top. The very large image of a crow made of scrap metal standing besides the swimming pool is contrasted by the lusciously green bamboo groves and trees surrounding it. The sight and sound of water bring out a sense of ease and leisure tinged with attention to open spaces that suggest freedom.
The 32 rooms including 15 suites bear unique interiors highlighted by bold colours and emphasis on creating space. The hotel could be best described as a home away from home. “We are committed to accommodate all the needs of our guests, which is what luxury is all about. Our services will guarantee a complete feeling of ‘wow’ by demonstrating a difference,” said Nishan Moonesinghe, Chief Executive Officer of Colombo Courtyard. He emphasised the importance of client feedback as a mechanism essential for continuous improvement. Colombo Courtyard has a mixed clientele from across Europe and Asia who are largely business travellers; nearly 45 percent of them being British. According to Nishan, the Sri Lankan breakfast with the delightful ‘rottis’ ‘milk rice’ ‘string hoppers’ and their spicy accompaniments have been a favourite among foreign guests.
The restaurants at Colombo Courtyard have been styled to showcase distinctiveness. Still, their interiors have been made alike to radiate a feeling of comfort and relaxation, while allowing a view of the busy street below. The Scarlet Room restaurant serves a global cuisine with Mediterranean specialties and is ideal for business lunches and even for an evening of unwinding experience with family and friends. Scarlet Room will soon introduce an authentic Italian menu.
Be treated to the expansive skyline by night while being caressed by wisps of fresh air at the Cloud Café. This roof-top restaurant exudes nothing but a feeling of total rapture as guests are treated to pizzas and beverages. Cloud Café has also introduced movie nights for the weekend for their guests.
The Loft Lounge Bar is another retreat of creativity with recyclable materials. Tractor seats as stools and hospital beds as lounge seats are accentuated by the lighting and music. The Loft Lounge Bar is an ideal jaunt to whoop it up over the weekend with revelry. The wine cellar at Grape Expectations, the wine lounge, allows a choice of wines from around the world. It is yet another warm and comfortable space at the Colombo Courtyard, with the perfect setting to savour the finest of wines in the company of friends and business associates. The weekend brunch menu will certainly appeal to the busy urbanites desiring a day off to enjoy a dip in the pool over some delectable food items.
Colombo Courtyard intends to revamp the entire check-in experience of its guests. The idea is to allow guests to check-in into their rooms right away upon arrival with a guest service agent merely scanning the travel documents and credit card details for verification. The Colombo Courtyard will be unveiling new facilities such as the Amber Spa with masseurs from Bali and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. The spa will offer a range of relaxing and holistic massages including the invigorating hot stone massage. According to its CEO, his key objective is to ensure that the Colombo Courtyard stamps its name as a brand on the atlas of hotels in Colombo.
Colombo Courtyard is an ‘oasis in the city’ he says. One is bound to agree given the cosmopolitan and commercial surroundings of the hotel that belie the existence of a retreat that fuses modernity with uncomplicated charm.
32 Alfred House Avenue, Colombo 3
Tel: (+94 11) 464 5333
colombocourtyard.com
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