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Home » Reviews » Hotel Reviews » Review: Hilton Colombo
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Review: Hilton Colombo

Matthew Klint Posted onAugust 1, 2017November 14, 2023 3 Comments

a sign on the grass

We arrived late into Colombo and had a morning flight to Doha, which meant an airport hotel would have been ideal. Trouble is, Colombo doesn’t have any, at least not any worthy of a miles + points review. So we chose the Hilton Colombo in town.

The ride into town took 45 minutes via Uber. While surface streets tend to be packed in Colombo, the tolled highway from the airport into the city was empty. Uber is more expensive than a cab in Colombo.

I have Gold status with Hilton and Lucky has Diamond status. Upon check-in we were both upgraded to club level rooms and provided lounge access. Lucky received extra amenities in his room, but our rooms appeared identical. My room rate was $167 including taxes.

a building with palm trees and a sign

a parking garage with trees and buildings in the background

a group of people standing in a lobby

a group of people in a large room

a room with two chairs and a table

a hallway with a plant in the middle

a door with a bag on it

Hilton Colombo Guest Room

The room was dated, but clean. Most importantly, the bed was quite comfortable. I appreciated there was plenty of room to spread out including a large desk and couch. A tea kettle and minibar were available and a bathrobe was provided in the closet.

a bed with pillows and lamps in a hotel room

a hotel room with a bed and a couch

a room with a desk and a tv

a couch and lamp in a room

a counter with a tray of coffee cups and cups on it

The bathroom appeared especially dated, at least per my taste, but was well maintained. Unfortunately, the water pressure in the shower was terrible and surprisingly lukewarm considering it was sweltering hot outside.

a bathroom with a sink and toilet

a tray of toiletries and towels

a shower with a towel rack

View from my room:

a city with many buildings and a body of water

Hilton Colombo Lounge

We missed the evening spread (cocktails are served 6pm to 8:30pm), but the lounge was still open until 11pm. Desserts and drinks were available. The lounge is divided into two rooms, with one room primarily a seating area and the other room a buffet/bar.

a room with tables and chairs

a room with tables and chairs and a television

a glass case with objects on it

The following morning I headed up to the lounge early for a cappuccino to start the day. The breakfast spread was quite good in the lounge, though not nearly as comprehensive as the buffet downstairs.

a cup of coffee with a spoon on a saucer

View from the lounge:

Hilton Colombo Il Ponte (Italian) Restaurant

We were quite hungry after a forgettable meal on China Eastern. The hotel contains several restaurants and bars and we both felt like Italian. Thankfully, the hotel has a great Italian restaurant.

The outdoor restaurant was empty when we arrived, but crowded with locals and foreign guests by the time we left. The pizza truly hit the spot.

a building with a sign and plants

Hilton Colombo Breakfast

Breakfast is served in Graze Kitchen and has been remodeled since our stay last summer. I’d guess the food items are the same, but now served in a dining room with refreshed tile and stonework façades.

I enjoyed an omelet, crepe, and waffle for breakfast along with fresh fruits and juices and some yogurt.

a plate of food on a table

Hilton Colombo Bar

Here’s two pictures from the bar and lounge–we did not have any drinks during the visit.

a bar with stools and a counter

a room with chairs and tables

Hilton Colombo Pool + Fitness Center

The following morning before departing we took a quick look at the pool and fitness center. These amenities are located adjacent to the Italian restaurant across the street from the main hotel building. A pedestrian bridge above the road connects the two “wings” of the property. Tennis courts are also available.

a walkway in front of a building

a building with many windows

a group of people in a large room

a swimming pool with a metal railing

a pool with chairs and umbrellas in front of buildings

a group of exercise machines in a gym

CONCLUSION

While not the lap of luxury, I have no complaints about this hotel beyond the water pressure in the shower and slow internet. The property, though dated, is well-maintained and comfortable. A friend advised me to check out the Galle Face Hotel next time, but I would not hesitate to stay in the Hilton again.

a building with lights on it

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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3 Comments

  1. Rob Reply
    August 1, 2017 at 10:20 am

    I highly recommend the Galle Face Hotel as well. If you can find availability at a discounted rate (sub $200) even better. My wife and I stayed there on our first Qatar Business Class trip in February and it was wonderful. Especially entertaining were the men with slingshots keeping the blackbirds away from the outdoor porch breakfast buffet.

  2. MeanMeosh Reply
    August 1, 2017 at 11:20 am

    “The ride into town took 45 minutes via Uber. While surface streets tend to be packed in Colombo, the tolled highway from the airport into the city was empty. Uber is more expensive than a cab in Colombo.”

    In theory, at least, though in both India and Sri Lanka, that depends on how adept you are at negotiating away the Gringo Tax.

    The funny thing is, this hotel looks a LOT like the Hilton CDG, though I suppose that’s a testament to the consistency of the brand!

    • Matthew Reply
      August 1, 2017 at 1:35 pm

      Thankfully, Uber is cashless.

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