SriLankan’s flagship Serindib lounge in Colombo is the best lounge at Bandaranaike International Airport and worth a visit if you’re hungry before your flight or need reliable wi-fi.
I stepped in just to check it out, but wish I would have stayed–it is far better than the Araliya Business Class Lounge designated for use by Qatar Airways.
> Read More: Review: Qatar Airways A340 Business Class Colombo to Doha
Internet tends to be my primary concern when visiting a lounge and it was much faster in this lounge than the in others or using the airport’s wi-fi network.
Interestingly, I was one of the only passengers in the lounge during my visit. That meant I received a lot of personal attention. It made taking pictures a bit awkward, but the staff tried to be very helpful.
I had finished a big breakfast at the Hilton Colombo and the look of disappointment was visible on the face of the lounge agents when I refused to eat anything. Attempts to ensure them that the food looked lovely but I just wasn’t hungry seemed to fall on deaf ears.
But the food actually looked good. In addition to local food, curries, and biriyani there was a wide selection of western food as well and a decent food and beverage selection. A separate bar was available and well-stocked.
The lounge has showers as well, but with two agents following me around, I felt to self-conscious to ask for a key only to take a photo.
Here’s some pictures from the lounge–
Note there is another SriLankan lounge as well, called the Serenediva Lounge, which I did not visit. My understanding is that the Serenediva lounge is intended for more regional traffic while the Serendib lounge is for longhaul flights.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the lounge receives my seal of approval. It’s a bit dated in terms of decor, but comfortable with good food and wi-fi.
Spent 6,5 hours there a few months ago flying MLE-CMB-HKG-JFK (UL-CX-CX). It was a very solid lounge, and the food was EXCELLENT. So pleasantly surprised by the lounge. Especially valuable lounge since CMB is generally a spectacularly pitiful airport otherwise. Also managed to get a couple hour nap in their relaxation room.
Who has access to this lounge? Any business class passenger? Priority Pass?
It certainly looks very respectable.
It is a oneworld / SriLankan business class lounge.
Thanks!
Enjoyed the reading. One of the benefit as an One World Passenger. My point of view same as you mentioned. Seems you have done a perfect photoshoot without any disturbance.
Serendib lounge is not accessible to One World Emerald frequent flyers if they are flying economy. Those flyers need to use the Serenediva lounge on the second floor. The Serenediva lounge is pretty dire. About 30 uncomfortable seats and all tuxked away in a back corner of the airport. It’s probably not worth the bike there unless you have a few hours to kill or want an average free feed.
On an eight hour layover.in business (UL-QR) can I access this lounge upon arrival and leave for one hour to access the Cargill in departure area?
Can I leave on-board luggage for the one hour and retrieve it before the connecting flight?
Thank you.
Yes, should not be an issue.
If I’m arriving Qatar Business from London via Doha and catching a SriLankan flight to Male in Economy can I use this lounge?