A beautiful house for a smart and stylish stay in the centre of the city!
– Saskia, visited in October 2019
Once the private home of one of Sri Lanka’s most famous political families, the Tintagel is a beautiful white-painted villa in the heart of Colombo 7 – also known as Cinnamon Gardens – the city’s most exclusive neighbourhood.
A sensitive restoration by Shanth Fernando of local design empire Paradise Road has created a luxurious, grown-up vibe, ideal for holidaymakers and business travellers alike.
The brand also boasts a beautiful beachfront property in Bentota – The Villa. Click here for our thoughts.
Perfect for…
Boutique chic
Luxury lodging
Rooms
Ten individually designed suites are set across two floors, ensuring guests have plenty of privacy. Polished dark wooden floors feature throughout, with characterful antique pieces and lavish four-poster beds topped with crisp cotton sheets and piles of pillows.
Soothing minimalist bathrooms with spacious rain showers are ideal for unwinding. Spoil yourself with bespoke Spa Ceylon toiletries and take a long candlelit soak in your big bathtub at the end of the day.
All rooms are equipped with tea- and coffee-making facilities, mini-fridges tastefully hidden inside vintage furniture, and large wardrobes with hanging space and concealed safes.
The ground-floor light blue and off-white Superior Suite boasts its own plunge pool, whilst the lavish Royal Suites – with separate living rooms – are named for the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who stayed in 2013. We took one of the Executive Suites, at the top of the old wooden staircase. Spacious and quiet, our cosy sitting area was perfect for sipping a cup of tea after a swim in the pool.
Drinking & dining
Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast on the courtyard terrace, feasting on fresh juice, tea and coffee, heaps of fruit and gorgeous Sri Lankan specialities. As is the case in most hotels here, orders for Sri Lankan breakfasts need to be placed the day before — but the egg hoppers are worth it!
The restaurant’s à la carte menu offers a broad range of delectable international dishes for lunch and dinner, and guests can dine either at lacquered tables in the black-and-white dining room or alfresco on the courtyard terrace.
Our personal highlight was the Red Bar, an ambient nook with an excellent selection of spirits, perfect for kicking off or winding down an evening on the town.
Facilities
Tintagel boasts one of the largest private art collections in Colombo, with works by locally-based Belgian artist Saskia Pintelon, and contemporary sculptor Chamila Gamage, amongst others.
If you can tear yourself away from the comfort of your suite, there are reclining areas aplenty here — from the armchairs in the beautiful library to the huge sofas of main sitting room. The covered terrace is also a lovely place to work or relax.
The compact central courtyard boasts a lap pool perfect for a cool-down or pre-breakfast lengths and guests also have access to a well equipped gym. Rejuvenating treatments are available in the Massage Room upon request.
Activities
One of the absolute highlights of Tintagel is the hotel’s fabulous location. Wander to yoga at Prana Lounge, pop to Black Cat for some cracking coffee, or stroll through Viharamahadevi Park. Nip to Urban Island for some shopping, to Gangarama Temple for an insight into Sri Lankan Buddhism, or grab a bite at the buzzing bars and eateries of Park Street Mews in the evening.
Paradise Road’s stylish flagship store is within walking distance (or a very brief trishaw ride) and the hotel offers guests a 10% discount on purchases made there – as if you needed an excuse to drop by!
The group also runs Paradise Road Gallery Café, in the converted offices of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most famous architect. Although further from Tintagel, this is a stunning spot for a drink, while regular exhibitions of work by local artists should intrigue and impress.
Things we love
• Smart, slick service and grown up style. This is a fun place to feel fancy.
• A very cool bar, great for getting into the groove of an evening.
• Brilliant location, within easy reach of some of our favourite spots in Colombo.
Things to note
• Whilst children are welcome, this feels like an adult hotel. The pool, for instance, is not set up for little ones.
When to visit
Colombo is a brilliant city to visit year-round, though the heat and humidity peak in April and May. The monsoon seasons are generally expected to fall in May – June and late-September – October – though they have shifted in recent years. Prepare yourself for the possibility of hiding inside galleries, cafés and restaurants as the rain pours!
Location & information
The journey from Bandaranaike International Airport to Tintagel takes just an hour by car.
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65 Rosmead Place,
Colombo
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