Experienced a lavish, immersive exploration of two opulent properties in Sri Lanka

In the heart of Sri Lanka, a country known for its mythology, culture, and natural beauty, lies an unforgettable journey through two distinct Shangri-La experiences.

First, we find ourselves in Colombo, the city that seamlessly blends different cultures and identities, reminiscent of New York, London, and traditional Sri Lankan architecture. Here, the Shangri-La Hotel offers a luxurious stay with high ceilings, chandeliers, and a colossal lobby, all while providing warm hospitality.

The hotel houses 541 spacious rooms, suites, and serviced apartments, each offering stunning views, such as the lake and the Lotus Tower. The amenities are extensive, including a spectacular pool area on the 4th floor with sunset views, comfortable large beds, and elegant bathrooms. Dining options are broad, with an acclaimed breakfast buffet, and the hotel provides excellent customer service, a convenient 24-hour bar, and easy access to city sights via tuk-tuks or hotel cars.

Just a stone's throw away from the bustling city, the journey to Shangri-La Colombo feels like entering nature's lap, with wide, clean, and smooth roads surrounded by lush greenery. The resort offers recreational activities such as table tennis, pool, air hockey, a 7-metre-high trapeze swing, archery, and an 18-hole golf course. For those seeking relaxation, the resort's ayurvedic spa offers 12 cottage-like treatment rooms surrounded by streams of water, lilies, and turtles.

As the sun sets, the ocean-facing balcony in the room becomes the perfect place to unwind with a book after a long day. The resort also boasts a private beach with reddish-black sand, a result of the Indian Ocean being heavy in iron.

After a few days immersed in Colombo's urban luxury, we ventured to Shangri-La Hambantota, a resort set on a 53-acre beachfront estate surrounded by tropical gardens. The resort offers 279 guestrooms and 21 suites designed to reflect the natural beauty and local culture, with views ranging from gardens to the Indian Ocean.

At Shangri-La Hambantota, the focus shifts from city life to nature, outdoor recreation, cultural immersion, and beachfront relaxation. The resort amenities are extensive, including three swimming pools (including a kids' splash park with slides and fountains), a full 18-hole golf course, beach volleyball, hiking, sauna, an expansive CHI Spa, a health club, artisan village showcasing local crafts, and multiple restaurants and lounges.

Dining features authentic Sri Lankan cuisine at the Bojun Hala all-day dining restaurant among others. Services include 24-hour room service, concierge, children’s programs, water sports equipment, and airport limousine service.

Watching deer, monkeys, leopards, elephants, crocodiles, and thousands of bird species coexist in Yala National Park, just a short drive from Shangri-La Hambantota, was a humbling experience. The resort packages start at INR 10,400, making it an affordable luxury for many.

In conclusion, the Shangri-La experience in Colombo and Hambantota, Sri Lanka, offers luxurious accommodations, excellent dining, spa services, and a variety of activities, but with distinct local flavors and settings. Whether you're seeking a cosmopolitan urban luxury experience with easy city access and expansive shopping/dining options, or a large resort focused on nature, outdoor recreation, cultural immersion, and beachfront relaxation with numerous family-friendly amenities and extensive wellness facilities, the Shangri-La properties in Sri Lanka have you covered.

The Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo, with its luxurious rooms and warm hospitality, hosts a variety of dining options, providing acclaimed breakfast buffets and excellent customer service.
The journey from Colombo to Shangri-La Hambantota, surrounded by tropical gardens, offers a shift in focus from city life to nature, outdoor recreation, cultural immersion, and beachfront relaxation.
Shangri-La Hambantota features numerous amenities, including restaurants offering authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, an expansive CHI Spa, and an artisan village showcasing local crafts.
The Shangri-La experience in Sri Lanka combines luxurious accommodations, rich culture, stunning landscapes, and diverse wildlife, making it an unforgettable journey.

Experienced a lavish, immersive exploration of two opulent properties in Sri Lanka