Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka
My last hotel visit after a week in the lush green countryside of Sri Lanka was the opulent Taj Samudra in the capital, Colombo.
Built in royal Rajasthani style, the Taj rises out of 11 acres of landscaped gardens facing the historical Galle Face Green on the waterfront with a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean; about 20 miles’ drive from the airport.
The Taj is close to Colombo’s business hub and a short stroll to the city centre; it sports a dedicated business centre, shopping arcade, beauty salon with hairdresser; swimming pool, fitness centre, floodlit tennis courts, and air-conditioned squash court.
In Colombo itself, there are several historic churches, including The Garrison Church of St Peter. It is well worth visiting the Hindu Ganeshan, Gangaramaya on the Beira Lake and Vajiramaya and almost mandatory to visit the famed Dalada Maligava (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy, a two hours’ drive from Colombo.
Lotus flowers, Temple of the Tooth, Kandy - Vidubo©2009
The mountains of lotus, jasmine and frangipani flowers at the Temple of the Buddha’s Tooth are quite amazing but be prepared to get your feet dirty; and do visit the Pinnawala elephant orphanage along the way.
The Taj Samudra offers 301 air-conditioned rooms and 30 suites, ranging from executive to luxury and presidential; the executive floors offer continental breakfasts and extra amenities, such as board room access.
All rooms are ensuite and equipped with flat-screen satellite TV, tea and coffee making facilities and broadband access. Incidentally, several English-speaking TV channels are available.
There was a slight glitch when I was put in the wrong room but staff quickly resolved this and gave me a room with wonderful views over the gardens and sea.
Taj Samudra - Bedroom 303 - Colombo, Sri Lanka - Vidubo©2009
With a fiery red dominating the decor, my room at the Taj had a lively but comfortable feel, and I spent a couple of hours watching the marvellous views before hunger - and impending departure at 5.30 am - spurred me on to find local food within the hotel.
There are several restaurants at the Taj - Chinese, International, Grill Room and Indian - plus a lounge with fine coffees and a high tea service; and several bars.
The Duty Manager pointed towards an external corridor, when I asked where to eat; the scent of crimson frangipanis wafted in on the warm breeze.
Heading for the Grill Room, instead I found Navratna, where I initially supposed Sri Lankan foodmight be had. In fact, I should have gone to Ports with food from seven different ports, including Sri Lanka.
Indian Navratna Restaurant, Taj Samudra, Colombo - Vidubo©2009
Once I was seated, however, and read the huge menu in the candlelight, I discovered the food at Navratna was traditional Indian. At one end of the restaurant, a trio played love songs on mandolin, guitar, tabla and dulki.
For the first course, I nibbled on light, crisp vegetable paratha and ate a darkly rich mutton and spinach dish as the main course. This was as good as it gets. I then succumbed to a gulab dessert before retreating to pack my bag for London.
I ordered a ‘breakfast pack’ and bathed before climbing into my huge bed. The pillows were heavenly - the best I’d come across in Sri Lanka - and I fell asleep quickly. In a flash, it was five; just time to cram leftover items into my groaning bag.
As the Taj breakfast pack (fruit, croissant and cheese sandwich) didn’t come until 5.20am, and we were running late on leaving the hotel, I gave it to my driver.
Later, I had a superb breakfast on Kingfisher, a well-known Indian airline. Kingfisher has just begun flying into London to Colombo via Bangalore and the service is as cheerful as the red uniforms they wear.
A superior room at The Taj Samudra with breakfast and dinner costs approximately £55 pppn with a room only for about £47 pppn.
- Taj Samudra Hotel, 25 Galle Face Centre Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka
Tel. +94-11-2446622 or visit the website.
- Sri Lanka by arrangement with Senses Holiday.
Click here for more information.
