The hype
Great location and friendly staff, but the 'luxury' label is a bit of a stretch.
Mandarina Colombo
$50-100 / night
Book this if You want a modern, affordable base in the heart of Colombo with a killer rooftop infinity pool and excellent Indian food.
Why People Love It
- Glass-topped rooftop infinity pool
- Walking distance to Marino Mall and local eateries
- Exceptional breakfast buffet with authentic Indian cuisine
Quick Take: It markets itself as a 5-star luxury retreat, but it's really a solid, well-run 3.5-star business hotel with some street noise issues.
Reviewed by @vinoja.bandara: I loved my stay at Mandarina Colombo! The room was super modern, the king bed was a dream, and having my morning coffee while looking out at the ocean was the best. Just a heads up, ask for a higher floor to avoid the construction view!
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The rooftop pool and restaurant are great, but they generate noise for the rooms directly below them, and the street traffic is loud.
- You want to be walking distance to shopping and casinos
- You love a good breakfast buffet
- You need a reliable business hotel with fast Wi-Fi
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8.5
- Housekeeping: Daily cleaning is thorough, and staff are consistently praised for keeping rooms spotless.
- Bathroom hygiene: Modern bathrooms with rainfall showers are kept pristine, with no major complaints of mold or grime.
- Maintenance: Generally well-maintained interiors, though a few guests noted peeling paint on the building's exterior.
- Linens & towels: Fresh, clean, and comfortable, though some beds use a plastic mattress protector that can be noisy.
- Odors & scents: Fresh and clean; no major complaints of mustiness or smoke.
Sleepability™
6.5MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Galle Road traffic on lower floors
- Rooftop restaurant and pool noise for top-floor rooms
- Ambient hallway music starting at 5:30 AM
Before you book
Good to know
- Breakfast is usually an extra $10 for adults if not included in your rate.
- The hotel is 'dry' in some public areas, but check current policies.
- Uber is significantly cheaper than the tuk-tuks waiting outside the hotel.
What to pack
- Earplugs or a white noise machine to drown out Galle Road traffic.
- A universal power adapter (Sri Lanka uses Type D/G, though the hotel provides some).
Room Genie
Best picks
- Deluxe Double Room with Balcony on a mid-to-high floor (away from the rooftop but above the street noise)
Rooms to avoid
- Rooms on the top floor directly below 'On the Eleventh' restaurant
- Lower floor rooms facing Galle Road
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“Hi team, I'm a light sleeper. Could I please request a quiet room on a middle floor that does not face Galle Road, and is not directly underneath the rooftop restaurant? Thank you!”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the rooftop pool heated?
No, it's a standard outdoor infinity pool, but Colombo's tropical weather means the water is usually perfectly warm.
Does the hotel provide airport transfers?
Yes, they offer a 24/7 shuttle for a flat fee of $50 one-way, though ride-hailing apps might be cheaper.
Is breakfast included?
It depends on the rate you book. If it's not included, the buffet costs around $10 for adults and is highly rated.
Can I walk to the beach?
You can see the ocean from the hotel, but you can't easily swim there. You're better off taking a short ride to Galle Face Green.
Is there free parking?
Yes, the hotel offers both free self-parking and free valet parking, which is a huge perk in this busy neighborhood.
Are there hidden resort fees?
No hidden resort fees, but be aware that early check-in and late check-out will cost you extra if not negotiated.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Don't take the tuk-tuks parked directly outside the hotel—they heavily mark up prices. Download the PickMe or Uber app instead.
- ✨
If you want authentic local food, skip the hotel dinner and walk 3 minutes to Hotel De Pilawoos for late-night kottu roti.
- ✨
If you arrive early, be polite at the front desk—they are known to waive early check-in fees and offer free juice if your room is ready.
5 things to know before you go
💡The infinity pool is glass-topped, making for some very cool underwater photos.
💡The hotel plays ambient lounge music in the hallways, which some guests report starts aggressively early at 5:30 AM.
💡Despite the 'ocean views' marketing, other buildings partially block the sea from lower floors.
💡Some beds have a plastic mattress protector under the sheets that crinkles loudly when you move.
💡The dinner buffet can be a ghost town if you eat early; the restaurant doesn't really get going until after 7:00 PM.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Mandarina Colombo is located and what's nearby.