Mount Lavinia Hotel 

A clifftop heritage retreat 

Steeped in history, this hotel is on a stunning promontory overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Mount Lavinia is known for its colonial charm, amazing location and 210-year-plus history. Based around what was once the home of successive British governors – complete with a secret tunnel that a former occupant used when heading off on romantic trysts – it overlooks a stretch of private beach and offers an old-world feel and good service. With its relatively close proximity to the airport and the city, the hotel is a good base to explore from.

Why we love Mount Lavinia Hotel

  • The original building has such a long and intriguing history that the hotel offers a guided tour so you can learn all about it

  • It’s in a coastal town south of Colombo, but close enough to the centre to make it a great base for exploring the capital

  • Dining options include the colonial style Governor’s Restaurant and the Terrace overlooking the ocean.

  • The in-house shopping arcade is a handy place to pick up some last-minute souvenirs before you head home

3.5 stars
Dec - Mar
Colombo 10½ hours
On a stunning promontory overlooking the Indian Ocean, 30 minutes from Colombo
Approx. 1½ hours by road from Colombo airport

Rooms

Facilities

  • Restaurants & bars
  • Board
  • Spas & wellness
  • Sustainability
  • Good to Know

With three very different restaurants, dining at Mount Lavinia provides plenty of variety.

Governor’s Restaurant
The resort’s all-day main restaurant offers a colonial-era setting for breakfast, lunch and themed dinner buffets featuring dishes from near and far.  À la carte options are also available.

The Terrace
Beside the pool, The Terrace has an international menu that covers the ground from Sri Lankan fish buns to pizza and fish and chips.

Lobby Lounge & Bar
Relax with coffee or something stronger and a snack at this spacious bar with views of the sea, which is open from early until late.

The Baywatch Tower which overlooks the beach is a memorable setting for a very private dinner for two.

Whats Included

Breakfast at the Governor's restaurant.

Upgrade Options

Half Board • Breakfast and dinner at the Governor's restaurant
Full Board • Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Governor's restaurant.

CocoSpa’s expertly trained Balinese therapists offer an appealing range of treatments using natural products made in Sri Lanka. There are massages of all kinds from Swedish to Ayurvedic, and a skin-soothing offering involving lavender, honey, cucumber and aloe vera that’s perfect if you’ve caught the sun.

There’s a modern gym that’s fully equipped with free weights, treadmills and exercise machines, or you can head to the beach for a game of volleyball.

Energy-saving measures include increasing the temperature at which the air-conditioning automatically turns on. The hotel makes its own natural pesticides for the gardens using leftover soap from the guest rooms and local neem oil. Ingredients for the kitchen are bought from local suppliers in bulk where possible to reduce the amount of packaging. It operates a pre-school for low-income families from the neighbouring fishing communities.

Compulsory Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve gala dinners, supplements apply.

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