Independence Memorial Hall

I only managed to stay one night at De Saram House, which is a shame as I really liked the property. Admittedly it was initially somewhat hard to find it, but once you are inside, it is so calm and picturesque that it feels like an oasis from bustling Colombo. I have attached a bunch of photos to showcase the serenity of the place. Location-wise it is also excellent, being in a quieter neighborhood that is in walking distance from very nice cafes such as Caramel Pumpkin and Seed Cafe and restaurants such as Upali's. Room-wise it is large, quiet and well-appointed, though do not expect 5-star facilities such as phone in your room or a small fridge. Which leads to my main comment - despite its luxurious look, this is very much a small establishment run by just 2 staff members. It is not a 5-star hotel with expected services such as food and drinks available and staff service all day long. Price-wise it is also not the level of a 5-star hotel so those expectations are flawed from the start. Instead, what you get is a super beautiful estate and a well-appointed and quiet room, led by very kind staff members who try their best to help. I did have some initial wifi issues but they were resolved. Anthony was the person who attended to me at De Saram House, and he was professional, courteous and helpful - even when I had to check out a 4:45am to catch my flight. So if you know what to expect going in, this could be the perfect stay for you in Colombo .

Good and pleasant service

Great location for being in the capital but the rooms were small and the suite was not in a 5 star condition. Views are of rooftops or buildings. Very noisy with music playing till 10.30pm at the honey club. Great selection for breakfast. They didn’t provide hand wash/soap in the room despite asking several times. Basic lack of understanding made it difficult.