After staying in Sigiriya and Trincomalee, Colombo was the final stop of our short Sri Lanka trip in 2026. For our stay in the capital, we found a charming 10-room boutique hotel tucked away in a quiet corner of Kollupitiya.
Part of the Nyne Hotels collection, which operates several boutique properties across Sri Lanka, we spent two nights at Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge Colombo.
If you're wondering whether Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge is worth staying at, here's my honest review after spending two nights at the property.
๐ก Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? Start here:
- Sri Lanka Travel for 8 Days in May 2026
- Sri Lanka ETA Application Guide: How to Apply Online for a Tourist Visa
- Pidurangala Rock Hiking Guide: Sunrise Hike for the Best Sigiriya Rock View
- Hurulu Eco Park Elephant Safari in Sri Lanka: Wild Asian Elephant Experience
- 4 Days in Trincomalee: Things We Did, Saw & Ate in Sri Lanka's East Coast
- Sri Lanka Travel Cost Breakdown: How Much We Spent for 8 Days in 2026
Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge Location in Colombo:
Located on a quiet residential street in Kollupitiya, Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge felt like a peaceful escape from the busy streets of Colombo. Despite its tucked-away location, many of the city's attractions, restaurants, and shopping areas are still within easy reach.
One of the things we liked most about the hotel was its proximity to Beira Lake, which is only a short walk away. From here, you can visit attractions such as Seema Malaka Temple and Gangaramaya Temple, or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll around the lake.
Across the lake is Colombo City Centre Mall, where you'll find restaurants, cafรฉs, supermarkets, and a few souvenir shops. We also discovered Park Street, another popular area in Colombo with casual and fancy restaurants and bars, which is only about a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
If you're planning to visit attractions such as Galle Face Green, Colombo Lotus Tower, Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque), or Independence Square, tuk-tuks are easy to book through the PickMe app and relatively affordable.
Location Highlights
- Short walk to Beira Lake, Seema Malaka Temple, and Gangaramaya Temple
- Around 10 minutes on foot to Park Street restaurants and cafรฉs
- Easy access to Colombo City Centre Mall
- Quiet location away from Colombo's busiest roads
- Convenient PickMe and tuk-tuk access to major attractions
- Several cafรฉs, restaurants, and convenience stores nearby
During our stay, we spent our first evening simply walking around the neighborhood. Coincidentally, we were visiting during Vesak, one of the most important Buddhist celebrations in Sri Lanka. The streets were decorated with lanterns, while colorful illuminated pandals lit up different parts of the city.
After our walk, we headed to Park Street and treated ourselves to a fancy dinner at Aqua Pizza, which ended up being one of our favorite meals during the trip.
Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge Hotel Room:
We booked the Superior King Room for our two-night stay, and overall, it was cozy, comfortable, and more than sufficient for what we needed in Colombo.
The design follows the same minimalist style found throughout the hotel, with white walls, dark wood furniture, and just enough dรฉcor to make the space feel warm without being overwhelming.
There's also a small corner for our backpacks and clothes, where we spread out the backpack after unpacking.
The bathroom followed the same polished concrete and dark wood aesthetic found throughout the property. For some reason, the combination created a calm and cooling atmosphere, which felt especially refreshing after spending time outdoors in Sri Lanka's heat.
Also, compared to the other hotels we've been to in Sri Lanka, our room in Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge in Colombo felt the most luxurious, at least to my taste, and very much aligned with its boutique character.
Facilities at Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge in Colombo:
Since Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge is a small boutique property with only 10 rooms, the property revolves around a beautiful central courtyard, a thoughtfully designed lounge area, and an acclaimed on-site restaurant.
Although relatively compact, the hotel makes excellent use of its space. The property features a small reception area, a stylish restaurant, and several inviting common spaces decorated with contemporary artwork and minimalist furnishings.
The hotel's design combines polished concrete, dark wood furniture, and curated local artwork, creating a modern boutique feel throughout the property. While there are no extensive resort-style facilities, the intimate setting contributes to the hotel's relaxed and tranquil character.
The Grand Staircase
One feature that immediately caught my attention was the grand staircase at the center of the building.
It reminded me of the large staircases often found in old ancestral houses in the Philippines. It might sound like a small detail, but I found it to be one of the most charming architectural features of the property.
Reception & Lounge Area
Although there is a small traditional reception counter at the property, the General Manager welcomed us in the lounge area and personally handled our check-in. It felt more like being welcomed into someone's home rather than arriving at a hotel.
To my surprise (and pure delight!), he even offered us ice cream sticks as a welcome treat. I had to ask whether it was because of the Vesak celebrations, as we had already seen several community stalls offering free ice cream during our journey from Trincomalee to Colombo.
With its open design, natural light, and minimalist interiors, the space felt more like a private home than a traditional city hotel. After staying at People Hostel in Bishkek, this was another place that reminded me of a dream I've carried for years, to one day open a small hostel or boutique hotel of my own. Every corner seemed to offer a lesson in hospitality, and I couldn't help but mentally bookmark the atmosphere, design choices, and guest experience as inspiration for that future dream.
Table by Nyne Restaurant
One of my favorite areas was the bright dining pavilion and the hotel's only restaurant called Table by Nyne. Calling it "just a hotel restaurant" wouldn't be fair. I heard it is one of Colombo's well-known fine dining restaurants and serves breakfast for hotel guests as well as lunch and dinner for outside visitors.
Surrounded by large windows and lush greenery, it felt more like a private garden conservatory than a typical hotel restaurant. The abundance of natural light and peaceful atmosphere made it a pleasant place to start the day. This is where we had our daily breakfast and where we chose to spend our final evening in Sri Lanka before flying home.
I don't know if my wallet or my appetite is fully accustomed to fine dining restaurants, but I enjoyed the experience. The food, service, and atmosphere made it feel like a memorable way to end our Sri Lanka trip.
Hotel Cost: What You Can Expect
We booked Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge through Booking.com and paid USD 179.69 (AED 680.71 / approximately LKR 61,000+ depending on the exchange rate) for our two-night stay in a Superior Room during our May 2026 trip.
Unlike many hotels where payment is settled during check-in or check-out, we were required to make a full pre-payment directly to the hotel one day before our arrival.
The rate included breakfast during our stay. Since we had an early morning flight on our departure day, the hotel thoughtfully prepared a takeaway breakfast for us instead. In fact, they were the ones who suggested it after learning about our flight schedule during check-in and made sure everything was ready before we left for the airport.
It's a small gesture, but it was one of those details that made our stay feel genuinely personalized.
While Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge is slightly more expensive than some of the other accommodations we considered in Colombo, I felt that the overall experience justified the price. The property itself was comfortable and beautifully designed, but what stood out the most to me was the attentive service from the General Manager and the rest of the team.
I honestly can't remember the General Manager's name anymore (huhu sorry!), but I do remember him mentioning that he previously worked in Dubai's hospitality industry. Whether it was helping with our stay, arranging the takeaway breakfast, or simply making us feel welcome, the service felt warm, personal, and sincere throughout our visit.
Who Is This Hotel For?
Based on our experience, Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge is ideal for travelers who prefer a peaceful stay while remaining close to Colombo's main attractions.
I can easily imagine this boutique property being suitable for:
- Couples looking for a quiet and intimate boutique hotel instead of a large chain property
- Solo travelers who appreciate a calm atmosphere and easy access to the city
- Business travelers who want a comfortable stay in a central location without the crowds of bigger hotels
- Travelers seeking an urban retreat after a busy itinerary around Sri Lanka
- Food lovers interested in dining at the acclaimed Table by Nyne restaurant
On the other hand, if you're looking for resort-style facilities such as a swimming pool, gym, spa, or a lively social atmosphere, this hotel may not be the best fit for your travel style.
Overall Experience at the Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge in Colombo:
Overall, we really enjoyed our stay at Nyne Hotels Lake Lodge. Between the peaceful atmosphere, thoughtful design, and warm hospitality, it felt more like staying in a private residence than a typical city hotel.
While it was one of the more expensive accommodations during our Sri Lanka trip, I never regretted booking it. It was comfortable, relaxing, and a lovely place to spend our final days in Colombo before flying home.
Personally, I'll probably remember the little things mostโthe welcome ice cream, the takeaway breakfast, and the feeling of quietly gathering ideas for my future dream of owning a small hostel or boutique hotel someday.
