Last year, when we took a trip around Colombo for our Christmas round-up, it was done with the absolute belief that it would be the first and last time we’d be recording a mid-pandemic Christmas. Unfortunately, we’ve all come to accept a different reality, now that 2022 is fast approaching. Covid likely isn’t going anywhere soon, so we just have to live with it.
Keeping this in mind, the major city hotels in Colombo all appeared to have the same thought in mind – they all wished to spread a little holiday cheer, despite the gloomy past year we experienced. The city hotels were all dressed up to the nines, with totally decked out lobbies and stunning Christmas trees. Thanks to these hotels and their wonderfully festive decorations, a drive around Colombo is sure to shower you with enough holiday cheer to last the rest of the year.
Shangri-La Colombo
We’ve come to expect quite a lot from Shangri-La when it comes to holiday decorations. Considering their central location and very significant presence in the middle of the hotel circuit, they’ve had to cover quite a lot of ground.
Not to shy away from a challenge, the hotel had done its best, as usual, with the lights going up in early December and the Christmas trees getting lit up. The stunning LED peacocks we’ve come to associate the hotel with also made an appearance this year; located at the entrance, they were as eye-catching as ever.
Shangri-La is also hosting Christmas feasts in their multiple flagship restaurants, and you can be sure to hear the music flow all throughout the hotel, especially the lobby where live lounge music is very present.
Cinnamon Grand
Cinnamon Grand Colombo had opted to keep things slightly understated this year, using some of the more familiar decorations which have come to be pretty synonymous with the hotel. Sticking to their traditional blue and silver motif, the lobby and the famous fountain area were adorned with their customary blue and silver décor.
Despite the familiar theme, the décor and colour choices were striking all the same and are certainly worth checking out, as Cinnamon Grand has come to be known for their creative twists and efforts when it comes to their festive décor, with the staff notably getting involved in the planning process in the past, the enthusiasm shining through in the end result.
The Kingsbury
The Kingsbury had clearly opted to keep things as grand as possible, with their majestic looking choice of Christmas trees adorning the full stretch of the hotel. If you can recall The Kingsbury holiday décor in the past, the hotel has always chosen to stick to a certain colour theme. However, this year, they have opted to diversify their decorations.
The hotel has transformed into a holiday-themed Instagram filter, ideal for that perfect holiday gram. If you are looking to capture a festive image to brighten up your feed, then maybe you should drop by The Kingsbury for that pic. The diversity in décor really will make your visit well worth it.
Cinnamon Lakeside
Cinnamon Lakeside appears to have gone with a white and gold Christmas this year, with largely white decorations complete with golden adornments brightening up the look.
As you would expect, the entryway to the hotel is lit up to the sky, absolutely dazzling with its bright lights – your drive up to the entrance will be mesmerising. As is usual, the hotel transformed itself into a wonderland of sorts, with a dusting of bright lights taking the role of snowfall on treetops.
Lakeside is one of the more flashy presentations contributing quite a bit to the overall look of its neighbourhood, brightening up the whole block, a gorgeous site for anyone passing by.
Taj Samudra, Colombo
Taj Samudra has gone with the traditional red and green, and nothing can be said about it but that it is beautiful and classic. The hotel, sticking to its straight-arrow ways, preferring a more traditional look, has chosen to keep things simple in concept but explosive in presentation.
Keeping things classy and elegant with a splash of colour all around, Taj has really outdone themselves this year. Adding a bit of fun to the mix, they had even set up some structures – abstract-looking Christmas figures, geometric Santa Claus, snowmen, reindeer, and gigantic gifts wrapped with bows amidst adorable red felt structures with bright red carpeting and bright lights inside and out.
Hilton Colombo
Hilton Colombo is covered in bright Christmas red this year, with unique décor choices all throughout the hotel. Adorable gift-wrapped boxes with green Christmas trees poking out, the decorations were certainly fresh and not what you’d expect.
Of course, they had their famous home for Christmas red bus, and their carollers all dressed up in red. It’s not customary for us to mention food on our décor round-up, but we simply have to make note of the Hilton Colombo’s iconic eggnog, just because it is pretty legendary and you must try it, given the chance.
It’s also important to note that with their newly launched poolside restaurant SunsetBlu, they’re going all out with something to prove, so you can be sure to have a good time for the holidays if you head on over to Hilton.
Christmas never really fails to cheer everyone up and even if you don’t particularly love the holidays or are not all that excited about celebrating Christmas or the coming New Year, at the very least, you can enjoy the pleasing aesthetic beauty of it all.
2021 probably wasn’t the best year for everyone, or maybe it was; either way, you can be sure that with the new advancements in medicine and what we are learning about the coronavirus every day, next year is sure to be a million times better. So, hoping for the best, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
