Review: Paradise Road Colombo Tintagel Hotel, Sri Lanka

Let’s get back to the hotel. The Paradise Road Colombo Tintagel was lovingly restored by Shanth Fernando giving it a contemporary look and feel while maintaining signature period features. The stately, solid staircase and decorative roof features are all swathed in the hotel’s signature ivory and black monochrome. First appearances feel luxurious with fresh flowers, a gleaming piano, a black leather-bound guest book and stone busts throughout. An oversized wooden horse divides the room into two seating areas. The dark classical mood is broken with earth tones, marble columns and modern art from local artists.

The library is stocked with over 500 red leather-bound books taking me back to my law school days. You could easily sit here quietly to work, read newspapers or sink in a gin and tonic made with local Colombo gin.

Paradise Road Colombo Tintagel’s period features including stately bookcases and oversized, dark staircases.

Paradise Road Colombo Tintagel’s maintenance does need some more work

Preserving the Paradise Road Colombo Tintagel cannot be easy: humidity, old architecture, constant rains. Old buildings do not easily stand the test of time. The glossy interior is beautifully maintained; however, the exterior could do with some tender loving care. Damp and mould are visible on the breakfast patio walls, inside the pale patio umbrellas and along with the exterior period features on the top floor. Nothing a quarterly Karcher water blast could not fix. It’s these details that seasoned boutique hotel visitors will notice with quiet derision. I suggest the management takes the opportunity (during quieter months) to slowly rectify these blemishes in what is otherwise a distinguished offering.

Paradise Road Colombo Tintagel’s, Executive Suite

Colombo Tintagel houses a mere TEN individual suites (so book early!). Our North West Executive Suite is dim and subdued. The goth black, molasses-like floors are accompanied by dark, classic antique furniture with brass fittings. The Suite oozes history and occasion yet the fixtures are assembled with a contemporary eye. The room’s main feature is the ivory-dressed four-poster bed draped in white sheer mosquito netting like a bridal veil.


Paradise Road Colombo Tintagel’s executive suites are spacious with impressive bathrooms

The en suite bathroom is decked in earth stone with his and her sinks, a rain shower and a generous bathtub. The Executive Suite is one of the smaller rooms but it is perfectly adequate for a couple for a week without getting on each other’s nerves (hopefully). Upgrades to the Royal Suite and Superior Suites are available.

The room includes a mini-bar, Bose stereo (with the now seriously old iPhone attachment), tea/coffee facilities and hairdryer, naturally.

Easily one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in at a hotel.

Paradise Road Colombo Tintagel, was everything perfect?

Converted older buildings are not without their limitations and practical hitches. Boutique hotels should be fastidious about details. Their guests often look for those touchpoints. A few things felt missing. I undertook an expedition to find any electrical sockets unoccupied by the room’s lamps and a flat-screen TV with no success. A discreet multi-plug extender would really help as travellers – like me – often wield multiple chargeable devices these days. Mrs EatGoSee noted there is only one luggage stand in what is obviously a colossal suite intended for more than one person. We used a desk instead for her enviable Steamline trunk.

Toiletries are unremarkable; I discovered a charming boutique shop across the road that sells handmade toiletries made with local ingredients. This would be an elegant addition to the rooms instead of generic gels. I can hear the deafening roar of eyes rolling. Yet regular boutique hotel patrons know the finer points are where higher prices (and word of mouth credit) are earned.

Paradise Road Colombo Tintagel’s facilities

A slender lap pool downstairs is overlooked by concrete sculptures. The gym is modest but sufficient for a quick, light workout. I was informed that massages and similar are available on sight but they need at least two hours’ notice. WiFi is complimentary, fast, reliable and consistent notwithstanding these thick walls, and even available outside during breakfast.


Paradise Road Colombo Tintagel’s outside breakfast seating area

Paradise Road Tintagel’s Food and Drink

A thorough review of The Dining Room restaurant is available here, but suffice to say it’s a convenient intimate space with superb service. It is suitable if, like us, you want a quick fill before collapsing for the evening. Yet the food feels dated. A classic boutique hotel with a top-notch restaurant is a powerful combination elevating the whole value proposition. There’s some work to be done. I am coming to enjoy the hotel; don’t give me a reason to leave, like finding a better meal.

The Red Bar

This dramatic snug bar regularly features as one of Colombo’s finest and with good reason. It exudes London private members bar without the pretentiousness and cigar-chomping. The crimson-stained walls and exposed concrete is muted by slate grey soft furnishings and warmed by a backlit bar. Think Interview With A Vampire pre-drinking speakeasy. Any minute a Dolce & Gabbana photoshoot will start in earnest. The cocktail list is met with nodding approval, especially the signature tamarind margarita. You can thank me later.

Breakfast

It is a la carte with the option of full English or Sri Lankan breakfast. I chose the latter while Mrs EatGoSee tucked into a full English after a morning’s workout. Her soft scrambled eggs on toast with roasted tomatoes and mushrooms come with the option of freshly pressed juice. You must order the Sri Lankan breakfast the night before as apparently it takes some time to make. I opted for the Sri Lankan breakfast; the bucket list is ticked.



Paradise Road Colombo Tintagel’s breakfast on the outside patio includes Western and Sri Lankan options.