Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo — Hotel in Colombo

My son was married last week and our party booked to stay at this hotel to ensure we were all ready in time for the wedding day. My youngest son ordered a chicken burger in the main restaurant. He said that within minutes of finishing he felt odd. At 0120 hours, ie the day of the wedding, I received a call from his mother saying he was extremely unwell and had to be rushed to hospital. I took him by cab. He received emergency treatment including various drips. He was due to play the role of best man at the wedding. We didn't return to the hotel until about 5am. We were all shattered and sleep deprived. Management paid lip service only to offering compensation ie nothing in real terms nor have they contacted us since. I have posted this review as I believe hotels should be held accountable if they ignore their responsibilities. The hotel, for all they know, ruined the wedding, yet, we haven't heard from them since leaving that day.

So, I have now received a reply: below. I am distinctly unimpressed with the response and so will provide some more detail. The booking had been made in advance but my wife wished to make some changes. She rang to do so but was up against the Cinnamon Lakeside telephone system. She had to ring about 4 times to try to get through to the right person and was cut off, by the other end, several times. In the end we decided it would be easier to clarify upon check in. Upon check in our party was delayed over an hour at reception due to what I can only put down to poor admin systems. (Please check your cctv if you dispute the length of the wait; it might have been closer to 90 mins). Yet when my son and I checked into our room we had to change it! We had specified from the outset we required twin beds not a double! This caused another delay. (Just try to imagine your frustration when you've booked a 'top' hotel to treat yourself the night before your son's wedding only to find your afternoon is being spent in the hotel reception being 'messed around' by an incompetent system.) Then, of course, came the debacle - described above. Now why am I unimpressed with the response. My wife and I, in the hours before leaving the hotel, had separately made it clear to different management team members what had happened. They know who we are: we had had the prolonged check in the afternoon before; they were liasing with us, for example, over getting my son to and from hospital through the night; and, of course, we complained (separately) before leaving the hotel. The management watched as we ran to and fro rying to load up the mini van desperately trying to avoid missing the auspicious time around which the whole of the wedding had been planned. Of course we didn't delay to make a formal and prolonged complaint. We didn't want to be late to the wedding. Now, we find, that the onus is on us to follow this up; management expects us to chase them up all over again! Not only that but the invitation is from Mr Anonymous himself ie the Management Team rather than offering us a point of contact. You get on with your prolonged enquiry into the merits, management team. If you think, after my experience of your manner of doing things, I will be wasting my time making another complaint - you are mistaken. I will make do with trying to ensure the public knows your...

From the moment I stepped into Mohamed Rizwan’s coffee shop, I knew I was in for a special experience. It’s not every day that you come across a place that gets everything just right — from the ambiance and cleanliness to the quality of coffee and customer service. But this café, under the attentive and genuine care of Mr. Rizwan, surpassed all my expectations.

The first thing I noticed was the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The interiors were tastefully decorated — cozy yet modern — with a calming vibe that made it the perfect spot to unwind or get some work done. The seating was comfortable, the lighting was just right, and soft background music added to the relaxing mood. It’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into creating an environment that’s both inviting and comfortable.

What truly made the visit memorable, however, was the exceptional service provided by Mohamed Rizwan himself. From greeting me with a smile to ensuring that everything was to my satisfaction throughout my time there, his hospitality was second to none. He was attentive without being intrusive, and his genuine passion for coffee and customer service was evident in every interaction.

I ordered a cappuccino and a slice of their signature cake, and I can honestly say it was one of the best coffee experiences I’ve had in a long time. The coffee was rich, aromatic, and perfectly balanced — clearly made by someone who knows and respects the art of coffee-making. The cake was fresh, moist, and delicious, pairing perfectly with the drink. Everything was served promptly and beautifully presented.

What impressed me further was Mohamed’s personal engagement with the customers. He took time to ask for feedback, gave recommendations with a smile, and even shared a little about the shop’s story and his commitment to quality. It felt less like a transaction and more like a warm interaction with someone who genuinely cares about the people he serves.

Beyond the service and quality, there’s a sense of heart and integrity behind everything here. It’s rare to find a business owner so dedicated to providing not just a good product but a memorable overall experience. Mohamed Rizwan deserves recognition for the level of professionalism, kindness, and excellence he brings to his coffee shop.

If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy top-quality coffee, feel truly welcomed, and leave with a smile on your face, look no further. I’ll definitely be coming back, and I’ll be recommending this gem of a café to friends and family without hesitation.

Thank you, Mohamed Rizwan, for such a wonderful experience. Keep up the fantastic work — the passion you bring to your business is not only noticed but deeply...

My friend and I travelled to Colombo in January from the UK. The hotel is large, modern, well appointed. Comfortable bedrooms, ample choice at breakfast (which can get busy). Our room had a Lakeside view, pretty enough, but it also overlooked the poolside bar/club which had loud music playing till the very early hours, rendering sleep a challenge. I would recommend checking this, before you book, or stay on the other side of the hotel.However, what soured our stay was that the day after we checked in at the hotel, we were victims of a scam.As we left the hotel to walk to the local temple in the morning (still jet lagged), a man claiming to be a hotel employee started a conversation with us. He claimed his name was Sangha Perera. He appeared to be helpful, giving us directions. As it was raining, he advised us that taking a tuk tuk around the main tourist attractions would be easier and cheaper. As he was connected to the hotel, we trusted him. He 'found' us a tuktuk, and even joined us acting as an unnoficial guide. Eventually he ended up taking us to an 'officially credited' government approved jewellery shop, which had 50% off,  he even told us a percentage of profits would be donated to tsunami orphans. We were pressurised by the shop management (all men) into purchasing items.  After that the tuktuk driver told us the ride for 2.5 hours would cost equivalent of £100 in rupees, and things got very heated until we paid up.We reported the matter to the Jeevani Perera, Lobby Manager at Colombo Cinnamon Lakeside hotel. She told us the man did not work at the hotel, and an identical incident had happened previously. We also spoke to the hotel security officer, who said he would check hotel security videos. Later we even sent them photos of the man claiming to be an hotel employee and the tuktuk driver. We were disappointed to receive no response from them.BE WARNED if you stay at this hotel. Scammers are working around there, and the hotel seemingly turns a blind eye, without advising guests checking in! (SEE PHOTOS OF SCAMMERS ATTACHED). Am sure the same thing goes on outside other hotels too...We eventually went to the local police, who were helpful, and they went with us to get our money back from the jewellery shop (Lanka Sapphire Lapidary PVT Ltd., no 83 Dharmaphala Mawatha, Colombo 07), but it was not easy to do so. A...