Ramada by Wyndham Colombo — Hotel in Colombo

Having spent the last six months travelling in Sri Lanka, it’s time to wind down in preparation to head back home. I’ve seen all Colombo has to offer and indeed it’s a glorious city and the people are rightly proud of this. Initially I wanted to use The Colombo Swimming Club but was denied access as I’m not a member. How ironic that it was built by expatriates to relax in. Then a British national is refused.

I then went to Thurston College Pool but was denied there as there was water polo scheduled that afternoon. So rather than spend the afternoon traipsing around the city, I headed to Ramada hotel. Known for priding itself on excellence and the finest hospitality. What could go wrong?

Everything can go wrong in this hotel. Staff greet you professionally and are courteous, kind and engaging. I pay the 2,000 rupees fee for use of the pool. I then head to the cafe for a coffee and a fruit salad. I look for a table to sit at but the only one with free seats hasn’t been cleaned. Having no choice, I sit at that table and clear the table myself. My Americano is brought to me shortly.

I then head to the poolside and as luck would have it, I have it all to myself. The pool boy takes my ticket and hands me a towel that’s in very poor condition. Bleach marks are all over it. I have no locker key to store my valuables so I bring my bag next to the sun lounger. After swimming intermittently for almost an hour, I fancy some food.

I ask the pool boy how do I order some food and beverages? He goes to the hotel and informs me somebody will be along in five minutes. Twenty minutes later a staff member approaches me without a menu and asks what I would like? He then sends a server along in three minutes with a menu. I order a cappuccino, mango lassi and a chicken caesar salad.

The drinks are brought along first and the server goes to put them on an empty lounger as apposed to the empty table? Who trains these staff? It’s mind boggling really. After instructing him politely where to place it, he sheepishly walks off. He has no badge on his shirt so I can’t address him unfortunately. He’s pleasant enough, just really shy.

The cappuccino is probably the worst one I’ve had in my entire six months of being here. The mango lassi fares much better. Then after 6/7 minutes the salad arrives. This was merely two chicken skewers, a lot of lettuce leaves, a boiled egg and a round piece of toast with a hole in it! I ate the chicken and tossed the bread to the birds who were squawking in a nearby tree!

Poolside you can hear easy listening music by means of a piano or an acoustic guitar. I recognise several tunes as they are western classics. One of them playing was Bryan Adam’s, Everything I do, I do it for you. Fitting then that today’s visit has been exactly the opposite. It feels more like Michael...

I stayed at the Ramada recently during my time in Colombo and absolutely loved everything about the property! Setting up my base here was a great idea since their location is so ideal and so close to the beach as well plus you are never too far from many of the major attractions in the city which is another plus point! I was really impressed to learn that it was one of Colombo's first city hotels and just completed 50 years in the Sri Lankan capital. I usually don't prefer to stay in hotels that are so old because of a lack of proper upkeep and maintenance due to my dust allergies but they completely proved me wrong because their level of hygiene and cleanliness in the rooms, common areas and lobby was just unparalleled! The best thing for me for any hotel of any star rating is when they turn out to be super clean and well kept and this was definitely the case here! Although I had tried Sri Lankan food before arriving in this hotel, the dishes that I got to have here in their different restaurants were just perfect and if you're trying Sri Lankan food for the first time, l'd suggest that you start with their restaurants first and then go venture outside! Their Indian restaurant is headed by a highly skilled chef who served some great dishes to me and l enjoyed them all thoroughly. Several proteins, fresh seafood and authentic dishes that make you want to return immediately! I tried the food during lunch and dinner time and absolutely loved the ambiance, great service and friendly nature of all the staff members!Their Oasis Lounge is also such a cozy place to relax and unwind and breakfast at Gardenia is another highlight of my stay! I really didn't know much about Sri Lankan food before coming to Sri Lanka and now that I have discovered several dishes, from hoppers to their curries, I really enjoyed them a lot and think that Ramada has great restaurants to provide you with a taste of local delicacies. Another thing that is quite hard to find in Colombo is good coffee, apart from a few places that I discovered, but the coffee at Ramada is something I really loved, especially after discovering that there are not many decent and affordable places to get it in Colombo which made me appreciate something as small as this even more! The Junior Suite which I stayed in was so spacious and tastefully decorated and I had a great view as well! Their secret garden outside is a fantastic spot if you want to come with friends or family and just enjoy in the evenings and overall this Wyndham property is definitely worth your time and money when visiting Sri...

I recently stayed at the Ramada Hotel, and while my overall experience was above average, there were certain aspects that left much to be desired. The hotel does have some commendable features such as a swimming pool and a gym, but there are areas where they could improve significantly.

Let's start with the positive aspects. The amenities offered by the Ramada Hotel are praiseworthy. The swimming pool and gym facilities provided ample opportunities for relaxation and fitness during my stay. The pool was clean, and the gym was well-equipped, making it convenient to maintain my workout routine even while traveling. The hotel staff at the front desk and throughout the property were generally polite and accommodating.

However, my enthusiasm waned when it came to the ambiance of the rooms. Although the rooms were clean and adequately maintained, the overall atmosphere felt rather lackluster. The decor and furnishings seemed dated and in need of refreshing. A modern and inviting interior design could have done wonders in enhancing the overall experience for guests.

One of the most significant disappointments during my stay was the food quality. Unfortunately, it fell below my expectations. The meals served, both at the on-site restaurant and through room service, were consistently mediocre. The biggest issue was the temperature of the food. More often than not, I received cold dishes, which greatly affected the dining experience. Additionally, there were instances where it seemed like some ingredients might have been past their prime, giving off an expired taste. This was disappointing, as I had hoped for a satisfying culinary experience during my stay.

Despite the setbacks, the staff was understanding and tried to rectify the food-related issues upon my complaint. However, this should not have been an issue in the first place, and it raises concerns about the hotel's kitchen and quality control procedures.

In conclusion, the Ramada Hotel is a passable option for those seeking a place to stay with basic amenities such as a pool and gym. However, if you value a well-appointed and modern room ambiance or expect a higher standard of food quality, you may want to explore other options. The hotel has potential, but there is room for improvement, especially when it comes to maintaining the standard of their rooms and addressing the food-related concerns. I hope that the management takes these issues seriously and endeavors to elevate the overall guest experience...