The Kingsbury Colombo — Restaurant in Colombo

Well planned family dinner with a Toddler - Ruined

I booked the dinner buffet for last Sunday dinner. In my first call I informed there will be 5 adults and a 3 year old toddler. Then the operator clearly told me the seating will be 6. (of cause it has to be we do not go to a 5 star hotel and keep our baby in the lap ) I requested a seating near the window since it'll be easy to keep the toddler distracted. I also requested 3x3 seating since our toddler behaves well while seated in between his parents.

The operator said in the call that she have put a special note with this info

I did this booking on Friday. On Saturday the baby's father informed me recently they went to the same buffet and they faced an unpleasant situ. Once they went to the buffet there was no baby chair to the baby and staff said they should have specially requested for the chair - just informing we have toddler is not enough. and they got a baby chair with a little hustle.

Therefore I called again to make sure I mentioned the Baby chair. during that call I again made sure the special note is there and operator reconfirmed me the details.

On Sunday I got two calls to reconfirm the booking from the Hotel(A guy and then a girl after approximately two hours apart). checked if the details are correct with them both time.

Finally when we arrived around 7.00pm. voilà.!!

-- A tiny female staff came, checked the booking by name, escorted us to a seating by window seat of 5 seating (No room for the baby) -- Told her that's not the booking requested - puzzled and annoyed face was shown to us. -- Then she escorted us to a six seating 33 after I explained verbally (the employee not referring to the notes they took via calls) - this time no window seating. -- I had to tell her that a six seating 33 window seating was what requested;

The staff told me I must have not communicated properly. I told her I did and also reconfirmed in the following calls. shook her head dismissing my claim. I requested her to refer the special note in the booking. she said she checked and there wasn't anything like that. I MUST NOT HAVE TOLD THEM IN WHEN MAKING THE BOOKING..!!!

At this point I was loosing my temper and I told her my calls are getting recorded and invited her to listen to them and show me in their booking system that there is no such information recorded as she's claiming (lying literally)

Mind you at least three 3*3 six person window seating arrangements were vacant in the premises when this drama was unfolding.

Finally we were escorted to one of them with sour faced staff and baby chair arrived after reminding two three times.. :)

Poor food spread - details below

We had to wave like refugees for water refills since waiting staff just pass by without noticing when we wave.

The Cherry on top of the cake was one the staff who involved in the seating drama asking me if I enjoy their "service".

I wonder if these employees are bribed by rival hotels since cinnamon lakeside/ life COD cuz we were all regretting not going there spending little extra and receive better service and food spread.

I've been to this place since it was Ceylon Continental, After rebranding to Kingsbury, to High tea, brunch, bar, Honey Beach many times and had a lot of pleasant memories here. but will never choose this place unless I'm a guest of someone else who chose this place.

I'm questioning the management on:

Why your staff not attending the booking requirements made while making the appointment.??? Why don't they read the special notes in the bookings? Why they are not asking the golden question if the guests need a baby chair for the baby when they mention there is a baby among the guests?? if they have a policy of only providing it on prior request? Why your Sunday international dinner buffet don't have the must have staples like lamb, blue cheese. the cashew curry in Sri Lankan cuisine?

This will be the end of my visits to once glorious...

I recently stayed at this beautiful and luxurious hotel that everyone raves about in the city and I definitely wanted to check it out myself. I travelled from Galle and pampered myself to a two night stay at The Kingsbury.

The hotel is grand and very welcoming to smiling faces of staff working there and showering their warm hospitality upon everyone. The hotel was busy which was great for the business and team were on their toes to ensure a great experience for everyone staying or visiting.

Coming to the positives -

Food was outstanding everywhere. Tried 4-5 outlets throughout the stay and the food and hospitality at the F&B outlets was divine specially at Yue Chuan and Tenku. The F&B team was great and chefs really definitely did put their heart and soul into the cooking.

Spa at the hotel was amazing. Really professional therapists and the team at the reception was truly welcoming and ensured a great experience during the therapies. I did have a suggestion and have already mentioned it to the spa team and that is to keep some loofahs at the spa on request for those guests to do choose to take a shower there itself.

Gymnasium was well equipped and definitely maintained to a great standard.

Unfortunately there were a few hiccups as well.

First and foremost , I was actually given a key to an occupied room on arrival. The guest occupying the room was lady and she was getting her makeup done when I walked in assuming she must be at the hotel for an event. However it was very embarrassing for both of us as she was in the middle of getting ready and I just invaded her privacy unknowingly. I definitely apologised for the inconvenience and went back to the reception and did let the team know. They mentioned that due to Houskeeping’s negligence, the room was marked ready as per their system. I hope they did speak to the guest and made sure everything was fine ! It was surely a very big inconvenience to the guest occupying the room and myself ! Unfortunately nothing was done post that by the team with regard to the same.

I had placed my order for lunch through room service upon arrival in the new room however the team member who delivered the food requested for the payment to be done at the same time rather than posting it to the room. It was actually the case for all the outlets I visited and none of them billed the checks to the room. Unfortunately not all the in-house guests like to carry their credit cards along to every space of the hotel they visit. Looked quite odd but that might just be the hotel policy unfortunately it was not informed upon arrival.

I had placed an order through the beach club for lunch on the day of departure which took about an hour and a half to be delivered to the room. I had reconfirmed with the employee at the beach club about the delivery and he over excitedly mentioned to have it served without an issue within 20-25 minutes. However after two follow-ups once through the reception and second through the room service, the order was finally served.

There were a few ups and downs about The Kingsbury however overall what I had heard off about the service and hospitality unfortunately that little spark was missing which could have definitely elevated the entire stay experience i was...

The Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a luxurious 5-star property offering a sophisticated and elegant experience for both business and leisure travelers. Situated along the scenic Galle Face Green, with beautiful views of the Indian Ocean, the hotel combines classic grandeur with modern amenities, making it a popular choice for those seeking comfort and convenience in Sri Lanka’s capital.

Upon entering the Kingsbury, guests are greeted with a sense of opulence, with its spacious lobby, high ceilings, and refined décor. The hotel's interiors feature a mix of contemporary style and timeless elegance, making for an inviting and pleasant atmosphere. The staff are warm, attentive, and highly professional, offering exceptional service throughout a guest's stay.

The rooms at The Kingsbury are spacious, well-appointed, and designed with comfort in mind. Many rooms offer stunning ocean views, while others overlook the vibrant cityscape of Colombo. The rooms are equipped with modern amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and luxurious bedding. The bathrooms are equally impressive, featuring marble surfaces, rain showers, and premium toiletries.

One of the standout features of The Kingsbury is its dining options. The hotel boasts a variety of restaurants, each offering a unique experience. The Ocean Terrace, with its stunning oceanfront view, serves an array of international and Sri Lankan dishes, while the Italian-inspired Graze Kitchen offers a fine-dining experience. The hotel's stylish bar, The Lounge, is perfect for evening cocktails, while the popular Cakes and Bakes café offers a delightful selection of pastries and snacks.

The Kingsbury also offers an array of leisure facilities, including an outdoor pool with panoramic views of the city and ocean, a fully equipped fitness center, and a spa offering relaxing treatments. The hotel’s central location makes it convenient for guests to explore Colombo’s attractions, including the Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face Green, and the National Museum, which are all just a short drive away.

While The Kingsbury provides a high standard of service and luxury, some guests have noted that certain areas, such as the spa and some aspects of the hotel's upkeep, could benefit from further attention. However, these minor shortcomings do little to detract from the overall positive experience.

In conclusion, The Kingsbury Hotel offers a luxurious and comfortable stay in the heart of Colombo. With its excellent service, top-notch facilities, and stunning views, it is an ideal choice for those looking for a high-end hotel in Sri Lanka's bustling capital. Whether for a short stay or a longer visit, guests are sure to enjoy a memorable and pleasant experience at this...