Uga Residence offers a dose of old-world charm within the buzzing city of Colombo.
From the moment you step off the plane in Colombo, the energy in the city is palpable. From the buzzing streets, vibrant culture and rich food, it should be your first stop on the island before you head over to explore the iconic Geoffrey Bawa architecture, reserves for exotic wildlife, hilly tea plantations or then those perfect sandy beaches.
We drove straight to Uga Residence, a unique boutique hotel situated in the heart of Colombo. Nestled between the shady Park Street and the tranquil lakeside Buddhist temple of Gangarama, it is an elegant retreat with a stellar location. Just a few steps down is the most happening food street filled with some of the most popular restaurants in the city.
This hotel was built back in the 19th Century by a wealthy barrister by the name of Sheikh Salehboy Moosajee, this Victorian townhouse once welcomed governors, maharajas, nobility, and the cream of Ceylon’s colonial society. There is a sense of quietude and splendour at this regal and intimate storied heritage hotel.
We were greeted with an elegant tea ceremony where we picked our tea of choice. The hibiscus and rose combination hit just the right sweet notes and was the perfect thirst quencher. Next on our plate was breakfast. Again, this is a personalized affair served on the shaded patio.
An explosion of flavours and colours, this was a sweet and savoury culinary treat. We started off with nourishing Kola Kanda, this is a rich herbal oat porridge known to boost the immune system. The platter of freshly cut fruit was simply delightful but it was the traditional breakfast spread of daal, curry and sambol that was a gorgeous treat we are still dreaming about.
In the evening, this restaurant transforms into a fine dining affair called Rare, where the eclectic menu features fusion dishes that perfectly balance modern technique with traditional recipes.
The self-contained rooms are decorated in line with heritage ethos but do offer all mod-cons-including a fully stocked coffee bar and spa-inspired bathroom. The antique wooden furniture, natural fabrics and traditional design elements permeate that old-world charm. If only these walls could talk!
There is a swimming pool set in the inner courtyard that we took refuge by after a hectic day filled with shopping and exploring. There is also a lounging area with high ceilings and leather seating to relax in anytime during the day.
Uga Residence is all about personlised service and the staff are a tight knit community always ready to help. They made us feel right at home and in our short stay we relied on them for recommendations and advice.
The perfect amalgamation of old-world charm and modern luxury, Uga Residence offers that much-needed respite from the exhilarating energy that encompasses the vibrant city of Colombo.
Uga ResidenceNo 20 , Park Street,Colombo 2, Sri Lanka.
UGA RESIDENCE
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