Colombo Hotels
Sri Lanka is a diverse destination with an amazing range of experiences for such a small island. The recorded history of the Island dates back 2500 years when an exiled prince from north India drifted into the shores of Sri Lanka to establish the first known civilisation here. Golden beaches, rolling hills, forests and lush tea plantations combine with the majesty of the ancient cities in the cultural triangle to provide a unique experience for every holiday in Sri Lanka.
Colombo is its largest city and the former administrative capital and is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and remnants of a bygone colonial era. Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815 when Colombo was made its administrative capital.
The hotels in Colombo such as the Galle Face hotel and the Grand Oriental Hotel are witnesses to this era as they are two of the oldest hotels in Asia. The Galle Face Hotel was established in 1864 and is older than the Raffles in Singapore or the New Oriental in Bangkok. These colonial hotels are complemented by modern international hotels in Colombo such as the Colombo Hilton, The Taj Samudra and the home grown yet impressive Cinnamon Grand and the Cinnamon lakeside. Colombo hotels offer a variety of choice and great value for any visitor to this modern and vibrant city.
Getting around Colombo couldn't be easier depending on your budget. Hop a tuk tuk but always remember to bargain as fares are arbitrary or take a public taxis as hotels taxis tend to be a little more expensive. The public bus service is extensive to all parts of the country but the non air conditioned buses within Colombo will be crowded and uncomfortable. The air conditioned intercity bus services that terminate in Colombo fort however will be a convenient, cost effective and comfortable way of getting around if hiring a chauffeur driven car is beyond your means.
Another great means of discovering the beauty of the country, albeit a little slowly, is by train. The rail network was established by the British and routes such as the one from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya are some of the most scenic in the world as it winds through tea plantations and waterfalls. Trains are not the most comfortable but if you manage to get a seat in the observation car which needs to be booked in advance in Colombo you can enjoy a truly unique journey in Sri Lanka.
Hotels in Kandy and hotels in Nuwara Eliya are once again a mixture of the old and the new. Kandy was the last sanctuary of the Sri Lankan kings and remained independent until 1815 and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Its location in the hill country made it impenetrable to invading armies. Nuwara Eliya, known as little England sits atop the hill country as the town at the highest elevation in Sri Lanka. Its cool climate made it a favourite retreat for the colonial masters and the tradition is continued to this day as it's the most favoured holiday hot spot for the local population.
The cultural triangle comprising of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla, all UNESCO world heritage sites is located in the north central province. Its dry climate and shrub like vegetation interspersed with magnificent reservoirs and national parks abundant with wild elephants and bird life make this a destination unto itself. Hotels in Anuradhapura are fairly basic but a few hotels in Polonnaruwa such as the Deer Park are available to those who seek to indulge. The best hotels in among the ancient cities can be found in Habarana, Kandalama and Dambulla. Hotels in Habarana such as the Cinnamon Lodge and the hotels in Kandalama such as the Kandalama Hotel are among the best in the country but apart from these there are a variety of hotels to suit all budgets in this area.
Sri Lanka therefore is a veritable paradise for the holiday maker irrespective of the budgets available to them. The variety of terrain, experiences, sights and sounds combined with its food and culture make it an ideal holiday destination.
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