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Mount Lavinia Hotel stands on a promontory above the Indian Ocean in Mount Lavinia, on the coast immediately south of Colombo. Built as a colonial residence and run as a hotel for decades since, it combines old-world architecture with the dining, event and leisure facilities travellers expect from a modern seaside property.
The hotel occupies a rock above the ocean, with interiors that reflect its colonial-era origins alongside more contemporary conveniences. Guestrooms are arranged across several categories, and the dining venues, spa, gymnasium and pool give guests plenty to occupy themselves with beyond the beach itself.
The building dates to 1806, when it was constructed as the residence of Sir Thomas Maitland, the second British governor of Ceylon. It was later extended under Sir Edward Barnes and redesigned along the lines of an Italian villa by Captain Edward Sanderson, with the work completed in 1830. The property was sold at auction in 1842 and used for a period as an asylum, before becoming The Mount Lavinia Grand Hotel in 1877, once the coastal railway had reached the area. During the Second World War it housed No 35 British General Hospital, from 1942 to 1946, and it has operated continuously as a hotel since 1947. It was used as a filming location for The Bridge on the River Kwai in 1957, and in January 2011 blue plaques commemorating four governors were installed on the property.
By tradition rather than documented record, the hotel is popularly associated with a romance between Maitland and Lovina Aponsuwa, a dancer, and with a tunnel said to have linked their two houses — a story visitors still hear told today.
Rooms are sold here in three grades — Standard, Superior and Deluxe — with meal arrangements ranging from Room Only through Bed and Breakfast, Half Board and Full Board. Categories at the property include Colonial Rooms, with antique furnishings and wooden floors, alongside Direct Ocean View and Ocean View rooms with a more contemporary feel; suites are also available in Colonial, Direct Ocean View and Ocean View styles. Standard in-room amenities include air-conditioning, IDD facilities, 24-hour housekeeping, satellite television, a hair dryer, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities, and an en-suite bathroom with hot and cold running water.
The Governor's Restaurant is the hotel's main dining room, set in an ambience recalling a bygone era and serving a la carte lunch and dinner drawing on regional and continental dishes. The Terrace overlooks the ocean and offers a daily International Lunch Buffet, themed nightly buffets with live music, and a la carte breakfasts. Down on the beach itself, Seafood Cove serves fresh seafood — prawns, fish, cuttlefish and more — cooked to order in its Cadjan-thatched, rustic island-style setting, with a live calypso band during dinner and a la carte service by day. The Fish Tale Bar, an extension of Seafood Cove, and the Lobby Lounge and Bar, open through the day for cocktails and snacks, complete the drinking options. In-room dining is available around the clock.
Leisure facilities include a fully equipped gymnasium, the Coco Spa, an outdoor swimming pool with poolside entertainment, and Capello, a hair and beauty salon. Business travellers are catered for with a fully equipped business centre and wireless internet across the property. For weddings and events, the hotel offers a choice of venues including the Empire Ballroom, Regency Room, Horizon Room, Imperial Room, Tropical Hut and Beach Hut.
Guests can fill their time with a range of outdoor and indoor games at the hotel, a boat trip on the inland Bolgoda Lake, or a visit to Dehiwala Zoo. The hotel can also help arrange excursions further afield, from the beaches of the south coast to a scenic train journey into the hill country. With the ocean on the doorstep, long walks along the sand are an easy option too.
The hotel is at No. 100, Hotel Road, Mount Lavinia, part of Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia on the coast immediately south of Colombo. The city centre is about 12 km away, making it a straightforward base for guests who want easy access to Colombo while staying by the sea.
Bandaranaike International Airport is around 42.3 km from the hotel by road, a drive of roughly 1 hour and 4 minutes, though this will vary with traffic and time of day. A private transfer can be arranged for the journey between the airport and the hotel. Book the Colombo (CMB) Airport transfer to Mount Lavinia Hotel.
Pick your room type and meal plan when you enquire — our team will price it for your dates.
The place is very good , the staff is friendly , good views and swiming pool , as of now september 2026 they are renevating the hotel so some rooms are closed , but its is best place for family and couple , dont miss the museum to…
Location is Too Good Surrounded by sea. Rooms are quite good. But are very old. House Keeping is Pathetic, in spite of repeated requests to responce, in my entire stay there was no running hot water for shower, Even after repea…
We stayed at Mount Lavinia Hotel for one night, and it was an absolute disaster from start to finish. The entire property is neglected and poorly maintained. The corridors were filthy and clearly hadn't been cleaned. Inside the ro…
Ratings and reviews provided by TripAdvisor for Mount Lavinia Hotel.
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