Looking to read a detailed ITC Ratnadipa review before booking your next trip to Sri Lanka? You’ve come to the right place!
ITC Ratnadipa is the newest 5 star luxury hotel to launch in the Sri Lankan capital, opening its doors in 2024. It’s ITC Hotels first international property to open outside of India.
I spent 3 nights in a chic suite at the 5 star luxury hotel in Colombo. My review of ITC Ratnadipa Colombo features info on the hotel’s accommodation options, restaurants, spa and unique on-site amenities.
Book A Luxurious Holiday at ITC Ratnadipa in Colombo
The towering 135 metre tall ITC Ratnadipa is strategically perched along the shores of the Indian Ocean providing uninterrupted views of crystal waters, beautiful Beira Lake and the bustling city of Colombo.
The sprawling 6 acre hotel features 352 guest rooms, suites and service apartments with private balconies in all that open out to stunning waterfront views overlooking Galle Face Green, one of the most popular local hangouts in the Sri Lankan capital.
Elegance meets ingenuity with a unique triangular shape, offering guests entrances from both ocean and lake-facing viewpoints. The cascading terraces evoke the serene beauty of Sri Lankan tea fields. The sky bridge suspended 100 meters amidst the clouds features two full-length infinity sky pools.
Skip inside ITC Ratnadipa and you’ll be greeted in the lobby by Laki Senanayake’s jaw-dropping sculpture, complemented by Sanjaya Seneviratne’s contemporary artwork. Barbara Sansoni’s hand-loomed fabrics and Dominic Sansoni’s portraits also infuse local culture into the hotel’s welcoming aesthetic.
From Margosa wood sculptures from Jaffna, the north of the country once used in the religious processions of Hindu Kovils dating back 150 years to paintings depicting performers of the Kandy Perehara, the hotel plays home to over 1000 paintings and sculptures designed by local artists.
The hotel’s eye-popping interior design features patterns of water lily flowers, depicting purity alongside the national flower of Sri Lanka, the Nil Mahanel Flower. You’ll also find Dutch and British colonial furniture, as the two European nations played a key historical influence in Sri Lanka.
Take a tour of the hotel’s exterior and you’ll find a beautiful public park with a 10-meter waterfall.
ITC Ratnadipa Hotel Review Highlights
Before booking your trip to Sri Lanka, here are a list of highlights that make ITC Ratnadipa stand out from the rest:
- ITC Ratnadipa is Colombo’s newest 5 star hotel, boasting over 350 rooms with views overlooking the Indian Ocean.
- The property is a member of Marriott Bonvoy (Luxury Collection) so reward members can earn and redeem points during their stay.
- Traveling foodies will adore the hotel’s extensive culinary offering, which includes 6 distinct restaurants and 3 trendy bars.
- Indulge in traditional Sri Lankan therapies at the hotel’s luxurious Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa. If looking to keep fit on holiday the wellness floor also features a state-of-the-art gym and sauna.
- If you’re looking to keep cool on a hot day plunge into one of ITC Ratnadipa Hotel’s two refreshing pools. Sky Pool on the 31st floor is located atop the iconic sky bridge, 100 metres into the clouds, is where you can enjoy a swim with an unforgettable view or relax on a lounge chair while sipping a tropical cocktail. The main pool can be found on level 4 beside the gym and spa.
- The place to be at sunset is Ahasa, not just for the beautiful views but its tasty “luxury hour.” Guests are encouraged to visit between 5:30-7:30pm to enjoy a complimentary buffet and free drinks such as top shelf spirits, wine, beer and signature cocktails.
Accommodation
The most important question you have to ask yourself when reading a ITC Ratnadipa review is, “what type of accommodation would I like to book for my holiday.”
ITC Ratnadipa Hotel boasts a handful of chic accommodations, from entry level Tower Rooms to jaw-dropping presidential suites. Upgrade your stay to a suite to enjoy attentive personal butler service during the duration of your stay.
The hotel boasts some of the most spacious rooms in Colombo, complete with large private balconies offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and glittering Indian Ocean.
Once in your room, guests are greeted by a platter of local sweets, nuts, fruit and chocolates. Whilst snacking, take a tour of your suite and you’ll find luxurious bath amenities by Frella and a special pillow menu to ensure you sleep soundly.
Most rooms at ITC Ratnadipa include white marble bathrooms with separate tub and shower, bidet, lighted makeup mirror, hair dryer, robe & slippers, living room with sofa and chairs, work desk, coffee and tea station, minibar, flat screen TV, and nightly turndown service.
If you’re on holiday celebrating a special occasion (attention honeymooners!) book the over-the-top Pankaja Presidential Suite. The opulent interior features its own private spa, boutique gymnasium, personal office space and private balconies that open out to uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.
Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa
Looking to enjoy a moment of rest and relxation after a long day spent exploring Colombo’s temples and markets?
ITC Hotel’s signature spa Kaya Kalp is fit for royal pampering, an urban oasis where you can experience the ancient heritage of holistic wellness in Sri Lanka.
Immerse yourself in a tranquil sanctuary and indulge in rejuvenating therapies that harmonize mind, body and spirit, using handcrafted remedies derived from nature.
Guests can select from a varied menu featuring beauty enhancements such as facials, body scrubs, body wraps, massages, Ayurvedic treatments, makeup services, manicures & pedicures, waxing and complete spa journeys.
If you’re looking to splurge we recommend booking one of the spa’s signature treatments like the Kaya Kalp Massage, Mung Bean Exfoliation or Shirodhara, which uses warm medicated oil.
If you’re looking to keep fit on holiday the hotel’s wellness floor also features a state-of-the-art fitness facility, where you can run on a treadmill while watching the waves crash on the beach below. At the gym you’ll also find a sauna and personal trainers.
ITC Ratnadipa Restaurants
No review of ITC Ratnadipa Hotel is complete until you’ve had an opportunity to wag your finger down each of the hotel’s marvellous menus.
The hotel’s exceptional culinary program boasts 6 distinct restaurants and 3 trendy bars. You can easily stay here for a week to slowly indulge in each of the hotel’s exquisite eateries.
Indian Ocean Pavilion
Set in a charming glass house overlooking the sea, Indian Ocean Pavilions is the hotel’s all-day-dining concept.
The spacious restaurant features 7 live cooking stations, which at lunch and dinner feature selections of Asian (Chinese & Thai dishes), North Indian, Sri Lankan (as well as a few South Indian favourites), a salad bar with cheese and fresh sushi, Italian corner and dessert table.
The daily breakfast buffet offers an explosion of energy as guests zip around to various stations where smiling chefs whip together a la minute Asian noodle bowls and egg hoppers. You’ll find a fresh fruit and yogurt station, cheese & charcuterie, salad bar, Western fare (like croissants, French Toast, pancakes, sausages, bacon and eggs) as well as regional specialities like South Indian Dosa and a parade of spicy curries.
Peshawri
Peshawari brings the long-forgotten flavours of India’s North-West frontier to the table. The menu will be familiar to those who have traveled to ITC properties in India has it has a similar offering to the award-winning Bukhara.
The Peshawari menu offers a varied selection of both vegetarian and meat & seafood dishes, served with breads like naan, kulcha, paratha, and roti since North India famously grows wheat rather than the rice you see in the southern states.
If you’re keen to travel with your tastebuds to northern India we recommend ordering signature dishes like Paneer Tikka, Dal Bukhara, Murgh Makhani, Tandoori Lobster, and fragrant Onion Kulcha.
Avartana
Pronounced “avartan” the world Avartana means “fusion” in Sanskrit, as well as rhythm, iteration, mysticism and magic.
Credited with taking Indian cuisine onto the global stage, ITC Hotels presents its pioneering brand in reinventing Southern Indian cuisine with a touch of local culinary flair.
Avartana showcases contemporary South Indian and Sri Lankan food, while being fascinatingly innovative in the interpretation of the cuisine and its presentation via an 11 course “Jiaa” tasting menu.
We suggest starting your Avartana adventure at nearby Oyster Bar, a swishy wine cellar and cocktail bar for a pre-dinner tipple.
The unique Avartana menu is broken down into unique sections like Maya (mystical), Bela (beautiful), Anika (graceful), and Tara (sparkle). The dishes in each section are organized into two lists for vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
Highlights from the Avartana tasting menu include Potato Cracker with tamarind ghee glaze, Stir Fried Chicken with buttermilk mousse and curry leaf tempura, Cauliflower Crunch with pomegranate and mint, Asparagus Coconut Stew with turmeric and idiyappam, and Char Grilled Pork Belly with steamed tapioca and chayote.
Yi Jing
At Yi Jing witness live theatre, as master chefs skilfully pull handmade noodles and present baskets of intricately handcrafted dim sum.
Yi means “to change” and Jing refers to “the classic.” The hotel’s popular Chinese restaurant presents a cuisine that combines simplicity with contemporary interpretations from across the many diverse regions of China: from Sichuan to Huanan.
Accentuated with bright earthy yellow and wood colours with hints of red and black, take in an inviting space spread over two eye-popping floors.
Wag your finger down the extensive Yi Jing menu and you’ll find it’s organized into Dim Sum, Appetizers, Soups, Barbecue, Main Dishes, Noodles & Rice, and Desserts.
If it’s your first visit to Yi Jing we recommend ordering signature dishes like Crispy Prawn Cheung Fun Roll, Pork Xia Long Bao, Crispy Cantonese Duck Cigar Rolls, Barbecue Spare Ribs with Pickled Pear, Beijing Duck served with pancakes, Singapore Chili Crab, and handmade Sichuan Noodles.
Jala Anganaya
Bask in the sun under clear blue skies, sipping fresh juices and relishing healthy small plates by the hotel’s pool cafe.
Jala Anganaya is the perfect spot to enjoy a casual mid-afternoon meal between a refreshing splash in the hotel’s infinity pool.
The healthy menu features a selection of salad bowls and sandwiches, best paired with cocktails, wine, ice cold beer or fresh fruit juices.
Ahasa
The city’s newest hotspot Ahasa, perched 100m in the clouds, invites you to drink in the show-stopping views and the night glow of the surrounding skyscrapers.
Ahasa is nestled inside a unique architectural marvel and promises daily live jazz, sundowners and craft beverages with a menu featuring bar bites paired with upscale steakhouse classics. From carefully curated cocktails to panoramic views of the endless Indian Ocean, the bustling city and the Beira Lake, Ahasa is a must-visit at sunset.
The varied menu is broken down into 3 sections including shareable Bar Plates, Earthy Eats and Grill. The beverage menu features classic cocktails like the Aperol Spritz, Bellini, Mimosa and French 75. You can also order 3 types of sangria: rouge, rose or blanco.
If you’re coming here to sip cocktails pair your pretty tipples with shareable snacks like the Charcuterie Platter, New Zealand Lamb Skewers, Lemongrass Prawns, Colombo Fried Chicken or Jerk Chicken Tostadas.
If gathering for a proper steakhouse sit down dinner we recommend the Truffle Mushroom Croquettes, Mezze Platter, Grilled Belgium Pork Belly and US Black Angus Beef Ribeye.
Silvertips
Immerse yourself in the ambience of a Scottish tea planter’s bar, serving the finest beverages in a laidback tropical setting featuring calming water features and an eye-popping interior.
The lobby bar is the place to indulge in the best local Sri Lankan teas. Our server walked us over to the bar where they have a selection of large mason jars filled with the country’s most celebrated loose leaf. Sample from classic Earl Grey or Jasmine to more unique floral blends.
There’s also a selection of fine wine, coffees and craft cocktails. In the evening screens descend from the ceiling to offer ample views of the latest sports match of the moment.
If you’re feeling peckish the Silvertips menu offers Cakes & Savouries as well as a selection of gourmet sandwiches. Highlights include Banana Walnut Cake, Battenberg Cake, Chicken Olive Quiche, Bacon Caramelized Onion Puffs, and Tandoori Chicken Sandwich.
ITC Ratnadipa Hotel Contact
21 Galle Face Center Rd, 94-114-999-111
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