We have just returned from a trip to Sri Lanka and stayed at Mount Lavania Hotel for 4 nights. We thorougly enjoyed our stay there. We (2 + 2) were accommodated very comfortably in a large spacious room. The breakfast was very good. But we could not understand was why hotel rooms were advertised for only maximum 3 persons whereas they can easily accommodate a family of 4 like us very easily. We were given a double bed and two single beds. if not for our booking agent we could have easily skipped this hotel thinking they will not be suitable for 4 member families. Bath room looked a bit dated but with all the mod cons. We look forward to going there again. This is our Children's favourite hotel.

Siva Sivakumaran
Croydon, England

Stayed here at the start of Kuoni Ceylon tour. Journey from airport about 1hr30mins. Fantastic location with sea right under our window- noisy as we couldn't turn down the volume! Public areas beautiful with real colonial ambiance. White baby grand piano in bar with christmas carols being played- quite surreal in a nice way! Staff friendly and helpful. Room fine and room service good. Breakfast on the terrace overlooking Colombo great with fantastic choice of food- could easily spend more time here! Used by locals for weddings so this gave us a flavour of high society! Even the adjacent railway line was fascinating- go you won't be disappointed!

First Hotel On Honeymoon Tour Of Sri Lanka. Wow ! Never Experienced Service Like This, Staff Were Excellent, Friendly And Always Willing To Help. The Views, Setting And Rooms Are To Die For. The Food Was Excellent. Do The Seafood On The Beach As This Is A Really Romantic Setting And Excellent Food, Have Your Fish Devilled, Very Tasty & Not To Spicy.

We Will Be Going To Be Back To This Hotel On A Anniversary. Wondefull Time Had.

Spent one night at the Mount Lavinia Hotel in November 2004 (just before the tsunami!) We crashed out there in the morning after an overnight flight from London and a very long drive through the Colombo traffic, which has to be seen to be believed. The hotel was originally the Governor's residence before independence and retains a faded colonial charm and elegance. Rooms and some public areas were a little tired-looking, but clean and comfortable. The hotel's position on a promontory and above a huge beach is spectacular - the beach is lovely, but swimming is dangerous in the huge waves and strong aftertow - use the pool instead. Pleasant gardens, with the odd iguana lizard wandering around.

Food was fabulous - a huge Indian/Sri Lankan vegetarian buffet the evening we were there. Staff were very friendly and welcoming as is usually the case in Sri Lanka. It would be a pretty good base for exploring Colombo, were it not for the ghastly traffic (it is quite a way out from the city itself). If we are ever in Sri Lanka again, we will stay a couple more nights at this hotel.