Maniumpathy

Style

Just what the doctor ordered

Setting

Secluded Cinnamon Gardens

Named after the Jaffna town of Manipay, boutique hotel Maniumpathy is steeped in Ceylonese history. Passed down through five generations of the accomplished Hallock family, this charming home is now a stylish retreat of just eight suites, all arranged around a peaceful central courtyard and petite lap pool. Colonial trappings are de rigueur at this Colombo hideaway: expect roll-top bath tubs, four-poster beds and perfectly manicured lawns.

Facilities

Rooms

Eight, including two suites.

Checkout

11am. Earliest check-in, 2pm. Both are flexible, subject to availability.

More Details

Rates include an à la carte breakfast of Continental, English, American and Sri Lankan dishes, as well as made-to-order, vitamin-packed smoothies.

Also

Ground-floor suites are accessible to wheelchair users, as are the lounge and dining areas.

Free Internet Access

On-Site Restaurant

At the Hotel

Lounge, free WiFi throughout. In rooms: TV, minibar, free bottled water.

Our Favourite Rooms

Dressed in rich heritage hues, Maniumpathy’s eight colonial-chic suites are named after the much-loved women of the Hallock family who’ve owned this stately house for five generations. With an ebony four-poster bed swathed in crimson drapes, Master Suite Annapuranie is the most theatrical of them; we also love its private garden and the roll-top bath tub. Split-level Chrysantie has an extra queen-size bed on a mezzanine; although smaller, the ground-floor Vasanthi and Anithra suites have imposing king-size beds and secret gardens to lounge in.

Poolside

Maniumpathy’s freshwater pool may be small, but the genteel courtyard, inviting sunloungers and masses of tropical foliage make it a picturesque spot for a cooling dip.

Packing Tips

Bring a copy of Cinnamon Gardens by Shyam Selvadurai to thumb by the pool, for an evocative peek at life in 1920s Ceylon.

Also

Kynsey Road was once the Harley Street of Colombo; Dr Hallock had his own thriving surgery in what is now the Chrysanthie suite.

Children

Over-sevens are welcome. Children can stay on the sofa bed in the Chrysanthie suite (US$45 a night for 7–12 year-olds and US$65 for older children, excluding tax). The restaurant has highchairs and can adapt the menu for picky eaters.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Book the Grand Ebony Room for a small-scale celebration: the long, linen-draped table sits 16 below an antique chandelier.

Dress Code

Embrace the low-key colonial vibe with breezy linens, hand-woven batiks and a neutral palette.

Hotel Restaurant

The Nandi is as laid-back as restaurants get: light lunches of colourful salads, fragrant curries and comforting sandwiches (fish bap with mushy peas, anyone?) are served in the courtyard, on shaded terraces or – for the irremediably languid – at your sunlounger by the pool. Dinners are more elaborate three-course affairs of Sri Lanka-influenced international cuisine, such as tamarind soup, cashew-crusted mullet and mango-topped pavlova.

Hotel Bar

Sip on post-excursion sundowners in the courtyard or the lounge.

Last Orders

Breakfast is served 6.30am–9.30am, lunch noon–2.30pm, dinner 7pm–9.30pm.

Room Service

Order in-room feasts from the restaurant’s menu round the clock.

Planes

The nearest airport to the hotel is Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport, a 40-minute drive away depending on traffic. Call our Smith24 Team on 03300 376 891 to arrange flights and transfers.

Trains

A 15-minute drive away from Maniumpathy, Maradana station serves Sri Lanka Railways trains to Kandy and Galle.

Automobiles

Driving on Colombo’s overcrowded roads can be a nerve-wracking experience, but there’s free parking at the hotel should you wish to bring your own wheels.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Step away from Maniumpathy’s immaculate lawns and genteel atmosphere: the hotel can arrange two- to three-hour guided walks to take in colourful Colombo. Bustling, dizzying Pettah Market is a good place to start; wander around the history-steeped neighbourhood and stock up on spices, exotic fruit and intricate jewellery. Renting a tuk tuk for the day is a good option; if you’re wary of the hot and humid climate, ask staff to fill a cooler box with cold drinks for a comfortable tour of the city’s historic landmarks. Take in the kite flyers, street-food-vendors and courting couples at cannon-studded Galle Face Green, visit the floating Buddhist temple of Gangaramaya or pay homage to the country’s history at Independence Square. Shopaholics would do well to visit nearby Odel department store or interiors haven Paradise Road for antiques and curios to take home. If your body is as much in need of a workout as your purse, Prana Lounge offers yoga and meditation classes in a tranquil heritage building (you’ll need to book classes in advance) and the Royal Colombo Golf Club is just a 10-minute walk away.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .