Colombo Rennaissance/Ramada Rennaissance - 5* Reviews

Longtime Chicago convenor Marion W. Isbell (1905 1988) founded the chain in 1953 with a group of investors, including Michael Robinson of McLallen, Texas (who later started the Roadway Inn in the early 1960s) and Dale Webb of Phoenix (who was new York owned and established its own lodging chain, Highway House, in 1956. Other original investors of Ramada Innes included Isabel's brother-in-law Bill Helsing; Max Sherman of Chicago, a producer Pretr "The Tomato King" dubbed, Chicago lawyers Ezra Ressman and Mort Levin and Frank Lichenstin and San Antonio, Robert Rojo Texas.

In early 1952, Marion W. Isabel received a call from her brother-in-law, Bill Hellsing. Bill informed him of a hotel deal in Flagstaff, AZ, in which he was going to invest and wanted to know if Marion would be interested in joining him. This first investment led to a rapid return of capital.

Ramada opened its first hotel, 60-room facility on US Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona in 1954 and established its headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, where the chain built the Sahara Hotel on North 1st Street Downtown in 1956 (which later Ramada Inn Downtown) and a 300-room Ramada Inn in the 3800 block of East Van Buuren in 1958 that would become the chain's flagship property and headquarters. Like his contemporary, Holiday Inn Hotel-chain founder Caymons Wilson, Isbell conceived the idea of building and operating a chain of roadside motor hotels when on a cross-country trip with his wife Ingrid and their three children, He noted the alternative quality. At that time roadside motor courts along American highways. He saw the potential in the developing market for a range of roadside motor hotels conveniently located along major highways, with hotel-like accommodation at near-motel rates, such as TVs, air-conditioning, swimming pools, and in the complex. Will provide facilities. Restaurant.

By the early 1970s, a typical Ramada Inn was built from colonial-Williamsburg-style architecture, in addition to the standardized architectural designs used by competitors such as Holiday Inn and Howard Johnson. These are qualities that have distinctive brick pillars and a white overhang in front of the hotel, in addition to the all-brick architecture. Most of these have now been reintroduced under various other names, but some of the original Ramada ins of that colonial design still continue as a franchise of the series. From the early 1950s to 1976, the Ramada logo featured There was a friendly bald gullible man called "Uncle Ben". He sported an apron (later a suit and tie) and held a top hat in one hand; On the other hand was a red trumpet banner with "Ramada in Roadside Hotels" written on it. From 1976 to 1982, the series logo was a simple round rectangle that read "Ramada Inn" in the Gothic Western-style lettering of the original design. Of original design. From 1982 to 2004, Ramada changed to more "modern" lettering with a revised, rounded rectangular design.

At one point the chain was owned by Ramada Ins, Inc. Had, a company founded by Isabel, which oversees Ramada's various divisions, including hotel operations, franchises, real estate and equipment purchases. Under Isabel's leadership, Ramada grew into one of the country's largest lodging chains in the 1960s and 1970s, with 100 Ramada Inn by 1964, rising to 250 in 1970 and around 650 by 1976. By the late 1970s, Ramada finished second. The largest hotel chain in America behind the industry leader Holiday Inn. Also during the 1970s, Ramada expanded operations worldwide by opening new hotels in various European countries and other continents.

Marion W. Isabel served as president and CEO of Ramada until 1970, when he resigned from the presidency and was succeeded by his son William M. Handed over to Isabel. Sr. Isabel continued as CEO of the series until his retirement in 1972, then chairman of the board until 1979. William M. Isabel would serve as President and CEO of Ramada until 1981.

Good place for a meal or to hold a party, I have visited twice I think it is good.

The food and service here are the worst in Colombo. And the management of this hotel is just as bad. Stay away!

Has various restaurants, bar and a swimming pool. Good food.

No problems. Feels like a western hotel. There is a restaurant on the ground floor selling Indian type food. Breakfast is buffet and was fine. The room we had was an acceptable standard with a bath and shower. There is a gym here too although I didn't have a chance to try it. We were given 2 room cards which was useful.

Bad tea. OK food. The venue as a place is just fine.

Excellent service, would have preferred an expanded menu at pool side but the shisha was excellent!

I went there for a workshop and directions were not clearly shown to the venue of workshop.

Stayed here for one night in April as a stop gap whilst travelling Sri Lanka. Just got ff an 11 hour flight and was extremely tired and jetlagged, we checked in and quickly rushed downstairs to get some food. we were downstairs for about 25 More

stayed here for a couple of nights and absolutely loved it! the customer service here is top notch and the amenities are great!

the beds are comfortable and the rooms are clean. there is a large pool and also a fitness center.

We LOVED the sushi restaraunt here! they fly in their salmon fresh from Norway and all of their sushi is AMAZING! they have a chef that trained in Japan.

great location in district 1

I had my wedding there on Feb 05. But unfortunately I am really disappointed with thier service. Even there were no enough waiters to serve my guests. No bellboy I have to take all my bags to upstairs room. Even I didnot have any complementary offers after the wedding.
I never recommend this hotel to anyone.
After I complained to Mr Rifath( banquet office) he understand the problem and helped to manage that.

Very poorly maintained property with equally poor customer service

It's nice place to have a weeding the food and the service was excellent.

It's a good place to stay and thay have a friendly staff

Very good hotel, rooms are very big good location but ROOM services are pathetic. I like food etc.

Some of my guest claimed that they lost several hundred USD in the room, house keeper is strongly suspected

Good hotel with great service. Staff is very friendly and helpful.

Visited the Ramada on the 17th of April 2019 for lunch at the coffee shop.
Absolutely amazing! Terrific experience!
The restaurant has a very simple layout, yet manages to be cozy and niche, facing outwards to the pool.
The ambience is great, and I'd recommend visiting it with your better half for a date. Globes throwing off soft yellow light are just beautiful.
Service times were on the longer side but it was worth the wait. I went with an Australian lamb rib steak. Oh! Every bite was a piece of heaven. Soft, juicy, and so filled with flavour. Accompanied with a side of mashed potatoes, it's a dish that would have you begging for seconds. It's l pricey but no doubt worth it.
Staff was courteous and polite and kept a respectful distance. Very professional.
Visited the Ramada twice in the past two weeks, and despite the heightened state of security nationwide especially at hotels, the Ramada did not disappoint. Kudos to a job well done.

Not that grate.
Deteriorating service level.

Simply Three "GOOD" for Ramada... 1 for hotel, 2 for food, 3 for hospitality

Reasonably priced food (compared to other surrounding hotels). Good ambience. Great location. Big plus is that you can get some food here even way after midnight.

Rooms are good. The lift was a disappointment though.

My brother's wedding was here and the arrangements were exceptional.

The pool side is a good place to chill with friends

I went for the Saturday Buffet last Saturday. This is the worst 4-5 Star buffet i have had in Colombo. It was priced at Rs 2500 net inline with the best Hotels in Colombo but the variety of food was extremely poor. Extremely disappointed and AVOID this place if you want to enjoy.

Had my son's first birthday party. Staffs are extremely treated well. Food was good as always

Rooms are very nice as recently refurbished over looking Indian Ocean

Awsome place... good food and excellent service. Staff very helpful ryt down to the security.

Comfortable bed, spacious room, and friendly staff.

Very nice location with food.. very decent hotel staff

Campare to other Star hotel, it is economic! And service also good!!

Hotel is ok, but you can not compare it to Kingsbury or Hilton, it is a lot cheaper. For a short stay it is sufficient. Rooms are a good size and the breakfast is very rich. The pool is nice and big, there is a sun and shade area.

Awsome place,freindly staff,food is awesome and very delicious

In the Galle face area. Ramada wasn't a new hotel, but it has good service and nice clean room. Every bit deserves its 4 star rating. It's almost half price of what others around the area, this a true bargain, yet still give you a good luxury feeling. Money you save can go towards shopping or spa etc

The staff were friendly and the service was excellent. Good central location.

Atmosphere is mild. Good rooms. Very good amenities. Safety precautions are decent.

Nice ambience..... Friendly staff.... Good Food.... nice place to hangout with friends.... they have shisha by the pool... a very good coffee shop/ bakery... nice gym with steam, sauna & Pool facility... the bar is really nice with a very good ambience and wonderfuly friendly and helpful staff... great place for a night out...

I stayed in this hotel with my family ( Wife and toddlers) and my experience was really good.

The location is right next to Galle Face beach ( approx. 50 mtrs) which is a prime location in Colombo.

The staff were very supportive since I was staying with my Toddlers and offered me complimentary milk for babies on my request.

The rooms are usual business rooms which are comfortable. The room service was excellent and the menu had a wide variety of dishes from Sri Lankan to Japanese to Continental.

Overall a great experience and i would like to stay again upon my next visit.

Rooms are not great but ok for the price. Pastry shop is good. Pool side is good for a beer.

The hotel has excellent Facilities and staff is courteous and helpful.

Very near to Galle face.... Nice ambiance at room... Very quiet.

Love the pool and gym and especially the great food and personalised service and they all know my name! When i go to Ramada, it Always feels like coming home. For 10 years have visited constantly and will continue. Keep up the good work!!

You get all the best restaurants inside this hotel, also an amazing coffee shop

This is a well located property right next to Taj Samudra and Galle face hotel.
There is a nice English pub, gym and a sitting area around the pool.
They serve nice sheesha/hookah near the pool side in the evenings.
There is also a spa Ceylon boutique within the hotel.