Mount Lavinia Hotel Review

Good opportunity to be there for a little bit time.

Incredibly beautiful building, good food, excellent views, but the accomodations are not on par with the rest, mostly just because the building is really old and hasn't been updated recently. The views though. . .

One of the oldest hotels in Sri Lanka...offering the best services at very attractive prices
Mount Lavinia hotel is a really good hotel to stay in for foreigners and local who mainly expect food and privacy
As all star hotels they re a bit pricey but nevertheless they re services are really good
Will recommend it to anyone who comes from abroad
They have a really nice swimming pool just next to the sea as well!!!

Nice area for a walk on the veach and views from the eating area, try to go on a clear sunny day as lots of views to be seen here over the water.

Use to love this place, but lately the service is kind of poor (before time they removed some food from the buffet), there was no much of a verity. It was a utter disappointment. Not too sure if I wish to go there again.

Nice place to relax and enjoy dinner with the family and friends. Good choice value for money. Over looking the ocean breeze.

A lovely place. The doormen greet you with the warmest of welcomes and you enter an enchanting and fabulous colonial reception lobby. A fatastic pool overlooking the sea and Colombo. Great restaurant with dinner by the pool. Live music, watch the sunset and just relax. There is a private beach as well with the best ever seafood restaurant.

The Christmas Eve lunch and Boxing Day dinner were both well-priced at Rs.3,600/- each because the spread was wide and the variety of food was great.
The staff was very polite, quick to oblige with anything needed by a customer. I saw an elderly doorman helping to move tables and chairs so as to accommodate customer requests to be seated together!

Hotel with excellent ocen view, Train running underneath a small bridge which is the entrance to the hotel. Paradise beach which is a part of the hotel provides beautiful view of ocean in the morning as well at night. Seafood Cove market provides selection of fresh catches from Indian Ocean which the chef prepares in the form of mouth watering dishe and serves you while you enjoy the evening in light live music and the sound of waves.

We have visited the place in the evening. It was a part of the tour organized by local person. We tried desserts in the restaurant and heard a few stories about this historical place. I strongly recommend to read them once you are there as they are quite interesting. Hotels itself has amazing views, great service, spacious terrace and most importantly affordable prices for tourists. If I would have known it earlier I would have stayed there.

In 1805 Sir Thomas Maitland was appointed as the second Governor of British Ceylon. He had acquired land at "Galkissa" (Mount Lavinia) and decided in 1806 to construct a personal residence there.

Legend has it that at a welcoming party held in his honour upon his arrival in the island he saw Lovina Aponsuwa, a local mestizo dancer, whose father was the headman of the dancing troupe. Maitland fell in love with Aponsuwa, who had been born to Portuguese and Sinhalese parents. During construction, the governor arranged to build a secret tunnel between Aponsuwa's house which was located nearby, one end inside her house and the other inside his wine cellar, so that the lovers could meet in secret.

Sir James Mackintosh, a friend of the Governor, wrote in 1810 that it was "a bungalow of one storey, rustic on the outside, but handsomely laid out, and furnished beautifully".

Sir Thomas Maitland was recalled from Ceylon in 1811 and appointed the Governor of Malta, where he died a bachelor.

The statue of 'Lady' Lavinia, as the girl later became known, can be found in the middle of a water fountain at the entrance of the hotel.

The next Governor, Sir Robert Brownrigg recommended a further purchase of the surrounding land, 35 acres (14 ha) from 14 landowners for 18,000 Rix dollars.

Sir Edward Barnes during his second term as Governor, undertook significant extensions and improvements to the building.[1] "Barnes set to work on his grand plans. Mount Lavinia was to be his ultimate creation; a magnificent residence fit for the Grand Master, such as Versailles was to Louis XIV".[2]

British military engineers redesigned the house on the lines of an Italian villa. Captain Edward Sanderson of the Royal Engineers, was the designer and master builder under Barnes watchful eye. The building was modelled on the Banqueting House in Whitehall, a creation of architect Inigo Jones, also known as the English Palace .[2] The Banqueting House was refurbished by architect Sir John Soane. "Not only does the date of the refacing of the Banqueting House coincide perfectly with the building of Mount Lavinia but a marked similarity in style is also apparent between the two buildings. Inigo Jones had used the Ionic and Corinthian orders, the height of urban sophistication. At Mount Lavinia, which offered a country setting, Sanderson used the simpler Doric order and superimposed the Ionic. This pattern had been used by Palladio in building his Palazzo Chiericati in Vicenza, Italy."[2]

The works were completed in 1830 however in 1831 Barnes was appointed as Commander in-Chief in India. His successor Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton chose not to reside at Mount Lavinia and it was therefore recommended that the building be disposed of. In 1842 the British government sold the building at auction, with Rev. Dr. John MacVicar, the Colonial Chaplain purchasing it. The mansion was subsequently converted into an asylum for the insane.

In 1877 the government constructed a railway line along the coast (the second railway line in Ceylon). The railway line passed in front of Mount Lavinia, connecting the house directly to the harbor at Colombo. Seeing the potential for profit, developers bought the dilapidated mansion and turned it into an opulent hotel, The Mount Lavinia Grand Hotel. Later two additional wings were added to the building.

In 1927 the hotel was purchased by Arthur Ephraums, the owner of several other prestigious hotels, The Globe Hotel, The Bristol Hotel and the Whitehorse Hotel in Colombo, and was managed by Cargills & Co.[3]

In 1939 following the commencement of World War II Ceylon, the center of the British Empire s rubber supply, quickly became a priority for the Allies and a target for the Axis forces. The Mount Lavinia Hotel was commandeered as a supply base and military hospital by the British Army.

The hotel was sold in 1944 to Ceylon Hotels Corporation Ltd and later in 1948, the year in which Ceylon achieved Independence; the hotel was sold to H. J. Pilbrow and then sold again in 1955 to Mr. P. A. Ediriweera.[3]

Went there for a wedding. Had a great time and the food was delicious

Avoid Indian buffet night. Not the best of it. Does need to improve standards.

Comparison to food quality is poor. The variety for desserts was amazing. But the core food range is limited.

For the ambience you might stick to this.

Great place. Food good but not as good as the place itself.

I went for dinner tonight 8 Dec 2017 at the Governor's Restaurant. A buffet was on. I ate the salad buffet. It was yum. More importantly the staff were very friendly.

Picture I uploaded were captured by Mr.Upul Agbo Hewawitharana.

This hotel has a private beach with security. Plus, the room is comfortable. The staff is friendly. You can have a good view of sunset at the swimming pool or the beach. The fitness center is well-maintained. Although this hotel is very old hotel, it is well-maintained and wifi signal is good.

Without a doubt, this is one of the best hotels in Sri Lanka. You can find finest food menus in Sri Lanka here.
Has elegant looking reception halls and a tourists attraction as well.

The architecture and historical link is key point to the hotel.

A lovely place. Good food. After Easter attack they have come down in their prices

The hotel is for name sake 5* hotel. It's not worth to be a 2* in terms of service. First of all their Colonial which is categories as unique with antiques furniture are having pathetic rooms. Surprisingly at 12 am, suddenly water starts draining from ducks. All of you are smart enough to judge. My first and last visit. Now if you want to spoil your and family mood than do visit this hotel. I won't for sure.

It's an old colonial era,a five star hotel fantastic and marvellous

A romantic place with beach fun for kids. Terrace is the best relaxing place in late evening and night

Few days ago I had the chance to visit this historical romantic hotel (Hope everyone knows the Metland- Lavinia story). Yes it's elegant and colonial architecture is visible everywhere. I expected more but only saw the oldness. Anyway the view from the balcony is amazing. The staff is also helpful. food menu is also great

Variety of restaurants catering different types of cuisine. Lovely banquet hall which has preserved the its historic identity. Lovely beach view and the seafood restaurant is a must try.

My visit this time to Mount Lavinia Hotel was somewhat disappointing compared to previous occasions. The hotel is in much need of a face lift and maintanence

Reasonable buffet with a variety. Superb service by the staff. We can select the place we want to sit & have dinner by booking in advance.
It's a unique hotel with a romantic history. So many ancient things can be seen inside. Lovely photographic views all over the hotel.

Wonderful food old rooms with good comfort and very nice location

Super place to stay. Huts type Restaurants made on the seashore is awesome for candle light dinner

Unforgettable hotel. Awesome hospitality and great food at Governers Restaurant.

Nice hotel with great sea view. Good food. Rooms are bit dated.

While the food had a good spread, the hotel could use some reburshing. Perhaps more training in the front office receptionist can be provided and also more cleanliness in the rooms. Otherwise, it is a beautiful building with a beautiful view.

This is not first class hotel. My room was ocean view. It is very noisy outside room. Sri lankan labors work slowly with talking each others to consolidate newyear's eve. It is very noisy. So the hotel rank would be lower because of lack of moral and manner.

Colonial style oceanfront hotel very charming rooms would need a refreshing used carpets and housekeeping left very rich buffet and good breakfast also helpful but a little slow staff

This is an historic old hotel which used to be the home of the British governor, situated on a rocky promontory a few mile south of Colombo.

Nice feel about this hotel, beautiful sea views and a sense of history.

This is a very famous hotel in Sri Lanka near to Colombo . Parking space is available . Food choice are not limited (You can have local food , Western , Indian , Chinese and etc ). Breakfast ,lunch and dinner available. Cleanliness is excellent . Price levels are average for a top level hotel . Recommend for both locals and foreigners who need a place to spend your holidays in a peaceful sunny beachside.

This is a cozy place to have your evening tea with a decent variety of options for high tea at a reasonable prize. The colonial atmosphere is also quite evident and good place to relax by the sea.

NOT RECOMMENDED TO PUBLIC, DUE TO SERVICE & FOOD QUALITY OF THIS HOTEL.

Beautiful, stunning location; excellent facilities and ambience. A little bit tired in places.

I go out of my way to take! A trip to the most scenic ocean view in Colombo area.