The Residence

Where city life hums and history lingers, Uga Residence Colombo offers something rare among luxury hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This is not a large chain hotel. It’s a low-rise, intimate boutique retreat with personal service and genuine charm.

Hidden between leafy Park Street and the lakeside Gangarama Buddhist Temple, Uga Residence sits inside one of the last 19th-century mansions in Colombo. Once home to Sheikh Salehboy Moosajee, its grand rooms once hosted governors, maharajas and high society. Today, it has been carefully restored as an exclusive eleven-suite boutique hotel, where peace and quiet feel far removed from the busy streets of Colombo city.

The location is central, just 40 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport, making it one of the best hotels in Colombo for the start or end of your Sri Lanka itinerary. Colombo’s shops, business districts, art galleries, restaurants and cafés are close by. But inside, the pace slows. This makes it the perfect place to recover after a long flight, or to pause before flying home. You may not stay here for your full trip, but it is much more than just a stopover. It helps you gently settle into Sri Lanka’s rhythm.

The eleven luxury suites are large and welcoming. Ten Park Suites offer 75 sqm of space, while the Residence Suite spans 176 sqm. All feature separate living rooms, bedrooms, and private outdoor dining areas. Interiors mix warm lighting, ornate furnishings, rich wood and hand-woven Belgian rugs. Bathrooms include rain showers and oversized vanities. Every suite comes with modern comforts: espresso machines, Sri Lankan teas, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and minibars.

Dining is a highlight. Rare Bar & Kitchen is often regarded as one of Colombo’s best restaurants. The menu blends authentic Sri Lankan cuisine with international favourites. You can dine indoors or al fresco, depending on your mood. The bar channels the glamour of a tropical past, with cocktails inspired by Maugham and Hemingway. A cigar bar and private spaces add to the sense of old-world charm. For full flexibility, 24-hour room service is available – perfect for those weary after travelling.

Beyond the hotel, Colombo offers much to explore. Wander through colonial quarters, browse artisan shops, visit Buddhist temples, explore Dutch-era museums, or stroll the palm-lined Galle Face promenade. At the heart of the hotel is a peaceful courtyard with an outdoor 16m swimming pool, ideal for cooling off while acclimatising after your arrival in Sri Lanka. Evenings are for relaxed dinners, quiet swims, or unwinding under the frangipani trees. High tea here is popular, often attracting Colombo’s well-heeled ladies who gather for an elegant afternoon.

This is everything a city hotel in Colombo should be. Private, calm, charming and hard to find. Uga Residence is a true retreat in the middle of the city, offering warmth, history and authentic Sri Lankan hospitality.

Why Book Uga Residence Colombo? Because it gives you something many city hotels in Colombo cannot: space, calm and charm. With just eleven suites, excellent food, personal service, and a location that offers both peace and easy access to Colombo’s best attractions, Uga Residence is the perfect boutique hotel to begin or end your Sri Lankan journey.

Many of our guests travel to Sri Lanka as part of a wider journey, taking in multiple regions to experience the island’s extraordinary diversity. The Residence is often just one stop on a much broader tailor-made itinerary — whether it’s the starting point for adventures inland or a final moment of calm before flying home. To explore how this property might fit into your own bespoke journey, visit the ‘Tailor-Made Itineraries’ tab or get in touch — we’d be delighted to help you make the most of your time on this vast and varied island.