Cinnamon Life: The Ultimate Fusion Of Art, Luxury And Colombo’s Vibrant City Life

Colombo is no longer just a pit stop on your way to the beaches—it’s now a must-visit destination in its own right. At the heart of this transformation stands Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, a dazzling resort and entertainment hub by the John Keells Group. Designed by British Sri Lankan artist and designer Cecil Balmond, Cinnamon Life is a stunning architectural masterpiece that seamlessly blends modern design with cultural elements to create a distinctive resort experience. With sophisticated accommodations, world-class dining, and sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, Cinnamon Life embodies Colombo’s lively spirit. 

Getting There

Cinnamon Life is within walking distance from Galle Face Green, Colombo’s ocean-side urban park. It is a 45-minute drive from the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, ensuring a seamless arrival for discerning travellers. With direct flights from major Indian cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, and Bengaluru, and convenient connections from Asia and beyond, exploring Colombo has never been more effortless.

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Stunning Ocean Views Await In Every Suite

The resort is home to 687 elegant rooms and suites, designed to immerse guests in absolute comfort. The guest rooms feature a modern, ocean-inspired design with elegant furnishings and a soothing neutral colour palette that harmonizes with the surrounding natural landscape. The suites and rooms are divided into the Cityscape and Oceanfront categories and have expansive windows offering awe-inspiring views of the Indian Ocean, Beira Lake, or Colombo City. They also house modern light fixtures, arresting artworks, and expansive, marble-clad bathrooms. The resort’s suites comprise a freestanding soaking tub for the ultimate spa-like experience. 

A World Of Diverse Culinary Delights

Guests at Cinnamon Life are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options. The property has twelve diverse restaurants and bars, including five speciality establishments, serving the best of regional and international cuisine. The hotel’s team of expert chefs craft a plethora of delectable cuisines, including French, Japanese, American, traditional Sri Lankan, and Indian.

The eateries consist of Quizine, an all-day, multi-cuisine eatery; Yoroko, a fine dining restaurant serving Japanese cuisine for dinner; Bistro des Marées, a French fare bistro; Staten Bar & Grill, an American steakhouse; Cloud Wine, an intimate wine bar; and Dreams & Beats, a rooftop drinks venue overlooking the property’s infinity pool and the Indian Ocean. At Quizine, we recommend ordering Sri Lankan dishes made using local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. 

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For an upscale Robatayaki dining experience, head to Yoroko. At Bistro des Marées, don’t miss the Beetroot Salad, Tuna Tartare, Pesto Barramundi, and Chicken and Truffle Risotto. In addition to its current offerings, the hotel is poised to elevate its culinary landscape further with the opening of additional dining experiences in the coming months. 

A Rich Connection With The Local Art

Conceptualised by British-Sri Lankan architect Cecil Balmond, Cinnamon Life’s architecture and interiors pay homage to the country’s rich cultural heritage through their curation of art and incorporation of raw textures in design. Strategically situated in the heart of Colombo’s evolving urban landscape, the property is a gallery of over 1,000 commissioned museum-grade artworks. 

The initiative aims to celebrate and preserve Sri Lankan artistic heritage by showcasing the work of renowned local artists. Artwork highlights include works by leading Sri Lankan artists, including Anoli Perera, Chandraguptha Thenuwara, Chathurika Jayani, Chudamani Clowes, Gayan Prageeth, Halik Azeez, Hema Shironi, Firi Rahman, Jagath Ravindra, Muvindu Binoy, and Pala Pothupitiya.

​​The hotel’s expert team also curates distinctive experiences for visitors, which include guided tours, sunset cruises, seaplane rides or sightseeing excursions of the nearby Thalangama Wetlands, Cathedral Gardens, and Bolgoda Lake. The guided tours feature tours of the city’s rich historical sites, vibrant art scene, thriving drinking culture, and music scene. 

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Final Thoughts 

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams will open to the public in two phases. The primary complex was unveiled on October 15, 2024, and the second phase, featuring a shopping mall, a casino, and an upscale 113-key Nuwa hotel, will debut in mid-2025. Thanks to its location, amenities and service, this hotel is perfect for business and leisure travellers looking for an inclusive experience in the capital city of Sri Lanka.  

# DP Loves

# 1 The hotel’s guest rooms and suites offer panoramic vistas of the Indian Ocean and Colombo skyline. They are conceptualised to capture natural light, exhibiting the hues from dawn to dusk. 

#2 Drawing inspiration from Japanese aesthetics, Yoroko houses a blend of grey and red granite, wood, and delicate Shoji screens, which creates a serene and intimate dining experience, with private enclaves within the space.

#3 The rooftop infinity pool at Dreams & Beats blurs the line between water and sky. It’s the perfect spot to witness Colombo’s beautiful sunset.

#4 ​​​​The exclusive collection of restaurants and bars offers scrumptious dishes and a distinctive ambience for every mood.

#5 The hotel is home to a living gallery of over 1,000 commissioned museum-grade artworks.