ITC Ratnadipa

ITC Ratnadipa is a recent addition to Colombo's seafront and one of its most ambitious hotels. It stands between the Indian Ocean and Beira Lake, next to the Galle Face precinct, at 21 Galle Face Centre Road in Colombo 1, and it is run by ITC Hotels. The hotel has 352 rooms and suites and holds LEED Platinum certification for sustainable building.

Its signature feature is the Sky Bridge, which carries infinity pools about 100 metres above the ground, with views over the ocean and Beira Lake. Ahasa, a tapas and finger-food bar, is also on the Sky Bridge. Lower down, Jala Anganaya is a pool bar on the fourth level serving snacks and juices. The Kaya Kalp spa, which the hotel calls The Royal Spa, offers Ayurvedic and international treatments, and the fitness centre is open 24 hours. There is even a helipad.

Food and drink are a major strength. The Indian Ocean Pavilion is the all-day restaurant, with seven cuisine theatres, and there are three destination restaurants: Peshawri for Northwest Frontier cooking, Avartana for progressive South Indian fine dining in the evening, and Yi Jing for Chinese. The Islander serves seafood with a rooftop bar, the Oyster Bar opens from 5.30pm to 11pm, the Silvertips Bar specialises in Ceylon teas, high tea, finger food and club cuisine, and Nutmeg sells sweet and savoury baking.

The hotel is roughly 35 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport, so allow for traffic on arrival, and note that the hotel lists toll-free reservation numbers as well as its Colombo line. It suits luxury travellers, food lovers and families who want a resort-style pool in the middle of the city. Reservations can be made by phone or through ITC's reservations email, and the restaurants, especially Avartana and Peshawri, are worth booking in advance.

Gangaramaya Temple is about 1.7 kilometres away, so it is easy to reach by tuk-tuk, as are the Seema Malakaya and the Lotus Tower around Beira Lake. Galle Face Green is on the doorstep for an evening walk, and the Fort district, with the Old Dutch Hospital, Ministry of Crab and the Pettah markets beyond, is a short ride north.