Hotel at / close to Colombo Airport?

[Edge]

Hi, I'm heading to Sri Lanka for a wedding in March. I have a flight that lands at CMB at close to midnight and I'm looking for a hotel either at the airport or as close to the airport as possible for the first night, transiting down to Galle afterwards. Any recommendations would be really appreciated.

 

[deka2]

We're staying at the The Gateway Hotel Airport Garden Colombo - Seeduwa next week for one night
Very close to the Airport and has good reviews on Tripadvisor

 

[Austman]

The Gateway Hotel Airport Garden Colombo - Seeduwa

I've stayed at this hotel and thought it was fine. Especially as a stop-over for a flight.

What's not always so fine is the airport processes (sometimes a bit of chaos) at CMB airport. Sri Lankan has a "Silk Route" (or similar) which might help business class passengers.

http://www.srilankan.com/en-US/flying-with-us/silk-route

 

[deka2]

Austman, are you talking about the chaos at arrival or departure or both.

 

[Austman]

Austman, are you talking about the chaos at arrival or departure or both.

I've been through CMB a few times. It's a bit hit and miss.

Arrivals: Sometimes a long passport control queue and some odd customs procedures but usually quite OK. Once out on the street it can be a bit chaotic with transport arrangements and it can be really HOT. It all depends a bit on what time you arrive.

Departures: The main airport entrance can be a bit zoo like at times. Sri Lankan's ticket office is literally a window on the street! Check-in is OK. Passport control can get really, really crowded with long lines (like going outside the entire area) - but no waiting at all at other times. After passport control, the general departures area is fine. Lounges are OK - Sri Lankan's is probably the best with extensive food choices. Boarding at the gate is a bit of a free-for-all push to the plane door.

I've not tried the "Silk Route".

 

[Edge]

Thanks for the feedback, Gateway looks like a nice choice.

Unfortunately flying Y on SQ, although VA gold - assume this won't allow me any type of silk route

 

[Austman]

I think I've painted a more negative picture of CMB airport than what it is. It's mostly quite OK.

Arrivals and departures are combined airside - like SIN. So there is final departure screening done at the gate areas.

Just be sure to allow enough time when departing CMB in case you catch it when it's not working so smoothly.

 

[TonyHancock]

I've not tried the "Silk Route".

The J check in area uses a different entrance. I was dropped off by a taxi at this entrance and there is a seperate check in room. I have only experienced it once and this was at about 11:00 PM. It was quiet but once checked in there did not appear to be any sort of priority immigration/customs lines. The queue were short in my case.

I would echo Austman's view that CMB can appear a little chaotic at times, but all quite manageable.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Negombo beach hotels are all quite close by , check those out. 20 mins by taxi or so.

 

[Mattg]

What's CMB like to transit through?

 

[Austman]

What's CMB like to transit through?

Easy (if any luggage is checked-through). It's a combined arrivals/departures air-side area, like SIN. You just go through security at the departure gate.

 

[emirates777]

Easy (if any luggage is checked-through). It's a combined arrivals/departures air-side area, like SIN. You just go through security at the departure gate.

Not much to do unfortunately at the airport (if you don't have lounge access). Shops are limited, but there is free wifi!

 

[bsb]

With the freeway, it's only 2 hrs to Galle, maybe just get a driver to pick you up and drive you straight here. That time of night will be a breeze as opposed to the next day which may not be.

Negambo Beach is only 10 mins away from the airport, plenty to choose from there, but the Jetwings are pretty impressive and a nice walk along the beach after breakfast and before your icky daytime drive to Galle would be nice.

 

[albatross710]

Not much to do unfortunately at the airport (if you don't have lounge access). Shops are limited, but there is free wi!

The coffee shops are an absolute ripoff pricing at the airport.

As for limited shops - it was interesting to see all of the household goods available on the arrivals concourse after immigration.

The immigration desks upon arrival seemed to have two areas. There were additional, desks to the left of the main congregation area. Next time I would do a reconnaissance to find out if those additional desks are for visitors. Not many people were using them.

In response to the OP, the idea of a direct transfer to Galle is reasonable. That's one less hotel change, time to sleep in without having to be concerned about a checkout time.

Alby

 

[Austman]

With the freeway, it's only 2 hrs to Galle

Really? Then it's improved loads since my last visit!

As for limited shops - it was interesting to see all of the household goods available on the arrivals concourse after immigration.

Duty Free.

I've asked my Sri Lankan colleagues all about those. There are rules and limits (of course) but apparently you get pretty good savings.

 

[wandering_fred]

In the end, a lot will depend on how large your budget is and how desperately you need to sleep lying down. The two and three star smaller hotels / guest houses in Negombo are quite good bargains. And you can still walk on the beach in the morning if you wish. It's just that the beach won't be in front of where you are staying. You can likely arrange for a car/driver to Negombo and then a morning pickup continuing on to Galle.

The freeways do provide a huge difference in traveling, but note that there is a small section still to be finished in the "around Colombo" segment. The real joy will be when the Kandy highway opens. But I'm wandering

Fred

 

[smit0847]

With the freeway, it's only 2 hrs to Galle, maybe just get a driver to pick you up and drive you straight here. That time of night will be a breeze as opposed to the next day which may not be.

Negambo Beach is only 10 mins away from the airport, plenty to choose from there, but the Jetwings are pretty impressive and a nice walk along the beach after breakfast and before your icky daytime drive to Galle would be nice.

I'm near Galle right now. I understand with the expressway it's less than 2 hours from the airport so I would just head straight here rather than dealing with the hassle of an airport hotel