Vihanga P.
The room was comfortable and we felt safe at Ceylon Travel and Stay Lodge, but several things made our stay disappointing. The bathroom smelled strongly unpleasant and had ants in it, so we had to ask for an air freshener. We also found the hospitality disappointing. On our first visit, the staff member we dealt with seemed judgmental and not very welcoming. We came back for a second visit hoping things would be better, but the same concerns remained. The payment calls were a constant interruption. The owner wanted the bill settled, and we got multiple calls while we were out enjoying our trip. When we extended for one more night because we were tired from travelling, it happened again. We understand payments need to be made, but being contacted repeatedly made us feel distrusted even though we were staying there. If payment is due right away, it would be more professional to collect it when guests arrive. The gates were another issue. They were usually shut around 9-10 PM, and we were called to ask where we were so they could close them. Security matters, but this made it hard to enjoy Colombo in the evening. The website advertises a 24/7 front desk, but the access and flexibility we expected weren't there in practice. Anyone wanting to explore at night or return late should know about this limit. This was a two-night stay, followed by an extra night, during our recent trip. The property may suit families or people who want somewhere quiet and secure, but for couples or travellers wanting more freedom in the evening and relaxed, welcoming service, it may not be a good fit. We appreciated feeling safe and having decent accommodation, but the repeated interruptions, feeling of distrust, bathroom problems, and poor hospitality affected the visit enough that we don't plan to return. This is our honest experience.
