Staff was very helpful.

Stayed in August 2025

The facilities are a little rundown but it was perfect for our short stay.

The hotel is close to Maradana railway station so it was easy to catch our train the next day. The bed was clean and comfortable. The room was large and the aircon worked well. There was a TV with a variety of channels. The inner courtyard is very pretty with plants and flowers. It has a slightly colonial vibe. The staff were friendly and welcoming.

Stayed in August 2025

Road noise if you’re in the rooms close to the road.

Lovely staff and we were able to check in late. Very close to Maradana train station. Chandra was so friendly and helpful.

Stayed in August 2025

Neighborhood, location

Big spacious room, very nice staff

Stayed in July 2025

Small things only: There was a kettle and mugs but no tea. Also no shampoo or bodywash in the shower

Very clean and simple room.

Stayed in July 2025

The hotel is located in a busy area of the city.

The best part of our stay was the staff. Specially Mr. Stanley at the front desk and Mr. Chander. Everybody else was also very good to us. We had a very good breakfast every day. Hotel restaurant also serves good food.

Stayed in July 2025

The facilities were exceptionally good for the price.

Stayed in May 2025

Overall felt a little expensive compared to other places we’ve stayed but perhaps that’s just a Colombo thing

Comfortable hotel for our one night stay, close to the train station so useful for ongoing transport. Room was bigger than expected and comfortable. We had breakfast there too for ease and the portions were generous.

Stayed in April 2025

Noisy fan in room. Bathroom with smelly drain. Limited breakfast options (American or continental breakfast only), though it was the holiday period I guess.

The staff were fabulous. We arrived very late on a public holiday and were well looked after by Mr Chandra. The next day Mr Stanley was exceptionally helpful in guiding us to the train station, buying tickets, and on to the right train to Ahangama. Genuinely helpful and supportive, making this experience so much easier for us.

Stayed in April 2025

Close to train station, not so nice area to stay longer. Comfortable apartment but definitely require some upgrades and better cleaning.

Stayed in April 2025

The hotel is dated and needs refurbishing but this is reflected in the price.

Mr Stanley and his staff were exceptional. Very friendly and they went out of their way to be helpful. The rooms were very large with big beds, comfy pillows and good aircon. A TV too. The shower was hot and there were clean towels. We walked from Colombo station and it took about 30 minutes. The reception area is large and cool with comfortable seating. I would stay here again.

Stayed in March 2025

Due to a sudden change of plans, this was our second stay at Shalimar Hotel in less than one month. We enjoyed our staying here this time around even more then our first stay. The staff are knowledgeable, efficient, polite, yet friendly, and go above and beyond to meet guests' requests. The food at the hotel's restaurant is good. Rooms are spacious, clean and nicely decorated; beds are comfortable. The hotel is located in downtown, close to many local restaurants, shops, mini markets and the Lotus Tower and next to Maradana Train Station.

Stayed in April 2025

There is no elevator, so people needing special accessibility may have an issue. Payments are cash only. Hotel entrance doors are closed at late night hours but there is a door-bell at the entrance which can alert the staff inside who will open the doors then.

Location is very lively and central and many transport options are easily available. Staff is extremely helpful especially Mr. Chandra and Mr. Stanley. Restaurant has good food options and halal food is available. Room and hotel overall has an old school vibe but well-kept and comfortable. Housekeeping was done daily and room service for food is available.

Stayed in April 2025

Well located and felt very welcome.

Staff is amazingly helpful

Stayed in April 2025

The furniture in the rooms needs some refurbishment, most rooms could use a paint job.

This is a really stylish hotel with an interesting and beautiful architecture and a retro vibe. The hotel is located in downtown, a 5 - 10 minute walk to many local restaurants and local mini markets and the Lotus Tower. Our room was spacious, luminous and very clean with a comfortable bed. The bathroom is basic, but modern and functional, with hot running water at all times. The staff are very polite, problem – solving oriented and efficient. The food at the the hotel’s restaurant is good and reasonably priced. The drinks are also very affordable.

Stayed in March 2025

Nothing

Clean comfortable room. Very close to train station. Nice staff.

Stayed in February 2025

The hotel has a very nice yard and good staff. Everything depends on a room, we changed for a good one near the yard and everything was okay there. The manager was kind and very helpful, thank you!

Stayed in March 2025

Restaurant. The staff was very nice but there was a poor choice of dishes especially for solo travellers

It is one of those places that even if not perfect in everything, you would go back. The rooms are nice and clean. Kettle with coffee and tea available in the rooms. Aircon and mosquito coil. The hotel has a very nice style. Best thing? Staff, especially Mr Stanley. He made sure I took the right bus, provided useful info and changed my room when I asked.

Stayed in February 2025

Cleanliness could be a bit better The property is a bit old

Awesome location, friendly staff, the Air conditioning in the room is really good - allowed me to checkout late

Stayed in February 2025

The proximity to the train station was great The room was comfortable and the air conditioning was very much appreciated

Stayed in February 2025

It is a charming low budget place, so it didn't bother me that much that it looked worn-out, but would recommend some furniture cleaning. The water pressure in the bathroom was low, but it worked out.

The stuff was very kind and attentive. The facility itself not in the best state, but our room was clean. Good and filling breakfast, the location was convenient for getting around.

Stayed in February 2025

Not the best area, but once you're parked and inside, you don't feel it. And the pricing matches the area, so I felt it was good value

Shalimar Hotel is an old school, charming place which ended up being one of our favorite stops in Sri Lanka. It had all the facilities we wanted - aircon, flat screen TV, hot shower, comfy bed, kettle, parking, a restaurant onsite. It's also quite central, close to most of the city's sites, like Pettah Market, Lotus Tower... the staff were friendly. It's not perfect, but you can see they are working on making it even better.

Stayed in January 2025

Room was not good

If you need to catch a flight. You are good to go.

Stayed in January 2025

The staff was super helpful and did everything they could to make my stay comfortable

Stayed in January 2025