The Ocean Front

Hotels
Independent
8.6 (75 reviews)
No. 14, Sellamuttu Avenue Colombo 3, (Marine Drive), Colombo , Colombo , LK

Facilities

Free WiFi
24-hour front desk
Terrace
Luggage storage
Designated smoking area
Concierge service
Breakfast available (surcharge)
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Free newspapers in lobby
Tours/ticket assistance
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great service
Beautiful location
Cons:
Wi-Fi issues in certain rooms

Categories

Cleanliness
8.25
The hotel is described as 'hygienic & clean' with 'decent rooms'.
Service
9.05
Staff were described as 'very lovely', 'welcoming', and 'helpful'.
Location
9.05
The hotel has 'the most magnificent views of the sea'.
Room Quality
8.65
Rooms are described as 'good' with 'new and super soft' linens.
Amenities
8.05
Amenities include a jacuzzi and pleasant views, though Wi-Fi was a downside for one guest.
Value for Money
8.55
Overall good experience for the value.
Food and Beverage
8.55
Food and beverage not specifically mentioned; assumed good quality for hotel tier.
Overall Experience
8.65
Guests expressed a strong desire to return and highly recommend the hotel.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-10 20:15

Property Description

Terrace Views and Amenities
Take in the stunning views from the terrace and make use of complimentary wireless internet and concierge services. Enjoy meals at the restaurant or grab snacks at the café, with 24-hour room service available.

Convenient Features
With amenities like complimentary newspapers, dry cleaning, and a 24-hour front desk, your stay is sure to be hassle-free. Airport shuttle services are offered, and free self parking is available onsite.

Comfortable Accommodations
Feel at home in one of the 6 air-conditioned rooms featuring modern amenities like refrigerators, free Wi-Fi, and satellite TV. Relax in private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries, and stay organized with safes and desks.

Experience the best of Colombo at The Ocean Front, centrally located just steps away from popular attractions. Book now for a memorable stay!

Important information:

Take in the views from a terrace and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access and concierge services.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Airport code: CMB

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets not allowed

  • Accessibility

    No elevators

  • General

    Professional property host/manager

  • Children and extra beds

    No cribs (infant beds) available

Location

Guest Reviews

8.6
Based on 75 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.25
Service: 9.05
Location: 9.05
Room Quality: 8.65
Amenities: 8.05
Value for Money: 8.55
Food and Beverage: 8.55
Overall Experience: 8.65
L
L3292GCalinas Friends getaway
10
Great hotel
Pros:

Very lovely employees and service. Such helpful and nice people, although we had short-term change of plans they were welcoming and supporting. Had a nice view at the Ocean which was relaxing. Wlan for free and nice clean room. Would recommend going there!

2025-09-01 via Tripadvisor
T
TimiraGupta Couples Mumbai, Maharashtra
10
Best mix of nostalgia and comfort!
Pros:

This is a sweet little hotel right on marine drive with the most magnificent views of the sea with the occasional train chugging past. The place is maintained very well. We stayed in the topmost floor in the room with a jacuzzi, which also has a gorgeous balcony. (Only downside that the wi-fi doesn’t reach the room upstairs) The beds and linen provided were fluffy and new and super soft and made you feel very very cared for! The place is managed by a wonderful manager and a very helpful team.

The ocean front hotel has the perfect nostalgic vibe for a great start or end to your holiday! We had a super stay here ❤️

2025-08-20 via Tripadvisor
S
Safari17209308000 Business
10
Peaceful and Calm
Pros:

A very peaceful place, view was amazing towards the sea. Always windy and will never make you feel hot.

Clean and decent rooms. The staff were very helpful, and manager was very friendly and flexible to needs.

If you want a place with peace, no distractions, this is the place

Will come back for sure whenever I come to Sri Lanka

2025-08-14 via Tripadvisor
S
samsA3443SI NONE
10
Very beautiful place
Pros:

Amazing place, very hygienic &clean.
Friendly staff.
The view from the hotel is amazing too.
Im happy I could stay there.

2025-08-12 via Tripadvisor
9
970hirunij Family
10
Nice Hospitality and a Pleasant Experience
Pros:

I had a good stay at this hotel. The environment felt safe and very clean throughout. The staff provided great service — they were welcoming, friendly, and always ready to help. Overall, a comfortable and pleasant experience. Would definitely recommend! Good for solo travellers too.

2025-08-02 via Tripadvisor
6
606chamindas Family Glasgow, Scotland
6
Very poor maintain apartment
Pros:

Room infested with ants, staff looking finding difficult communicate in English, AC was there but not working properly, upstairs balcony was not maintained, had loads dirt in Jacuzzi, no hot water coming jacuzzi as well. Convenient place to travel around Colombo, but not up to the standard for price we are paying. It should less than £30.00 per day. Room service not unless you ask for it, Not up to standerd at all. I want recommend any one coming here.

2025-06-13 via Tripadvisor
R
RAKdec NONE Durham, County Durham, England
8
Last night in Sri Lanka
Pros:

Last night in Sri Lanka before flying home. Situated overlooking the ocean, the staff of this hotel were extremely helpful, attentive and friendly. The rooms were pleasant with a very good ensuite bathroom. Breakfasts, both Western and Sri Lankan, were very tasty and plentiful. We really appreciated the top floor terrace with our last "Arrack" night cap! The proximity of the trains may be an issue for some but Colombo is a bustling city.

2020-02-29 via Tripadvisor
S
shantic2018 Solo travel Ottawa, Ontario
10
Comfortable beds, delicious traditional breakfast, superior customer service
Pros:

As a solo female traveler I was looking for a comfortable place to stay in Colombo. Ocean Front organized my airport pick up, took exceptional care of me while I stayed at the hotel, and helped organize my transportation to my next destination at a great price. The staff were so sweet and attentive. I always felt safe and comfortable. The traditional Sri Lankan breakfast of string hoppers with Dahl was delicious, beds were comfortable, bathrooms were clean, and the location is very central. I’d definitely stay again if I return to Colombo. Be sure to bring ear plugs as you can hear the train. Another huge benefit is it’s one block from the grocery store (Food City) and there’s a fridge in the room.

Thanks to Ocean Front for making my stay in Colombo a great one!

2019-12-20 via Tripadvisor
A
agnesfeigl Couples Tulln, Lower Austria
10
View on ocean and everyday life
Pros:

We were very satisfied with the privately-run, small hotel from which we started our Sri Lanka tour. The room was very clean and the bathroom quite stylish. Big windows open to the sea and also on the train line to Colombo city centre. We found it very interesting to see the trains passing with people on their way to work. The Sri Lanka breakfast was very tasty. We stayed two nights.

2019-12-11 via Tripadvisor
V
Verified traveler friends
6
Pros:

Multi story access to rooms with extreme railway movement noise

2019-11-09 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler self
10
Pros:

In a good location. Rooms clean and nice breakfast. Would stay here again.

2019-11-09 via Nuitee
F
fionayogablu NONE
10
A Colombo gem!
Pros:

Loved my stay here. Very comfy room and bed (slept like a baby), ocean view, sparkling clean, delicious breakfast and fantastic service by the staff. Great location with all you need (including meals) within walking distance or easy hailing of a tuk tuk. Transport to the airport was arranged for me at a very reasonable rate. Can't fault a thing and I will happily return when I am back in Colombo.

2019-11-07 via Tripadvisor
J
James
8
Pros:

A little bit out of the centre, probably is best described as a 2.5 star hotel, considering that the Galle Face is a 4 star hotel.

2019-10-27 via Nuitee
T
tbinny NONE
10
Evening Sunsets
Pros:

the rooms we Clean, its a quite place inside, morning evening you may get some vehicular traffic, but nice ambience inside, good breakfast, great staff, good restaurants nearby, super market also nearby

2019-09-30 via Tripadvisor
V
Verified traveler self
4
Pros:

掲載されている写真とは少しイメージが異なりました。
海沿いで近くにスーパーもあり素敵なのですが、
建物に重厚感はなく、夜は周囲の音がよく聞こえ、あまり寝付けませんでした。

また、バスルームは広々きれいで、シャンプーなどのアメニティもあり良かったのですが、
バスタオルの端が破れていて残念でした。

建物は、入り口でインターホンを鳴らし開けてもらいます。
朝食付きで予約しており、量もたっぷり出してくださり
美味しくて満足でした。

2019-09-28 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler family
6
Pros:

Warm water didn’t use!
Tvset can’t using!
It’s so sory this time.

2019-08-09 via Nuitee
Y
yasminm495 Couples Al Khor
10
Good choice to stay in Colombo
Pros:

The staff were friendly and very helpful. Thanks to the recommendation of the manager we were able to get a good driver who took us almost everywhere. Our room had a jacuzzi with a view on the ocean. The location too is worth mentioning as it is close to many restaurants as well as the heart of Colombo.

2019-06-09 via Tripadvisor
4
443beckc Solo travel West Kirby, Wirral, Merseyside, England
10
Great Hotel!
Pros:

Only stayed here for 1 night but I really enjoyed the place. As soon as I arrived the staff were really helpful and helped me organise the rest of my trip with help with train times, booking etc. The room was nice and roomy with nice decor. The location was nice by the sea and next to a shop. I ate here in the evening too and enjoyed a lovely vegetarian meal. Can't recommend enough!

2019-05-04 via Tripadvisor
V
Verified traveler
2
Pros:

It can be improved big time
They have fantastic view
But the property is very old and not satisfying
Not recommended at all

2019-04-17 via Nuitee
C
Compass610702 Family
10
Fantastic
Pros:

First time in Sri Lanka, we stayed in this hotel for eight nights, excellent service, kind stuff, helpfull managment. Very clean room, comfortable beds, beautiful bathrooms, tasty breakfast...will come back for sure!! Keep doing an amazing job!

2019-04-14 via Tripadvisor