OZO Colombo

Opened in 2014 with a vibe and decor found more often in the western world -- picture sleek lines and curves, mirrors, a slick minimalist look, and walls of floor-to-ceiling windows that give way to spectacular pano views of Colombo and the sea -- OZO Colombo quickly became one of the capital's hippest hotels. While it's decor, vibe, and branding call out to a younger, more stylish, and in-the-know clientele, you're still likely to find families with small children and guests bordering their golden years roaming the dark (and loud) halls, heaping plates at the eighth-floor buffet, or lounging in the uber-modern, bright white lobby. The twenty-and-thirty-somethings are found in high concentration around the rooftop pool during the day and in the plush and industrial nightclub lounge after hours. Unlike a lot of super-chic hotels, OZO avoids falling into the "style over substance" trap by actually working functionality into the elements of the decor; examples include in-room swinging flat-screen TVs that you can order room service from, built-in tablets for check-in at reception, and a plexiglass perimeter on the rooftop deck. 

OZO Colombo's 14-story high rise sits on the corner of Station Road and Clifford Place in the ever-growing neighborhood of Colombo 4. The hotel is well-located to sights, shopping, a few top local restaurants, the beach, and transportation hubs. Out front, Station Road separates the hotel from a main railroad track and the rocky coastline, making for some nice picturesque sunset views over the Indian Ocean (plenty of tourists and guests alike can be found scattered on the rocks with cameras out). All within a 10- to 15-minute car ride you'll find the Dutch Hospital shopping complex (home of the famous Ministry of Crab restaurant), Colombo Museum, Galle Face Green, over-a-century-old Gangaramaya Temple, Zoological Gardens, and the National Museum. Wellawatta Train Station is 10 minutes away by car, the closest bus station is a 10-minute walk, and a popular beach is just a 10 minutes' walk down the road. The international airport is about an hour north by car. 

At OZO Colombo, you can expect all 158 incredibly stylish and modern rooms to have comfy pillow-top king or twin beds, 40-inch adjustable flat-screen TVs with room service ordering and other built-in capabilities, tons of light from large (un-openable) picture windows (most with great city and/or sea views), multimedia centers with HDMI and USB input and multi-country wall outlets, blackout curtains, minibars (filled upon request), coffee- and tea-making facilities, Breeze Spa toiletry kits, rainfall showers, flashlights, and free glass bottles of water. Sleep Rooms are the standard category and only have city views. Upgrading to a Dream Room gives you a partial sea view and the option to have connecting rooms -- the only category with this possibility. Further bumps up in category include full ocean views in the Dream Ocean Rooms and separated dining, living, and bedroom areas in the larger Ozo Suites. Rooms are decorated in white and various tones of beige for a relaxing, sophisticated, and open feel and look. All furniture reflects a contemporary take on mid-century modern style with sleek lines, sharp angles, and simplicity. Rooms are carpeted while bathrooms are tiled and have glass tiled mosaic accents, frosted glass walls, and polished ceramic sinks. Rooms themselves are surprisingly quiet, especially considering the loud hallway noise and frequent trains that pass just across the street. Some rooms have handicap-accessible.

OZO's beach isn't the kind where you'll find tons of sand (or any sand, actually), loungers or umbrellas, or people lounging or swimming. In fact, to call it a beach may be a little misleading as it's just a small area, right across the main rail tracks, with large rocks against lapping, sometimes stormy, waves. Instead of bikinis and towels, guests come armed with cameras and selfie sticks to snap pics against the gorgeous horizon -- especially at sunset. If you're looking for a traditional beach, local favorite Wellawatta Beach is just an eight-minute walk south along the tracks or main road. 

The designers of OZO have done a good job of highlighting the building's strengths. Mainly taking advantage of the high-floor vantage points, some of the most memorable and inspiring features of the hotel are its wide-stretching panoramic views of both the city and the sea. Located on the 8th floor, the hotel's main restaurant Eat has floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, giving expansive views over Colombo on the sides and out toward the ocean from the front. The views only get higher and better when you reach the 14th floor where the hotel's contemporary TONE gym, ON14 lounge area, and bar all have panel after panel of huge picture windows. However, the icing on the cake is outside, on the pool deck, where windows disappear and the panoramic views come with a bit of sunshine and breeze. The infinity pool itself feels a bit narrow, but the fact that the water reaches all the way to the edge -- meaning only a glass barrier separates you from the ground 14 stories below -- can spice up a dull day. For the less adventurous, there are a few unpadded wooden loungers lining the other side of the pool as well as a good amount of contemporary wicker bar stools, tables and chairs, and shady umbrellas. ON14 is a split bar and lounge space with a casual but cool bar -- one side serving drinks and quick pub-like eats to those at the pool and rooftop deck during the day, and a dark, club lounge side with metal walls and chairs, purple crushed velvet cushions, polished gray tile floors, and a DJ booth pumping into the night. There's also a handy EAT2GO convenience station down by reception with water, soft drinks, coffee, and quick-grab snacks like sandwiches, salads, and parfaits.  There are daily drink and happy hour specials at the bar, free Wi-Fi, and guest computer stations in the lobby, and excursions can be arranged via the front desk. And, there's a set of (hellishly slow) elevators to carry you up and down the 14 floors.