Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo

This historic boutique oozes sophistication from the moment you pass through the tall gated entrance, move past the massive well-landscaped and high-hedged courtyard, and step foot into the lobby lounge with its marbled columns, chandeliers, grand piano, and worn black leather couches. There's also a host of decorative sculptures resting on furniture or collecting sun on the window sills. Meticulously placed flowers and shaped shrubs help to give a boost of life to the space, as well as soften the vibe. The entire boutique is filled with deep earthy colors, and leather, stone, marble, and wood accents. 

It's not surprising that wandering through the property can feel like you are simply meandering through a stately home; this building was originally built in 1932 as the home of a doctor. He was later kicked out in order to turn the residence into military housing for 100 Ceylon soldiers just 10 years later. Unfortunately, this caused much damage to the house, which was then sold to Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike. The house was then used as a home for his son, Solomon West Ridgeway Bandaranaike, who later became prime minister of Ceylon and was eventually shot on the verandah in 1959. In 1960, the world found its first female prime minister in S.R.W. Bandaranaike's widow, Sirimavo. 

In 2005, the residence was leased out to create a small boutique hotel. Some of the more notable guests in its time have included the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, who stayed in two of the second-floor suites, now known as the Royal Suites. 

Tintagel Colombo is located in Colombo 7's Cinnamon Gardens neighborhood. This area is home to several embassies and business headquarters, making it a popular place for both politicians and prominent businessmen to live. This makes Tintagel a convenient location for business travelers and political guests, while it is also just a five to 10-minute drive to tourist spots like Viharamahadevi Park, National Museum, Galle Face Green, and the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct. Bandaranaike International Airport is about 40 minutes north in Negombo (where there's also a large beach town area), while the city of Galle, home to the famous Dutch Fort, is two hours south. 

Each of the 10 suites has high ceilings, personal outdoor space, luxe and large bathrooms with showers and tubs, and individual style and decor consisting of smooth colors like mocha, beige, cream, black, indigo, and chocolate. There are only three rooms on the ground floor (two Executive Suites and one Superior Suite); all rooms have individual names as well as their own perks. For example, the North West Suite has its own personal plunge pool and guests in the Royal Suites can forever claim to have laid their heads on the same beds as the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Otherwise, the main differences between the two categories is the bonus of iPod docks in the Superior Suites, and the noticeably larger size of the Executive Suites. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, rainfall showers, and some kind of personal outdoor space. 

Aside from the rich history, guests here can also expect a small outdoor pool that's good for dipping or doing (short) laps; a small fitness room with a few weights, yoga mats, TV, cardio machines, and off-room steam room; an even smaller massage room; quintessential leather-seated and leather-bound book library; and various car and tour services.

For food, guests can grab all-day dining with gourmet-style international dishes from the large and casual outdoor dining terrace, The Court Yard, or (with the same menu) the much snazzier The Dining Room. There's also a small and very dim lounge bar called The Red Bar. This spot feels like something you would find in Dracula's castle -- bronze tables, velvet chairs, leather stools, and a concrete bar topped with a couple of brass candelabras. Be sure to try the homemade ginger ale, and if you want booze, as of our visit, the hotel was still awaiting a liquor license, though they welcome guests to bring their own spirits and mixers which they will happily store. 

For anyone traveling on business or for a special event, the hotel also has a private dining/meeting area that can be set up.