Visitor's Guide · Colombo
South Asia's first fully integrated resort, on the Colombo seafront.
City of Dreams Sri Lanka is South Asia's first fully integrated resort complex, opened in 2024. It is located in central Colombo, facing the Indian Ocean and combines a casino, two five-star hotels, residential and office towers and a shopping mall. Hosting world class conferencing space and more than a dozen restaurants and bars under a single roof, the complex has become a game changer in the Sri Lankan hospitality industry.
Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams is a five-star hotel inside the complex, operated by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. It is the flagship of the Cinnamon group and the largest hotel in Colombo, with over six hundred and eighty rooms and suites, multiple restaurants and bars, a spa, and meeting and event facilities. Cinnamon Life rooms are booked directly through Cinnamon Hotels or the usual hotel-booking channels.
Important distinction
The residential apartments in the same complex are separate from Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams. They share the building and the amenities, but they are privately owned units, not hotel rooms, and are booked through Airbnb rather than the hotel.
Guests staying in the apartment have more than a dozen restaurants and bars on their doorstep — no taxis, no traffic, just a lift ride away. The line-up spans Japanese, Chinese, Mediterranean, Indian and steak, alongside wine bars and rooftop lounges so a casual breakfast, a long dinner and a late drink can all happen without ever leaving the complex.
Japanese
International buffet
Steakhouse
Chinese
Mediterranean
Indian
Wine bar
Lounge bar
Cocktail bar
Nightclub
The complex is organised vertically. The casino occupies a dedicated gaming floor; the Cinnamon Life Hotel runs across the lower- and mid-level guest floors; the residential tower sits above; and the One Galle Face mall fills the podium with retail, dining, and a food court. Restaurants and bars are spread across the hotel and mall levels, with rooftop venues at the top of the complex. A central spine connects the mall, the hotel lobby, and the residential tower entrance, so guests move between them without going outdoors. Parking and arrivals are handled in the lower levels, with separate entrances for hotel guests, residents, and casino visitors.
South Asia's largest, operated by Melco Resorts and Entertainment under the City of Dreams brand.
Five-star hotel within the complex, operated by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts (a John Keells brand).
Private apartments above the hotel and retail levels — some rented short-stay on Airbnb.
Integrated shopping mall on the lower floors, with international and Sri Lankan retail.
Casual cafés, fine dining, and lounge bars across the hotel and mall levels.
Bars and event spaces high up in the complex with views across the city and ocean.
The City of Dreams Casino is operated under licence by Melco Resorts and Entertainment, the Hong Kong-listed operator behind the original City of Dreams in Macau. It is the largest gaming floor in South Asia, with table games (baccarat, blackjack, roulette, poker), electronic gaming, and a slots hall. Entry is restricted to over-21s; a passport or national ID is required at the door. Smart casual dress is expected on the main floor. Sri Lankan nationals are admitted under separate rules set by the regulator; international visitors typically pass through a short registration at the entrance.
There are two options for staying in the complex. The first is a room at the Cinnamon Life or Nuwa Hotels, booked directly with the hotel or via the usual hotel channels. An alternative is a residential apartment in the tower, booked short-stay through Airbnb — this is what we offer here, and it suits guests who want more space, a kitchen, and a self-contained home in the building. For broader Colombo context and how Galle Face compares to other neighbourhoods, see where to stay in Colombo.
The complex sits on the Galle Face seafront in Colombo 2, directly opposite Galle Face Green and the Indian Ocean. It is a ten-minute drive to Colombo Fort and the Old Dutch Hospital, fifteen minutes to the Pettah markets and Gangaramaya Temple, and roughly forty-five minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport via the expressway.
City of Dreams Sri Lanka was developed by John Keells Holdings, Sri Lanka's largest listed conglomerate. The casino operation and the Nuwa hotel are run by Melco Resorts and Entertainment, a major integrated-resort operator known for City of Dreams properties in Macau, Manila, and Cyprus. The Cinnamon Life Hotel within the complex is operated by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, a John Keells brand.
Yes. The casino at City of Dreams Sri Lanka is the largest in South Asia and is open to non-residents and hotel guests. Standard casino access policies apply — typically valid photo ID, minimum age requirements, and a smart-casual dress code. Confirm specifics directly with the casino before visiting, as policies are subject to change.
The City of Dreams Sri Lanka complex contains multiple components: a casino (South Asia's largest, operated by Melco Resorts and Entertainment), the Cinnamon Life Hotel with a range of restaurants, bars and rooftop venues, two residential towers of private apartments, an office tower and a shopping mall. Resident and hotel guests have access to a swimming pool, gym, sauna, rooftop lounge, kids play area, and 24/7 security and reception.
Yes. There are three ways to stay at City of Dreams Sri Lanka: a room at the Cinnamon Life Hotel within the complex, a casino-package stay arranged through the gaming operator, or a private apartment in the residential tower. The residential tower apartments are typically rented short-stay via platforms such as Airbnb, and offer a self-contained alternative to hotel rooms with full kitchens and separate bedrooms. A two-bedroom apartment on the 30th floor of the residential tower is available to book here.
Cinnamon Life is the hotel inside the City of Dreams Sri Lanka complex. The two names are often used interchangeably but refer to different things: City of Dreams Sri Lanka is the entire integrated resort (casino, hotel, residential tower, mall, restaurants), while Cinnamon Life is specifically the hotel component within it. Guests can also stay in private apartments in the residential tower of the complex, which is separate from the hotel.
Yes, particularly for families travelling with older children. The complex includes a swimming pool, gym, and kids play area, and is adjacent to One Galle Face Mall and Galle Face Green — both walkable. Families looking for self-contained accommodation with separate bedrooms and a kitchen often prefer the residential tower apartments over hotel rooms, particularly for longer stays.
Yes. The City of Dreams Sri Lanka complex includes a residential tower with private apartments, separate from the Cinnamon Life Hotel. Some owners rent their apartments for short stays through platforms such as Airbnb. These apartments typically offer larger floor plans than hotel rooms, full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and access to resident amenities including the gym, pool, sauna, and rooftop lounge. Our two-bedroom apartment is one such option.
Yes. The Galle Face seafront location places it among the most convenient bases for first-time visitors to Colombo — close to the historic Fort district, walkable to Galle Face Green and One Galle Face Mall, and a 45-minute drive from the airport. For a fuller comparison of Colombo accommodation areas, see our guide on where to stay in Colombo.
All bookings handled on Airbnb for enhanced safety and security.