The Indian Ocean slammed the banks of Colombo’s Galle Face Beach with unrelenting abandon, the wind carrying it with brute force, spraying us with a fine salty mist. Standing on the elevated brick promenade, we watched the frothing waters, the locals seemingly oblivious to its never ending wrath, walking along the edge of the concrete shoreline as if it was a sunny Sunday morning at the park.

ONE OF THE NUMEROUS CLOCK TOWERS IN COLOMBO

It was our first time in Sri Lanka. And after being picked up at the airport by our tour car from JNW Lanka Tours and driving for almost an hour through its highways, zigging and zagging into the city, dodging numerous trishaws (tuktuks) along the way, we finally arrived in Colombo, the country’s capital city.

One of the first things I noticed about Sri Lanka were the proliferation of clock towers on its rotundas. It seems that every town has its own one. Lo and behold, even the hotel we’re staying at in Colombo is named after it, its interiors replete with all sorts of things that go tick tock. I’m not sure where this obsession is coming from, but it is quite interesting, to say the least.

FUNKY WALL WITH SRI LANKAN CULTURAL ICONOGRAPHIES AT THE LOBBY

GAMES AND BOOK EXCHANGE NOOK, VERY HOSTEL-LIKE

The Clock Inn Colombo was our lodging of choice in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city. Situated along the city’s main artery, Galle Road, it is set on an unassuming white building a block away from the Indian Ocean. From the lobby, we could see a part of the sea, but unfortunately, we were too pressed for time to make even a single visit along its coast.

SNAZZY MACS AT THE COMPUTER STATION

Even though Clock Inn Colombo is tagged as a budget hotel, you’d never really think it to be so once you enter its second floor lobby. The receiving area is spacious, tastefully decorated and very clean. It does have that chic hostel feel without the mess. The local guy manning the front desk was also quite helpful, checking us in and leading us to our room at the third floor.

FUNKY STAIRWELL LEADING TO THE ROOMS UPSTAIRS

The hotel is a combination of dorm and private rooms. They have a total of seven dormitories with four to six beds each and an unknown number of private rooms. We were lodged on one of the latter.

OUR PRIVATE ROOM

WITH EN SUITE TOILET AND BATH, TOWELS AND TOILETRIES ALL PROVIDED FOR

Our room is a bit tight on space—kinda reminding me of Red Planet Makati—typical of budget hotels. That’s not to say that it isn’t comfortable, the queen-size bed dominating the area. Amazingly, it manages to even fit in a work table, complete with a funky chair, and a cable television cabinet. It is air-conditioned and has an en suite toilet and bath.

THE SPACIOUS LOUNGE AND DINING AREA

For its price [CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY], it’s a good enough deal, especially since breakfast is complimentary. The in-house kitchen and general lounge area is located on the second floor of the building, right at the back of the lobby. Generally, a staff cooks whatever is available for breakfast for you, just request it from him nicely.

PART OF OUR TYPICAL BREAKFAST AT CLOCK INN COLOMBO

I’m not sure if there is a limit to what you can eat though, since we stuffed ourselves full with omelets, hotdogs, instant noodles and breads every morning. If those aren’t your thing, you’re free to cook whatever you want on their kitchen too, there are nearby grocery shops for your culinary needs.

STORE SELLING ALL SORTS OF NUTS & CRISPS NEAR CLOCK INN COLOMBO, DELICOUS STUFF!

While we thought about cooking something up ourselves for our dinner after our Colombo city tour, we were simply too exhausted to do so. Luckily, Clock Inn Colombo is near to several local eateries and even a KFC. So we simply strolled along the quiet sidewalks of Galle and acquainted ourselves to local Sri Lankan dishes.

A DISH OF KOTU, ACQUANTING OURSELVES WITH SRI LANKAN FOOD AT THE NEARBY EATERIES

We stayed for two nights at the Clock Inn Colombo, first during our first day in Sri Lanka, and the second time, during our last day after exploring the country. We enjoyed our stay on both times.
~ OUR GRATITUDE TO CLOCK INN COLOMBO FOR ACCOMMODATING US DURING OUR TIME IN COLOMBO. VIEWS & OPINIONS, ALL MINE.

 

Clock Inn Colombo
Address: No. 457 Galle Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Contact Number: +94 112-500-588
Email: info@clockinn.lk
GPS Coordinates Map: 6.897307, 79.854361

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