Quick answer
Serviced apartments in Colombo suit a cricket series of five nights or more, especially for families and groups. Most are in high-rise buildings in Colombo 3, Colombo 4 and Colombo 7 and along the Galle Road, roughly 15 to 30 minutes from the SSC and the P Sara Oval. They offer kitchens, laundry, living space and often a pool and gym. Check daily cleaning, parking for your driver, air conditioning in every room and the building's rules on guests.
Key takeaways
- Most serviced apartments sit in Colombo 3, 4 and 7 and along the Galle Road.
- An apartment is roughly 15 to 30 minutes from the SSC and P Sara Oval in normal traffic.
- Kitchens and washing machines suit long stays and groups.
- Many apartment buildings have pools, gyms and 24-hour security.
- Check cleaning frequency, which varies from daily to weekly.
When an apartment makes sense
A serviced apartment makes most sense when you will spend five nights or more in Colombo. That might happen on a tour with a Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club followed by one-day games at the R Premadasa Stadium, or when Colombo is your base for day trips to Galle by expressway.
Families and groups benefit most. Two- and three-bedroom apartments let several people share a living room and kitchen, often for less than separate hotel rooms. A washing machine is invaluable on a long tour, when cricket shirts need washing every day.
For a two-night stay, a hotel is simpler. Apartments often have minimum stays and less flexible check-in.
An apartment also suits a tour that uses Colombo as a hub. Fans who plan to watch a Galle Test as day trips by expressway, roughly two hours each way, often prefer to come back each evening to a familiar flat rather than check in and out of hotels along the coast.
Where to find them
Colombo's serviced apartments are concentrated in the high-rise districts along the coast, in Colombo 3 (Kollupitiya) and Colombo 4 (Bambalapitiya), and in the leafier Colombo 5 and 7. Some are in new towers with sea views; others are in older buildings with larger rooms.
Colombo 7 and the Kollupitiya end of the Galle Road are closest to the Sinhalese Sports Club and the P Sara Oval, roughly 15 to 30 minutes in normal traffic. For the R Premadasa Stadium, allow 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the time of day.
- →Colombo 3 and 4: high-rise apartments, sea views.
- →Colombo 5 and 7: quieter streets, close to the SSC.
- →Galle Road: easy transport in both directions.
What to check before booking
Check what service is included. Some apartments offer daily housekeeping and a reception desk; others clean weekly and have only a building guard. If you want breakfast, ask whether it is provided or whether you will cook.
Check air conditioning in every room, including the living area, and hot water. Ask about parking and whether your driver can wait or stay nearby, as some buildings have limited space for visitors.
Read the building rules. Some residential towers limit guests, restrict noise after certain hours or ban parties, which matters for groups.
- →Housekeeping frequency and reception.
- →Air conditioning in all rooms.
- →Parking and driver access.
- →Building rules on guests and noise.
Living in Colombo between matches
Colombo has good supermarkets, bakeries and markets for self-catering, and delivery apps bring food from restaurants across the city. A kitchen lets you make a simple breakfast before an early start and save money on meals.
Between matches, the apartment becomes a base for the city: Galle Face Green at sunset, Pettah's markets, Gangaramaya Temple and the restaurants of Colombo 7. Lankan Stays & Trails can arrange day trips to Galle, Bentota or Negombo from an apartment base.
- →Supermarkets and delivery apps for self-catering.
- →Galle Face Green and Pettah markets nearby.
- →Day trips to Galle and Bentota by expressway.
Who should choose one
Serviced apartments suit families with children, groups of friends, long-stay fans who are following a whole series, and anyone working remotely during the tour. The extra space and laundry make a long trip easier.
They suit less well short stays, solo fans who want a social atmosphere, and travellers who prefer hotel services such as room service and concierge. For them, a hotel or guesthouse is simpler.
Fans arriving for the Colombo leg after a beach week often find an apartment a welcome change. Cooking a simple meal, spreading out and doing the washing make the second half of a long tour feel less like living out of a suitcase.
Frequently asked questions
Are there serviced apartments near the SSC in Colombo?
Several serviced apartments sit in Colombo 7 and along the Galle Road in Kollupitiya and Bambalapitiya, roughly 15 to 30 minutes from the Sinhalese Sports Club in normal traffic. None are directly beside the ground. Check transport and parking before booking a long stay.
Is a serviced apartment cheaper than a hotel in Colombo?
For families and groups staying five nights or more, a two- or three-bedroom apartment can cost less than several hotel rooms, especially with self-catering. For couples or short stays, a hotel may be similar in price and simpler. Compare total costs, including cleaning fees and taxes.
Do Colombo serviced apartments have washing machines?
Most serviced apartments in Colombo have a washing machine, either in the apartment or in a shared laundry, which is useful on a long cricket tour. Some also offer a laundry service. Check before booking, along with drying space, as Colombo's humidity slows drying.
How far is a Colombo apartment from the Premadasa stadium?
From apartments in Colombo 3, 4 and 7, the R Premadasa Stadium is usually 20 to 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic. After a day-night match, the drive back is often quicker once roads clear. Pre-book a driver for the return.
Are serviced apartments good for groups of cricket fans?
Serviced apartments suit groups well, with several bedrooms, a shared living room and a kitchen. Check the building's rules on guests and noise, as many are in residential towers. Confirm parking for your driver and air conditioning in every room before booking.
What is the minimum stay for serviced apartments in Colombo?
Minimum stays vary. Some serviced apartments accept one or two nights; others require three, five or seven nights, especially during busy periods. Check the policy when you book, and ask about flexible dates if the cricket schedule could change.