Hilton Colombo
| Company type | State-owned enterprise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Fate | Delisted from Colombo Stock Exchange in 2020; became fully government-owned |
| Headquarters | Colombo , Sri Lanka |
| Owner | Government of Sri Lanka |
| Parent | Hilton Hotels & Resorts (brand operated under) |
Hilton Colombo is a luxury five-star hotel situated in Colombo, Sri Lanka, operating under the renowned Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand. The property is owned by Hotel Developers (Lanka) Ltd, a company founded in 1983 and publicly traded on the Colombo Stock Exchange starting in 1984. The hotel commenced operations in 1987 and commemorated its 30th anniversary in 2017 with the issuance of a special stamp and first day cover. In 2020, Hotel Developers (Lanka) Ltd was removed from the stock exchange and transitioned to full ownership by the Government of Sri Lanka, functioning as a state-owned enterprise.
History
Established in 1983, Hotel Developers (Lanka) Ltd was listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange the following year. Early financial difficulties arose due to insufficient funding from promoters for construction, leading the Government of Sri Lanka to back a yen-denominated loan amounting to LKR1.3 billion. Consequently, majority ownership shifted to the government. The hotel occupies land leased from the Land Commissioner General's Department; however, failure to pay lease fees resulted in termination and reversion of the leasehold. Hilton Colombo officially opened its doors in 1987 and celebrated three decades of operation in 2017 with special postal commemorations. After undergoing renovations, it introduced new dining concepts including Graze Kitchen and the L.A.B lounge. The company was delisted from public trading in 2020 and is now entirely government-owned, operating as a state enterprise.
COVID-19 pandemic
The hotel temporarily ceased operations following confirmation of a staff member testing positive for COVID-19.
Operations
Hilton Colombo hosts Sri Lanka’s largest Oktoberfest, having held its 27th annual event in 2019. In 2021, it earned recognition as one of the premier workplaces within the country.
Amenities
Adjacent to the World Trade Center Colombo, Hilton Colombo offers a total of 382 guest rooms along with 36 suites. It features seven food and beverage outlets: Graze Kitchen (buffet-style), Curry Leaf (specializing in Sri Lankan dishes), Cafe Kai, Stella (karaoke lounge), L.A.B, SunsetBlu (an "all-day club" launched toward the end of 2020), and Emperor's Wok. Additional facilities include a swimming pool, fitness centre, plus comprehensive meeting and banquet spaces.