Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts operates leading luxury properties in Colombo, including Cinnamon Grand (501 rooms), Cinnamon Lakeside (346 rooms), and the design-led Cinnamon Red.
In this interview, Kamal Munasinghe, Senior Vice President – Colombo Hotels and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, discusses the brand’s vision and how Cinnamon Life aims to redefine Colombo as a destination beyond the traditional hotel stay.
With nearly three decades of global hospitality experience across Marriott, Hyatt, and Mövenpick, Munasinghe now oversees Cinnamon’s Colombo portfolio at a pivotal moment for Sri Lanka’s largest private sector investment, helping position the capital as a destination in its own right.
Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams marks a significant moment for Colombo’s hospitality and lifestyle landscape. What was the core vision behind creating this integrated destination?
City of Dreams was envisioned as far more than just a hotel. It was conceived as a catalyst for a new Colombo. An exciting Colombo, and the City of Dreams core vision was to create Sri Lanka’s first integrated resort. It brings together a lifestyle destination featuring hospitality, dining,
entertainment, retail, wellness, and business, all in one seamless ecosystem. This has placed the city of Colombo firmly on the global leisure and MICE map and is fast being identified as the country’s key destination for entertainment. This project is about reimagining urban living and
travel experiences. We are showcasing Colombo as a confident capital with a distinct South Asian identity that feels open, dynamic, and inclusive. One which we are proud of.
As a newly launched property, how does Cinnamon City of Dreams aim to redefine the way travellers experience Colombo beyond the traditional hotel stay?
City of Dreams is designed to shift the focus from a conventional “stay” to a fully immersive experience, here in the heart of the city. Instead of operating as a standalone hotel, it functions as a vibrant lifestyle ecosystem where travellers can live, work, dine, relax, and be entertained— all within one destination that is deeply connected to Colombo’s energy.
What truly redefines the experience is the diversity of offerings, and it’s all under one roof. Our guests can move seamlessly from world-class accommodation to curated dining, nightlife, wellness, retail, and large-scale entertainment, all the while engaging with business, events, and cultural experiences. This allows travellers to experience multiple dimensions of the city, which This is why we are the heartbeat of Colombo.
The development brings together hospitality, dining, entertainment, and leisure. How do these elements come together to create a cohesive guest journey?
The strength of City of Dreams lies in how each element mentioned has been intentionally designed to complement and flow into one another, rather than exist as separate experiences. From the moment a guest arrives, the journey is curated to feel intuitive and seamless, with spaces that encourage exploration while maintaining a strong sense of place and continuity. City of Dreams sets the tone through thoughtful service and design. Culinary experiences are a key part of this ecosystem. Led by Executive Chef Anish and a diverse team of chefs, the City of Dreams features a strong portfolio of specialty dining concepts alongside social and all-day venues. Each restaurant is designed to stand on its own while contributing to the overall rhythm of the destination, ensuring dining feels integral to the guest journey rather than an add-on.
A guest’s day might begin with wellness or leisure experiences, transition into business, or even sightseeing, and then effortlessly evolve into evening dining, nightlife, or entertainment—all with ease.
There’s a consistent focus on quality, energy, and Sri Lankan hospitality. The result is a cohesive, fluid guest journey that feels dynamic yet balanced—one that adapts to different traveller profiles while delivering a unified, memorable experience.
What kind of traveller do you see connecting most strongly with City of Dreams in its first phase—leisure, business, or experience-led visitors?
In its first phase, City of Dreams is designed to resonate most strongly with experience-led travellers—those who seek more than just accommodation and are drawn to destinations that offer energy and variety. These are travellers who value personalised experiences, curated dining, entertainment, culture, and social connection, and who want their stay to reflect the pulse of the city they are visiting.
However, it is important to note that Colombo and the City of Dreams as a destination naturally appeals to a blend of segments. Business travellers are drawn by the integrated infrastructure, connectivity and scale of meeting and event spaces, while leisure travellers are attracted by the convenience of having world-class experiences, wellness and entertainment within easy reach.
What differentiates City of Dreams is its ability to allow guests to seamlessly combine work, leisure and exploration in a single stay.
Celebrations and large-scale events are a natural extension of such a destination. How do these experiences fit into the broader narrative of City of Dreams?
Celebrations and large-scale events are integral to the DNA of City of Dreams, as the destination was always envisioned as a place where life’s most meaningful moments could be brought to life at scale and with distinction. From social celebrations and cultural festivals to corporate events and global showcases, these experiences reinforce City of Dreams as a vibrant, constantly evolving stage for connection, expression and shared memories.
Within this narrative, Utsav by Cinnamon Life plays a pivotal role, particularly for the Indian market. Curated specifically to celebrate the richness, grandeur and emotional significance of Indian weddings and milestone celebrations, Utsav brings together expansive venues, bespoke décor, specialised culinary offerings and end-to-end planning expertise. Set against the backdrop of Colombo’s most iconic integrated destination, it offers families and hosts the ability to create multi-day celebrations that are immersive, seamless and deeply personal—while also introducing guests to Sri Lanka as a compelling celebration and travel destination.
More broadly, events at City of Dreams are not standalone moments; they activate the entire ecosystem. Guests attending a celebration engage with the destination’s hospitality, dining, wellness and entertainment offerings, extending their stay and deepening their experience. In this way, celebrations become a powerful expression of what City of Dreams represents—a destination where people don’t just stay or visit, but come together to celebrate, connect and create unforgettable experiences.
What is the vision behind Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams?
To create Sri Lanka’s first integrated resort combining hospitality, dining, entertainment, and business in one destination.
How is City of Dreams different from a traditional hotel?
It offers a fully immersive lifestyle experience beyond just accommodation.
What experiences can guests expect at City of Dreams Colombo?
Guests can enjoy dining, entertainment, wellness, retail, and business facilities in one place.
Who is City of Dreams designed for?
Primarily experience-led travellers, along with business and leisure guests.
How does City of Dreams enhance Colombo’s tourism appeal?
It positions Colombo as a global leisure and MICE destination.
What makes the guest journey unique at City of Dreams?
A seamless blend of services and experiences designed to flow together.
Does City of Dreams cater to events and celebrations?
Yes, it hosts large-scale events, weddings, and cultural celebrations.
What is Utsav by Cinnamon Life?
A curated offering for grand Indian weddings and milestone celebrations.
Can business and leisure be combined at City of Dreams?
Yes, it enables guests to work, relax, and explore within one destination.