Review: Serendib lounge, Colombo International Airport

I had a layover of just over three hours in Colombo. Sri Lankan Airlines uses the Serendib lounge for its business class guests and elite tier members at CMB international airport. So that's where I headed, in transit, waiting for my UL563 flight to Paris. Here's a review of the lounge.


Index of posts

Review: Serendib Lounge, Colombo International Airport
Review: Le Meridien Etoile, Paris
Review: Sri Lankan's lounge at Paris CDG
Review: Paris to Colombo on Sri Lankan A330-200 international business class

Lounge review

The lounge is located on the right when you come down the only concourse at CMB, near the duty free shops. I had to cross a "security barrier" in order to access this side of the floor (arrivals and immigration are on the opposite side), which involved showing our boarding passes for the onward flight, to security personnel.

The lounge itself is pretty spacious and I estimate could hold about 100 guests. It was practically empty when we entered around 10.20 pm, though it almost filled up to capacity over the next couple of hours.

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport

We were welcomed by a couple of very friendly agents of the airline, who informed us of the facilities at the lounge, and that they'd come to collect us when it was time for business class boarding.

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - welcome area

As I mentioned earlier, there's a fair amount of seating in the lounge, as couches and also two- and four-seater tables in the dining area.

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - seating 

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - seating 

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - dining area

The lounge also has a spa, located on the left as soon as you enter the lounge.

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - spa

I wanted to try the spa out, but it was occupied at the time, and I didn't bother going back again.

The lounge also has a sort of quiet room for relaxation - possibly modelled on the lines of the one at Etihad's new first class lounge and spa at Abu Dhabi, though nowhere as cool or over-the-top!

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - relaxation room

We sat by the windows, which offered us views of one side of the concourse / pier.

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - views

The lounge has a small bar, which was staffed at all times I was at the lounge.

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - bar

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - bar

The bar is located in the dining area, and served a reasonably good variety of beers, spirits and soft drinks. There was also Piper Heidsieck champagne on offer.

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - bar

Of course I had a glass of the stuff!

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - champagne

Food service was a pretty good buffet spread, incorporating Sri Lankan and Indian cuisines, as well as some international favourites, salads, starters, sandwiches, and a selection of desserts, fruit and cake.

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - dinner buffet

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - dinner buffet

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - dinner buffet 

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - dinner buffet

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - dinner buffet

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - dinner buffet

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - dinner buffet

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - dinner buffet

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - dinner buffet

There was also fruit juice, tea and coffee on offer.

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - dinner buffet


Overall, I found the food to be of pretty high standard.

Lounge service was also exceptionally good, with service staff clearing used plates, glasses and cutlery, every 10 minutes or so.

The lounge has attached toilets, so you don't need to leave the lounge to find those facilities. The toilets were clean and seemed to be well maintained.

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - washroom

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - washroom 

They even had travel packs of dental and shaving kits, which I felt was a thoughtful addition in the lounge.

Serendib Lounge at CMB airport - washroom

For those interested, there's no smoking section within the lounge. However, there's a smoking area located just outside, between the lounge and the duty free shop.

About 35 minutes before our scheduled departure, we were informed by the lounge staff that business class was boarding, and so we headed out to the departure gates for security checks and boarding.

Overall impressions

Sri Lankan has done a rather good job with this lounge. There's ample seating, the F&B is of a high standard, and service is excellent. As overall lounge experiences go, this is definitely one of the better ones that I've visited.

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