Need to know
Rooms
Eight, including two suites.
Check–Out
11am. Earliest check-in, 2pm. Both are flexible, subject to availability.
Rates
Double rooms from $156.57, excluding tax at 28.7 per cent.
More details
Rates include an à la carte breakfast of Continental, English, American and Sri Lankan dishes, as well as made-to-order, vitamin-packed smoothies.
Also
Kynsey Road was once the Harley Street of Colombo; Dr Hallock had his own thriving surgery in what is now the Chrysanthie suite.
At the hotel
Lounge, free WiFi throughout. In rooms: TV, DVD player, iPod dock, minibar, free bottled water.
Our favourite rooms
Dressed in rich heritage hues, Maniumpathy’s eight colonial-chic suites are named after the much-loved women of the Hallock family who’ve owned this stately house for five generations. With an ebony four-poster bed swathed in crimson drapes, Master Suite Annapuranie is the most theatrical of them; we also love its private garden and the roll-top tub big enough for two. Split-level Chrysantie has an inviting sofa bed on a mezzanine; although smaller, the ground-floor Vasanthi and Anithra suites have imposing king-size beds and secret gardens to lounge in.
Poolside
Maniumpathy’s freshwater pool may be small, but the genteel courtyard, inviting sunloungers and masses of tropical foliage make it a picturesque spot for a cooling dip.
Packing tips
Bring a copy of Cinnamon Gardens by Shyam Selvadurai to thumb by the pool, for an evocative peek at life in 1920s Ceylon.
Also
Ground-floor suites are accessible to wheelchair users, as are the lounge and dining areas.
Children
Over-5s are welcome. Children can stay on the sofa bed in the Annapuranie and Chrysanthie suites (US$45 a night for 5–10 year-olds and US$65 for older children, excluding tax). The restaurant has highchairs and can adapt the menu for picky eaters.