The Trans Asia bills itself as Colombo's "leading city resort." This is a bit of a delusional self-promotion and experience will demonstrate that it strains credulity.
The Trans Asia is a decent mid-budget urban hotel in a developing country. But for those desiring authentic atmosphere, the Galle Face is an obvious choice, while the businessman or well-heeled family will likely prefer the Hilton up the road.
Since Sri Lanka's travel industry still suffers from the effects of a quarter century of civil war and the occasional bus bombing even in the capital, hotels are rarely full and guests should be able to negotiate competitive rates. But make sure to get transparency in the rate. When I was quoted an attractive rate I was not told that room taxes would add another 26% to the bill.
First impressions are important and here the Trans Asia failed to satisfy. Checking in very late at night after the long ride from the airport and in urgent need to get online to do work, it took nearly two hours for the front desk to get their act together to get my wi-fi internet account activated. I had asked for the one week net access package and this caused some consternation as they asked me to accept a 24-hour package and then order the one-week rate from dayside staff. Not wanted to pay more than I should (and internet access in the hotel is exorbitant) I refused and insisted on them activating the one-week package. A good hotel should prepare to check in its guests properly at any hour of the day or night.
I must acknowledge that I hit the hotel at a very busy time with a major iregional summit getting underway and strict security measures in place but with few notable exceptions staff seem harried, gruff and not well trained in handling business type guests.
My impression is that the hotel does a lot of Asian and European tour package business where guests briefly transit here en route to more exotic domestic locales and the Trans Asia is a non-demanding way station. For package travelers the Trans Asia may indeed be sufficient.
I found the food to be satisfactory but not outstanding. A lobby sushi bar is a nice try and the fish edible (only two types of fish locally caught) but certainly not Japanese cuisine to win rave reviews from discerning international travelers.
The Library semi-private bar is a nice retreat and has a modest selection of beers, single malts and other libations, as well as live entertainment on some nights, along with games, including billiards. It was probably the nicest part of the hotel.
The rooms themselves are OK, but nothing exceptional. The TV is the standard mid-budget hotel type, no fancy large LCD screens here yet. Wi-fi was very reliable and of decent speed, but, as mentioned, expensive.
The room had few amenities -- it's always nice to have some fancy soaps, luxury shampoos, a dental kit and razor. None of that here.
Next visit I'm inclined, if if significantly more expensive, to stay at the Galle Face, which some colleagues gave rave reviews.
