City of Dreams Sri Lanka
Building in Colombo, Sri Lanka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
City of Dreams Sri Lanka, formerly branded as Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort, is an integrated resort in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is the first integrated resort in Sri Lanka and the largest private investment in the country.[3][4] Designed by Sri Lankan-British architect Cecil Balmond with Hyundai Engineering and Construction as the main contractor, the resort was opened to the public on 2 August 2025.[5]
| City of Dreams Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|
City of Dreams Sri Lanka - South Asia’s first integrated resort, offering luxury hotels, dining, entertainment, retail, wellness, event spaces, and a casino in one destination. | |
 Interactive map of the City of Dreams Sri Lanka area | |
| Hotel chain | Melco Resorts & Entertainment |
| General information | |
| Location | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Coordinates | 6°55′30.51″N 79°50′51.73″E |
| Opened | 2 August 2025 |
| Cost | US$1.2 billion[1] |
| Owner | Melco Resorts & Entertainment |
| Height | |
| Height | 153 metres (502 ft)[2] |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 47 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Cecil Balmond |
| Main contractor | Hyundai Engineering and Construction |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms | 800 |
| Number of restaurants | 14 |
| Website | |
| cityofdreamssrilanka | |
Construction of the resort began in 2014, and all buildings in the resort were topped off by May 2019. Although the resort was originally planned to be completed by 2018, the project was delayed several times due to various reasons. John Keells Holdings began handing over keys to the suites apartments in August 2021. With the handing over of residential and commercial units, revenue recognition started at Cinnamon Life. In April 2024, John Keells Holdings announced an agreement with Melco Resorts & Entertainment to operate the gaming facility of the development initially known as Cinnamon Life. The project was subsequently rebranded as City of Dreams Sri Lanka, marking its evolution into a fully integrated resort in partnership with Melco. With this transformation, the development expanded to include Nuwa Hotel, featuring 113 rooms, alongside the 687-room Cinnamon Life hotel, bringing the total inventory to over 800 rooms. Together, the integrated resort now comprises two hotels, a casino, fine dining experiences, entertainment offerings, retail outlets, wellness facilities, and event spaces, all within a single destination.
History
Construction
Construction of Cinnamon Life began in 2014, with Cecil Balmond as the main architect of the project and Hyundai Engineering & Construction as the main contractor. Waterfront Properties (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings, managed the property which covered 4.5 million square feet (0.42×106 m2) total floor area.[6] Over 50% of the floor area of the first residential tower was already sold by September 2016.[7] In December 2018, the 'Suites Tower' was topped off.[8]
65% of the residential tower's floor area including six penthouses out of 25 were presold by March 2019. A quarter of buyers were expatriates while 7%-8% were foreign investors, with an apartment having a starting price of US$400,000.[9] All buildings including the Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort were topped off in May 2019.[8] The project was scheduled to finish in 2018 but was eventually postponed, with completion of the Office Tower being postponed to March 2020, and the first quarter of 2023 for the hotel and retail mall. The cost of the project had also risen due to the depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar. The revenue expected from the residential apartment and commercial office space would be US$250 million.[10] Construction was paused in March 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in May 2020 while keeping up with health guidelines imposed by health authorities.[11] Prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa paid a brief impromptu visit to the site in October 2020.[12]
In December 2020, Daily Mirror reported that Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort may get licences from the government to operate casinos within the resort.[13] On the dawn of the new year, the resort's residential tower lightened up to read "2021 Hope".[14] In February 2021, the resort's office and suites towers received the certificate of conformity and were scheduled to be handed over to occupants in March 2021.[15] John Keells Properties began handing over the keys to the suites apartments in August 2021. The apartment tower consisted of 196 units with two-four bedrooms.[16] Revenue recognition at Cinnamon Life commenced after the handing over of residential and commercial units.[17]
Inauguration
On 30 April 2024, John Keells Holdings announced that the company would be partnering with Melco Resorts & Entertainment of Hong Kong to operate the gaming facility of Cinnamon Life under a Melco's subsidiary. Melco will invest US$125 million to furnish the gaming space. As part of the agreement, the resort will be rebranded as City of Dreams Sri Lanka.[5][18] Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka was declared on 15 October 2024.[19] On 2 August 2025, the resort was inaugurated and opened to the public.[20] Melco is hoping to attract tourists and gamblers from neighboring India with the City of Dreams Sri Lanka.[21]
Resort
The US$850 million investment will be the largest private investment in Sri Lanka and the resort will also include 427 apartments.[4] The hotel consists of 800 rooms and twenty restaurants and bars including six specialty restaurants. A five-storied shopping mall will connect to the hotel and the resort is expected to be a hub for MICE tourism.[8]
| Building | Floor count |
|---|---|
| Car park and exhibition center | 10 |
| Hotel | 32 |
| Car park and retail building | 12 |
| Residence Tower | 47 |
| Suites Tower | 41 |
| Office Tower | 31 |
Hotels
The integrated resort comprises two luxury hotel properties operated by different hospitality partners. The 687-room Cinnamon Life hotel is operated by John Keells Holdings, while the 113-room Nuwa Hotel is operated by Melco Resorts & Entertainment. Together, the hotels provide more than 800 rooms within the City of Dreams Sri Lanka development, forming the core accommodation component of the integrated resort.
The accommodation offering includes a range of room categories such as standard rooms, premium rooms, and suites, designed to cater to both business and leisure travellers. A significant proportion of the rooms feature views of the Colombo city skyline and the Indian Ocean, reflecting the development’s waterfront location.
The hotels are designed as part of a larger mixed-use integrated resort concept, where hospitality is combined with gaming, retail, dining, entertainment, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) facilities. This integration allows the development to function as a single destination offering a range of services within one complex, supporting both tourism and business travel demand in Colombo.
Restaurants and Bars
City of Dreams Sri Lanka features a diverse collection of restaurants, lounges, and bars offering a range of international and regional cuisines. The dining portfolio includes all-day dining venues, speciality restaurants, and premium bars and lounges.
The culinary offerings span Sri Lankan, Indian, Asian, and Western cuisines, along with specialised dining concepts such as Japanese robatayaki, mediterranean-inspired seafood dining, and American-style steakhouses. The resort also includes casual dining outlets, poolside venues, and 24-hour dining options.
Overall, the development comprises approximately 14 restaurants and bars, including food and beverage facilities located within the casino, an all-day dining buffet, poolside bar services, and multiple lounge and nightlife venues.
Bars and lounges within the development include cocktail lounges, champagne, whiskey and wine bars, and entertainment-focused venues, many of which are located on higher floors with views of the city and Indian Ocean. The dining and beverage offering is designed to cater to a variety of guest experiences, ranging from casual dining to fine dining and nightlife entertainment.
Gaming
The gaming facility at City of Dreams Sri Lanka is located on Level 6 of the integrated resort in Colombo. It spans approximately 180,000 sq. ft. and forms part of South Asia’s first fully integrated resort, combining gaming, hospitality, entertainment, retail, and MICE facilities.
The gaming operation is managed by Melco Resorts & Entertainment in partnership with John Keells Holdings.
Table Games
The gaming floor features a range of internationally recognised table games, including baccarat (traditional, non-commission, and Baccarat 27), blackjack and Dream Blackjack, roulette (single and double zero), poker variants such as Texas Hold’em and Three-Card Poker, Sic Bo, and Andar Bahar.
The table games offering is supported by live dealers and is designed to accommodate a range of player preferences, from casual gaming to high-limit play. The casino also introduces side bets across selected games, adding additional wagering options.
Table limits are structured to cater to both general and premium segments, including high-limit gaming areas with significantly higher betting thresholds.
Electronic Gaming
The electronic gaming area includes approximately 250 slot machines and electronic gaming terminals. These include multi-line video slots, progressive jackpot machines, and electronic table games such as roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and poker.
The gaming selection includes a mix of internationally recognised titles and themed machines, along with progressive jackpot systems linked across multiple terminals.
VIP Gaming
The casino includes a dedicated VIP gaming area offering high-limit gaming in an exclusive environment. This section includes a private gaming salon and club-style facilities.
Services within the VIP area include personalised hosting, dedicated cashiers, and tailored food and beverage service. The area is designed to provide a more private and controlled gaming experience for high-value guests.
Security and Operations
The gaming floor is monitored by a comprehensive surveillance system for security and operational oversight. Monitoring systems are used to support game integrity, resolve disputes, and ensure compliance with operational standards.
Standard casino security procedures, including chip control systems and access management protocols, are implemented across the gaming floor.
Responsible Gaming
City of Dreams Sri Lanka is committed to promoting responsible gaming practices and maintaining a safe gaming environment. Measures include age verification procedures, self-exclusion programmes, and access to support services for guests who may require assistance.
Information and assistance regarding responsible gaming is available through dedicated support channels, with confidentiality maintained for all participants.
MICE
Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE)
City of Dreams Sri Lanka incorporates a large-scale Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) component, positioning the development as a major business and events destination in Colombo. The resort features over 160,000 square feet of flexible event space, designed to accommodate a wide range of functions, from small corporate meetings to large-scale international conferences and exhibitions.
The MICE facilities include multiple ballrooms, meeting rooms, and outdoor venues, with spaces designed for adaptability through modular layouts and partitioning systems. Key venues include large-capacity ballrooms capable of hosting over 1,500 guests, as well as smaller meeting and boardroom spaces suited for corporate gatherings and private events.
The integrated resort is designed to support large-scale events with supporting infrastructure such as dedicated event access points, parking facilities, and on-site accommodation. The development is capable of hosting several thousand delegates across its venues, with the integration of hotels, dining, retail, and entertainment facilities allowing events to be conducted within a single destination environment.
Located in central Colombo, approximately 35-40 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport, the resort is positioned to attract regional and international business travellers. The project has been identified as a key development in positioning Colombo as an emerging hub for global conferences, exhibitions, and business tourism in South Asia.
Retail and Lifestyle
Retail and Lifestyle Experience at City of Dreams
The retail precinct at City of Dreams is located on Levels 7 and 8 of the integrated resort. It serves as a curated lifestyle and luxury shopping destination, featuring a mix of international and regional brands across fashion, beauty, accessories and lifestyle categories, along with selected dining outlets.
As part of the integrated resort development, the retail space is directly connected to the hotel and entertainment components, enabling seamless movement for guests across different experiences within the property. Designed with a modern architectural approach and an experiential retail concept, it contributes to the positioning of City of Dreams as a comprehensive lifestyle destination.